Building the Future of AI... Together in Silicon Valley!

Led by AI experts and MCed by Darian Rodriguez Heyman, bestselling author of the new book, AI for Nonprofits, AI4NP Learning Labs are one-day, hands-on interactive workshops designed to help nonprofit and foundation professionals, consultants, and other changemakers harness the power of human-centered artificial intelligence to unlock AI's potential for good.

Sponsored by Diligent and co-hosted by Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN) and The Nonprofit Fundraising Forum, the Learning Lab will convene mission-led leaders from across the San Francisco Bay Area on October 6, 2026. Last year’s Silicon Valley Learning Lab sold out, with over 130 nonprofits represented, and by the end of the half-day program, 85% of delegates confirmed they were much more comfortable and excited to responsibly adopt AI tools, so we expect this year to fill up fast. Each delegate will enjoy practical, tactical tips and tools plus networking opportunities, and take home a free, signed copy of AI for Nonprofits.

Our program will begin with Heyman presenting a quick overview of the basics, including tips for mitigating risks associated with AI adoption, understanding AI’s superpowers, and best practices for prompt engineering, or learning how to “speak” AI. From there, delegates will enjoy several dynamic workshops led by the sector’s leading minds, with a focus on how AI can build your capacity and advance your goals around fundraising and grantmaking, marketing and community engagement, and program delivery and evaluation. You’ll also have a chance to mingle with your fellow attendees, introduce your work, and exchange challenges and corresponding solutions, experiencing what we think of as, “community in action.”

Registration is limited (first-come, first-served!) so register now to secure your spot.

Silicon Valley Learning Lab Program:

12:00 – Doors Open, Coffee & Networking
12:30 – Opening Remarks, Darian Rodriguez Heyman & Co-Hosts
12:45 – Workshop: An Intro to AI for Good, Darian Rodriguez Heyman
1:45 – Break
2:00 – Keynote: Cutting Through the AI Hype: What Nonprofits Actually Need to Know, Jim Fruchterman
2:45 – Executive Roundtable: Solutions Salon, Moderated by Darian Rodriguez Heyman
3:45 – Case Study: AI in Action at Larkin Street Youth Services, Kim Ghatalia
4:15 PM – Closing & Farewell

Session Descriptions

An Intro to AI for Good | Facilitated by Darian Rodriguez Heyman
Ready to demystify artificial intelligence and unlock its potential for your nonprofit or foundation? Led by your Learning Lab MC, this dynamic workshop provides essential knowledge every mission-driven leader needs to navigate the AI landscape confidently and responsibly. You’ll be guided through AI’s core concepts, practical risk mitigation strategies, and the fundamentals of prompt engineering: the key skill for effectively “speaking” AI and amplifying your impact across fundraising, marketing, program delivery, and evaluation.

Learning Objectives:

Master AI Fundamentals: Understand what AI excels at and where human oversight is essential
Risk Mitigation Strategies: Learn practical safeguards to protect your organization’s data, reputation, and stakeholder trust
Prompt Engineering Fluency: Craft more effective requests to maximize AI output quality, whatever you’re asking for

Executive Roundtable: Solutions Salon | Facilitated by Darian Rodriguez Heyman
During these dynamic, dialogue-driven roundtables, we’ll invite you to get into conversation with your fellow delegates and work together to move all your work forward. In these highly interactive, intimate “thinkubators,” every attendee will not only introduce their work to the group, but more importantly, identify and solve current cultural, technical, and operational challenges, especially those associated with responsibly adopting AI solutions. Come prepared to discuss your single most pressing challenge and witness the power of community in action as our seasoned facilitator ensures that everyone leaves with their needs for resources, contacts, and ideas fulfilled!

Keynote: Cutting Through the AI Hype: What Nonprofits Actually Need to Know | Jim Fruchterman, Founder, Tech Matters & Author, Technology for Good

Everyone's talking about AI… but is your organization ready to separate signal from noise? In this workshop, a renowned MacArthur Fellow and tech-for-good pioneer will draw on three decades of building technology for the social sector to deliver the practical, hype-free perspective nonprofit leaders need right now. Jim will explore why the sector’s technology gap is widening in the age of AI, what kinds of organizations are actually seeing results, and where the real opportunities lie for nonprofits that don’t have dedicated tech teams or data scientists on staff. You’ll walk away with a clear-eyed understanding of what AI can and can’t do for your organization today. You’ll also receive a framework for making smart, mission-aligned technology investments without chasing trends.

Learning Objectives:

Separate Hype from Reality: Understand what AI can realistically deliver for nonprofits right now, and where the technology still falls short for the communities you serve
Close the Tech Gap: Learn practical strategies for strengthening your organization’s technology foundation, even without dedicated tech staff or large budgets
Make Mission-Aligned Tech Decisions: Apply a framework for evaluating technology investments that prioritizes impact over trendiness and puts the people you serve first

AI in Action: How Larkin Street Youth Services Is Transforming Impact with AI | Kim Ghatalia, Rosebud Consulting; Strategy and Operations Consultant, Larkin Street Youth Services

What does it look like when a nonprofit goes all-in on AI and gets results? In this straight-talking case study, our seasoned speaker will share the real-world story of how one of San Francisco’s most respected youth-serving organizations has successfully integrated AI into its work. From the early decisions to scope the initiative for success to its implementation, including the challenges along the way, Kim will walk you through what worked, what didn’t, and what hard-won lessons learned best stand to support your adoption efforts. She’ll offer you a candid, practitioner-level blueprint for bringing AI from concept to impact in your nonprofit.

Learning Objectives:

Learn from a Real-World Case Study: Hear how Larkin Street Youth Services adopted AI, including strategic decisions, staff engagement, and change management, operational implementation, and the pitfalls to avoid
Navigate Implementation Challenges: Understand the practical hurdles a mission-driven organization faces when integrating AI, and how to overcome them
Translate Lessons to Your Organization: Walk away with actionable takeaways you can apply to your own AI adoption journey, regardless of your organization’s size or stage

Scholarships:

AI4NP is committed to accessibility, and we are making a limited amount of financial support available for each local Learning Lab. We do not ask for financial information.

Needs-Based Financial Scholarships: full and partial financial scholarships are available to delegates who apply.

Delegates may apply for scholarships via this online form.

Venue Information:

Sobrato Foundation >> Conference Center | 330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, CA 94065

Power Outlets for Extension Cords and Surge Protectors
Wifi

Parking Information:

Free Onsite Parking at the Sobrato Conference Center
SpotAngels: nearby parking garage and pricing

Transit Information:

From San Francisco: Take Caltrain San Jose Diridon to San Carlos, walk to San Carlos Station, take bus 260 to Redwood Shores Parkway, then a ten-minute walk to the Sobrato Conference Center
From San Jose: Take Caltrain San Jose Diridon to San Carlos, walk to San Carlos Station, take bus 260 to Redwood Shores Parkway, then a ten-minute walk to the Sobrato Conference Center
Alternate Transportation from San Carlos Station: Use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft

Thank You to Our Sponsor and Co-Hosts:

Sponsor:

Co-Hosts:

Refund and Ticket Transfer Policies

AI for Nonprofits has a no-refund policy; all sales are final.

Ticket transfers are allowed up to 48 hours before your Local Learning Lab. To request a ticket transfer, a registered delegate must email their request to gabby@ai4np.org from the email they used to complete their original registration, and must include the full name and email of the person they wish to transfer their ticket to. The AI for Nonprofits team will transfer the ticket to the person designated by the original ticket purchaser.

Contact Us | gabby@ai4np.org

AI for Nonprofits Learning Lab: Silicon Valley (Oct 06, 2026)