AI adoption: Lessons from Salesforce's Trailblazer community

The charity sector has quietly been at the forefront of innovation, embracing transformative solutions while balancing resource limitations and a focus on mission. The Salesforce’s Nonprofit Pulse Report 2024 highlights this silent innovation, showing how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower charities to expand their impact. 

 

According to the report, 23% of charity workers are eager to learn about AI, while 22% express cautious optimism, signaling a growing interest in leveraging technology. By connecting with peers, upskilling teams, and tapping into the power of community, nonprofits are preparing themselves for a future driven by technology.

 

The power of community in AI readiness

AI adoption goes beyond simply implementing tools—it’s about building confidence and fostering collaboration. The Salesforce Nonprofit Trailblazer Community is at the core of this effort, uniting nonprofit professionals who share similar challenges and aspirations. This vibrant network empowers charities to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and discover practical solutions together. Being part of this community ensures that nonprofits are not navigating the AI journey in isolation, but instead thriving through shared support and inspiration.

 

To see the community’s impact firsthand, watch this inspiring video showcasing nonprofit professionals coming together to share insights, learn, and grow:

 

Salesforce’s AI Readiness Guide, a step-by-step resource to assess AI readiness and implement ethical practices, provides a practical roadmap for nonprofits, offering strategies to assess readiness, identify use cases, and adopt AI responsibly. It’s complemented by Trailhead’s free AI learning paths, which include ethical AI practices and step-by-step journeys to integrating AI effectively. Together, these resources empower charities to take bold steps into the future.

 

Download the Readiness Guide

 

 

The AI opportunity for charities

 

The world is embracing AI, and charities have a chance to harness its transformative power. Salesforce’s report shows growing interest, with 37% of nonprofit professionals highlighting workload reduction as a key area where AI could make a difference, and 26% emphasizing improved staff well-being. Generative AI tools can supercharge fundraising, streamline operations, and help organisations connect with communities more effectively.

 

AI doesn’t replace people; it enhances their work. Predictive AI, for example, empowers fundraisers to deepen donor relationships and forecast outcomes, ensuring resources go further. Generative AI tools can simplify content creation, enabling teams to focus on what matters most—making an impact.

 

 

Start your AI journey with confidence

 

Charities can start small. Experiment with accessible tools like ChatGPT or Notion.ai, and leverage resources like Salesforce’s Trailhead to upskill teams. Trailhead, Salesforce’s free learning platform offering courses like Ethical AI for Nonprofits and CRM tools, offers free learning paths on ethical AI, CRM systems, and more. Practical training builds confidence and ensures charities adopt AI responsibly.

 

Zoe Amar’s Charity Skills Report 2024, which underscores the need for digital upskilling, reveals that 78% of charity leaders see digital transformation as critical to their future success, and emphasises the importance of upskilling to address digital challenges. According to the report, nonprofits that prioritise training are better positioned to adapt to new technologies and enhance their impact. The Salesforce Office of Ethical and Humane Use, which guides responsible and inclusive AI adoption, also provides guidelines to ensure AI is adopted responsibly and inclusively.

 

 

Community and collaboration: the key to AI success

 

The Salesforce Nonprofit Trailblazer Community is a collective of dedicated professionals who come together to inspire, learn, and solve challenges as one. It’s more than just a space for sharing strategies; it’s a place where victories are celebrated, lessons are exchanged, and bold ideas turn into transformative action. It also offers countless regional hubs across the UK and Europe, providing tailored support and opportunities to collaborate on localised issues. For those seeking to leverage technology, the AI for Nonprofits Hub stands out. This dedicated group explores how artificial intelligence can revolutionise nonprofit operations, providing practical insights, peer discussions, and actionable strategies to make the most of AI’s potential.

 

For instance, in the Salesforce Nonprofit Trailblazer Community, members have shared stories of a local charity using AI to streamline their grant applications, freeing up hours of staff time to focus on building connections with beneficiaries. Fundraisers have also highlighted how data insights have enabled them to personalise donor outreach, leading to stronger, more meaningful relationships. These aren’t just theoretical outcomes—they reflect the tangible impact of collaboration and innovation within this vibrant community.

 

Join the AI for Nonprofits Hub, where members share actionable insights and success stories. This group is tailored to help nonprofits harness AI’s transformative potential. Together, we can unlock the future of AI with confidence, backed by a community that supports and uplifts each other.

 

Imagine a space where nonprofit professionals come together, not just to share strategies, but to inspire one another, to celebrate victories big and small, and to tackle challenges head-on as a united force. This is the Salesforce Nonprofit Trailblazer Community—a vibrant hub where purpose-driven leaders connect and transform ideas into action.

 

For those who’ve embraced this community will have seen stories like  a small charity discovering how AI can simplify grant applications, a fundraiser learning to use data insights to forge deeper connections with donors, or a team finding encouragement when the road gets tough. These are not just anecdotes—they’re the real, human results of collaboration and innovation.

 

 

Act today 

 

Your AI journey can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. The Salesforce Nonprofit Trailblazer Community brings together the collective power of peers and experts to help you move forward with confidence. By joining the community, you’ll have access to invaluable discussions, shared knowledge, and practical resources to guide your AI adoption.

 

Use the AI Readiness Guide to assess your organisation’s readiness and build a strategic roadmap. Engage with others in the AI for Nonprofits Hub to ask questions, start discussions, and share your own insights. It’s a great way to stay connected, learn continuously, and tackle challenges collaboratively.

 

Together, we can harness the power of AI and turn innovation into meaningful impact. Why not start a discussion yourself? It’s a great way to introduce yourself, stay engaged, share insights, and see where everyone else is on their readiness journey. Take the first step – join the community and move forward together.