The AI Equity Project 2025 Report by Namaste Data is now published, capturing insights from 850 nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada on how AI is shaping the sector. The findings reveal both caution and curiosity: while AI adoption is growing quickly, most nonprofits lack the policies, training, and resources to ensure responsible and equitable use. The report calls for shared learning spaces, open-access AI resources, and fellowships amplifying underrepresented voices—so nonprofits can lead with ethics and equity as AI becomes part of everyday work. Explore the data, community reflections, and practical action steps in the full report.
AI is already reshaping how nonprofits work. But will it widen inequities - or help us build a more just future?
Finding answer to it is our 'why' behind the AI Equity Project 2025.
Last year, 708 nonprofits helped us uncover a sector filled with cautious curiosity about AI. This year, over 850 nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada told us a new story — one of both hope and hesitation, curiosity and caution, fear and experimentation.
Our 2025 report reveals how nonprofits are beginning to move from awareness to action — but also how the gap between equity values and AI readiness is widening in critical ways.
Inside the 2025 Report:
I. AI Readiness Is Stuck: Three out of four nonprofits already use AI, but fewer than one in ten feel confident they’re doing it responsibly.
II. Equity Gaps Are Widening: Half of nonprofits fear AI could harm marginalized communities—but only 15% have any safeguards in place.
III. Funding Isn’t Following the Need: Nonprofits want AI to reduce workloads and improve services, but most lack the training, resources, and governance to do it equitably.
IV. Knowledge ≠ Practice: Awareness of AI bias is growing, but actual equity practices dropped by 10% this year—a troubling disconnect.
Why This Report Matters:
Whether you’re a funding partner, nonprofit leader, tech builder, or policy advocate, the 2025 findings offer:
I. Practical steps for adopting AI responsibly and ethically.
II. Sector-wide opportunities to fund training, shared infrastructure, and community-led governance.
III. Insights for small and equity-centered organizations often left behind in AI conversations.
This (conversation of AI Equity) isn’t just about technology. It’s about shaping systems that reflect our values of justice, care, and inclusion — before they shape us.
New in 2025: A Call for Collective Action
This year’s report shares opportunities like:
I. Nonprofit AI Readiness Studios for shared infrastructure and training.
II. AI Equity Open Libraries to close the knowledge-confidence gap.
III. Equity-First AI Fellowships uplifting underrepresented voices in the AI conversation.
Learn more about the project context here.
Why AI Equity Project?
Because nonprofits deserve a voice in shaping AI.
