In Development

AI governance for the Third Sector

A mission-aligned guide for non-profits, NGOs, charities, and social enterprises navigating AI governance with limited resources but high ethical standards.

Mission-Critical Governance

Why This Guide Exists

Third sector organisations face unique governance challenges that generic enterprise guidance doesn't address.

Mission Alignment

Your AI use must serve your mission, not undermine it. This guide ensures governance supports your values and doesn't become bureaucratic overhead that diverts resources from your cause.

Resource Constraints

You can't afford dedicated AI governance teams or expensive tools. This guide provides low-cost, volunteer-friendly approaches that work with your reality, not against it.

Higher Standards

Public trust is your currency. You're held to higher ethical standards than commercial organisations. This guide helps you meet those expectations without overwhelming your team.

Comprehensive Coverage

What the Guide Covers

Section 1

Mission-First Governance

What You'll Learn:

  • How to evaluate AI tools through a mission-alignment lens (not just efficiency)
  • Governance frameworks that protect vulnerable populations you serve
  • Decision-making criteria that balance innovation with ethical obligations

Key Principle:

"Technology serves mission, not the other way around"

Section 2

Low-Cost Implementation

What You'll Learn:

  • Free and low-cost tools for AI governance (no expensive enterprise software)
  • How to leverage volunteer expertise and board member skills
  • Time-efficient governance processes (2-4 hours realistic commitment)

Budget Reality:

Implement foundational governance with limited resources

Section 3

Stakeholder Trust

What You'll Learn:

  • Communicating AI governance to donors, funders, and boards
  • Transparency practices that build trust with beneficiaries
  • How to demonstrate responsible AI use in grant applications and impact reports

Trust-Building Templates:

Annual AI transparency report, donor FAQ, beneficiary communication kit

Section 4

Special Considerations

What You'll Learn:

  • Data protection for vulnerable populations (children, refugees, domestic violence survivors)
  • Cross-border data considerations for international NGOs
  • Navigating AI use in humanitarian emergencies (balancing speed and responsibility)

Sector-Specific Scenarios:

Healthcare NGOs, education charities, humanitarian relief, advocacy organisations

Real Third Sector Use Cases

Practical guidance for common AI governance challenges in the third sector.

Beneficiary AI Tools

Scenario: Your charity wants to use AI chatbots for beneficiary intake or AI translation for multilingual service delivery.

Guide Covers:

  • • Consent processes for vulnerable populations
  • • Privacy protections for sensitive data
  • • Human oversight requirements
  • • Alternative access for those who opt out

Fundraising & Donor Tools

Scenario: You're considering AI for donor segmentation, personalised appeals, or predictive analytics for major gifts.

Guide Covers:

  • • Ethical boundaries for donor manipulation
  • • Transparency about AI use in fundraising
  • • Data retention and deletion policies
  • • Avoiding algorithmic bias in donor targeting

Programme Monitoring & Evaluation

Scenario: Using AI for impact measurement, programme effectiveness analysis, or automated reporting to funders.

Guide Covers:

  • • Ensuring AI doesn't distort programme priorities
  • • Validating AI-generated insights
  • • Combining quantitative AI data with qualitative feedback
  • • Demonstrating data protection to funders

Advocacy & Campaigning

Scenario: AI for social media targeting, sentiment analysis, or identifying advocates/influencers for your cause.

Guide Covers:

  • • Avoiding manipulation and misinformation
  • • Respecting individual autonomy
  • • Compliance with political advertising rules
  • • Transparent AI disclosure in campaigns

Complete Third Sector Toolkit

Policy Templates

  • • Mission-aligned AI usage policy
  • • Beneficiary data protection policy
  • • AI ethics statement for website/reports
  • • Vendor assessment checklist
  • • Board oversight framework

Implementation Guides

  • • 30-day quick start (adapted for nonprofits)
  • • Volunteer training materials
  • • Board education presentation
  • • Staff awareness programme
  • • Ongoing governance calendar

Communication Templates

  • • Donor/funder transparency statement
  • • Beneficiary consent forms (multiple languages)
  • • Annual AI transparency report
  • • Grant application governance section
  • • Public-facing AI ethics page

Resource Directory

  • • Free/low-cost AI governance tools
  • • Pro bono legal support for nonprofits
  • • Third sector-specific communities
  • • Grant opportunities for AI ethics work
  • • Academic partnerships for guidance

Why This Guide Is Different

Written BY Third Sector, FOR Third Sector

Developed in partnership with nonprofit AI practitioners, not adapted from enterprise guidance. Every recommendation acknowledges your constraints and reflects your values.

Respects Resource Reality

No assumptions about dedicated staff, consultants, or enterprise budgets. All guidance is designed for small teams juggling multiple roles with limited time and money.

Higher Ethical Bar

Goes beyond legal compliance to address the heightened ethical obligations nonprofits face. Guidance on serving vulnerable populations, maintaining public trust, and staying true to mission.

Funder-Friendly

Includes templates and language you can use in grant applications, impact reports, and transparency disclosures. Show funders you take AI governance seriously.

Community Resource

The Third Sector Guide will be available to the community.

Especially valuable for:

Charitable organisations implementing AI governance
Nonprofits navigating AI ethics and compliance
Third sector organisations with limited governance budgets
Community organisations exploring AI adoption

📧 Contact Us

Contact us for access information at info@ethos.institute.

Get Notified When Available

We're finalizing the Third Sector Guide. Join our notification list to access it as soon as it's released.

How to Get Notified:

Click the button below to send us a notification request. We'll email you when the guide is ready.

Email Us to Join Notification List

Explore Third Sector Resources Now

While you wait, start your governance journey with these resources.

Third Sector Solutions

Explore governance approaches for nonprofits and NGOs.

View Solutions

Take Assessment

Understand your current governance maturity level.

Start Assessment

Join Community

Connect with other third sector practitioners.

Join Community