AI for Nonprofits Learning Lab — Silicon Valley — Wed Nov 05 2025
Hands-on AI training for nonprofits & funders— led by national and local experts and aimed at building the capacity of mission-led leaders to responsibly deploy AI solutions. Financial scholarships available – info on how to apply below!
Event
AI for Nonprofits Learning Lab — Silicon Valley — Wed Nov 05 2025
Wednesday, November 5 @ 11:30 AM PST
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2025-11-05 11:30:00
2025-11-05 16:00:00
America/Los_Angeles
AI for Nonprofits Learning Lab — Silicon Valley — Wed Nov 05 2025
<h2><strong>Building the Future of AI... Together in Silicon Valley!</strong></h2>
<p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: #000000">Led by AI experts and MCed by Darian Rodriguez Heyman, the bestselling author of the new book, <em>AI for Nonprofits,</em> 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—ethically, strategically, and effectively—to unlock AI’s potential for good.</span></p>
<p>Co-hosted by <strong><a href="https://www.thrivealliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Thrive - The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County,</a></strong> <a href="https://www.jobtrainworks.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><strong>JobTrain</strong></a>, <strong><a href="#" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN)</a></strong>, and <a href="https://thestartupuniverse.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><strong>Startup Universe</strong></a><strong>,</strong> this Learning Lab will convene mission-led leaders from across the San Francisco Bay Area. Each delegate will enjoy a full day of practical, tactical tips and tools plus networking opportunities, receive a complimentary boxed lunch, and take home a discounted, signed copy of <em>AI for Nonprofits</em>.</p>
<p>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 vastly enhance productivity and automate rote functions, while advancing 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, "<em>community in action."</em></p>
<p>Registration is limited — first-come, first-served — so register now to secure your spot.</p>
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<h2>Silicon Valley Learning Lab Program:</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>11:30 AM – </strong><strong>Registration, Lunch & Genius Bar Kickoff</strong><br>Grab a boxed lunch, connect with peers, and meet our AI Genius Bar team. Share a project idea, desired tool, or communications challenge — and our experts will work behind the scenes throughout the day to build custom solutions just for you!</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>12:00 – </strong><strong>Opening Remarks,</strong> Darian Rodriguez Heyman & Co-Hosts</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>12:15 – </strong><strong>Workshop:</strong> <strong>An Intro to AI for Good</strong>, Darian Rodriguez Heyman</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>1:00 – </strong> <strong>Keynote:</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Beyond AI Resistance — Human-Centered Adoption Strategy for Nonprofits</strong>, Beth Kanter</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>1:45 – </strong><strong>Break</strong></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>2:00 – </strong> <strong>Executive Roundtable:</strong> <strong>Solutions Salon, </strong>Moderated by Darian Rodriguez Heyman</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>2:55 – </strong><strong>Workshop:</strong> <strong>Beyond ChatGPT — Practical AI Tools That Transform Fundraising, </strong>Gayle Roberts, CFRM</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>3:40 – </strong><strong>Genius Bar Reveal</strong><br> Our Genius Bar experts return to the stage to present the tools, templates, and assets they built during the day — giving you a firsthand look at what’s possible when AI meets nonprofit needs.</li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt"><strong>4:00 PM – </strong><strong>Closing & Farewell</strong><br><br><br></li>
</ul>
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<h2>Session Descriptions</h2>
<h3><strong>An Intro to AI for Good </strong>|<strong> </strong>Facilitated by <a href="https://helpingpeoplehelp.com/about" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Darian Rodriguez Heyman</a></h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong>Learning Objectives:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Master AI Fundamentals</strong> – Understand what AI excels at and where human oversight is essential</li>
<li><strong>Implement Risk Mitigation </strong>– Learn practical safeguards to protect your organization's data, reputation, and stakeholder trust</li>
<li><strong>Prompt Engineering Fluency </strong>– Craft more effective queries to maximize AI output quality, whatever you’re asking for</li>
</ul>
<h3> </h3>
<h3>Beyond AI Resistance: Human-Centered Adoption Strategy for Nonprofit | Keynote Speaker <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethkanter/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Beth Kanter</a></h3>
<p>Facing pressure to adopt AI while wrestling with concerns about ethics, environmental impact, and staff displacement? This keynote cuts through the anxiety to explore research-based human-AI collaboration that preserves your organization's values and amplifies mission impact. You'll learn practical strategies for championing responsible AI adoption—from addressing FOBO (Fear of Being Obsolete) to helping staff adopt AI that saves time and enhances human skills.</p>
<p><strong>Learning Objectives:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Champion AI Organizational Adoption – </strong>Build buy-in from leadership and overcome staff resistance with evidence-based approaches</li>
<li><strong>Human-AI Collaboration – </strong>Learn when to automate rote tasks to work faster and when to use AI to enhance skills to work smarter</li>
<li><strong>Build Robust Staff AI Literacy – </strong>Create learning opportunities that develop AI tech skills alongside critical thinking and human enduring skills</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h3><strong>Executive Roundtable: Solutions Salon | </strong><strong>Facilitated by </strong><a href="https://helpingpeoplehelp.com/about" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Darian Rodriguez Heyman</a></h3>
<p>After you grab lunch, we'll invite you to get into conversation with your fellow delegates in dialogue-driven roundtables. 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 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.</p>
<h3>Beyond ChatGPT: Practical AI Tools That Transform Fundraising | Facilitated by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayleroberts/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Gayle Roberts, CFRM</a></h3>
<p>Ready to move beyond basic AI experimentation and discover tools that revolutionize your fundraising results? This fast-paced workshop cuts through the hype to reveal how development teams are already using AI to streamline donor communications, enhance campaign strategy, and dramatically improve fundraising outcomes—all while staying true to their organizational values. We'll explore vetted AI solutions beyond ChatGPT and other leading LLMs, enabling you to go from dabbling with AI to using it in ways that actually help you get more dollars in the door. Join us and gain practical strategies for intentional implementation that save time, increase donor engagement, and drive measurable results.</p>
<p><strong>Learning Objectives: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Discover Game-Changing Tools</strong> – Explore proven AI platforms specifically designed for fundraising that outperform general chatbots in donor research, prospect identification, and campaign optimization </li>
<li><strong>Streamline Donor Communications</strong> – Master AI-powered approaches for personalizing appeals, crafting compelling grant proposals, and maintaining authentic donor relationships at scale </li>
<li><strong>Enhance Strategic Decision-Making </strong>– Learn how AI analytics can inform campaign timing, donor segmentation, and resource allocation for maximum fundraising impact </li>
</ul>
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<h2><strong>Scholarships:</strong></h2>
<p>Scholarships provided by<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.stratovation.digital/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><strong>Stratovation Partners</strong>.</a> 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.</p>
<p><strong>Needs-Based Financial Scholarships</strong> — full and partial financial scholarships are available to delegates who apply.</p>
<p><a href="https://airtable.com/appGxIay3e6sRU4Hl/pagVJFDD6ftXWU5eH/form" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Delegates may apply for scholarships via this online form.</a></p>
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<h2>Venue Information:</h2>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.sobrato.com/sobrato-philanthropies/what-we-do/non-profit-sustainability/conference-space-nonprofit-centers/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sobrato Foundation >> Conference Center</a> |</strong> <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/z99WxCZcA4Mr5vbCA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, CA 94065</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Coat Check</li>
<li>Power Outlets for Extension Cords and Surge Protectors</li>
<li>Wifi</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h3><strong>Parking Information:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Free Onsite Parking at the Sobrato Conference Center</li>
<li><a href="https://www.spotangels.com/map?spLng=-122.257869&spLat=37.520389&spAddress=330-350%20Twin%20Dolphin%20Drive,%20Redwood%20City,%20San%20Mateo%20County,%20California,%2094065,%20USA&lng=-122.257869&lat=37.520389&zoom=15" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">SpotAngels</a> — nearby parking garage and pricing</li>
</ul>
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<h3><strong>Transit Information:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>From San Francisco</strong>: 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</li>
<li><strong>From San Jose</strong>: 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</li>
<li><strong>Alternate Transportation from San Carlos Station: </strong> Use rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h2>Thank You to Our Local Sponsors, Partners, and Hosts:</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.thrivealliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://givebutter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/USUUzMBy4NksRvb1gwLKq5BUlRg3y0VgZkJXTglV.png" alt width="300" height="176"><img src="https://givebutter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/w8QVgv0nTJhQMsRAJlF7N5MlRiDU65qjAbyZmVxA.png" width="300" height="179"></a> <a href="https://www.jobtrainworks.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://givebutter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/BWt92ohoL7ctk72auPlW5jlX06mCwU38M7adGBl4.png" alt width="302" height="177"><img src="https://givebutter.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/dfIE1DWYBwOcXz28vAkLPTyZUQC2zkVA02owpxXx.png" width="302" height="179"></a></p>
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<h3>Refund and Ticket Transfer Policies</h3>
<p><strong><em>AI for Nonprofits has a no-refund policy; all sales are final. </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ticket transfers are allowed up to 48 hours before your Local Learning Lab. </em></strong>To request a ticket transfer, a registered delegate must email their request to <a href="mailto:[email protected] " rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">[email protected] </a> 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.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 16pt">Contact Us | <strong> <a href="mailto:maito:[email protected] " target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">[email protected] </a></strong></span></p>
Sobrato Foundation<br>
330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA
