With support from Okta, Taproot is launching a first-of-its-kind initiative to help nonprofits adopt AI responsibly while creating meaningful skill-building opportunities for the professionals who make it possible.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept for the social sector. It’s here and it’s reshaping how organizations operate, deliver services, and measure impact.
But the technology is moving fast, and most nonprofits don’t yet have the resources or expertise to keep up. They’re interested. They’re eager. Chronic underfunding of technology, training, and infrastructure keeps them from going all in.
That’s not just a technical gap. It’s a gap that will widen for the organizations that can least afford it—and the communities that depend on them.
“The nonprofits closest to our communities can’t be left behind by this moment,” says Cat Ward, CEO of Taproot. “If we connect them to the tools and human expertise they need, there’s no limit to what they can do.”
The Challenge: Tools Without People
The data tells the story plainly. Training receives just 1% of nonprofit technology budgets. Over a quarter of nonprofit leaders cite lack of staff training as a top barrier to AI adoption—and only about half report using AI tools at all. When they do, it’s often for low-lift tasks like note-taking or meeting summaries. Meanwhile, 91% report interest in adopting AI.
The desire is there. The capacity isn’t.
Tools without people who know how to use them aren’t just ineffective—they can expose organizations to real cybersecurity risk. 78% of nonprofits feel their cyber resilience is insufficient. AI adoption requires human expertise: change managers, cybersecurity professionals, data specialists who can safely harness these tools and translate them into impact.
At the same time, millions of professionals are navigating their own disruption—looking for ways to stay sharp and relevant as AI reshapes what work looks like. The workforce needs this, too.
The Solution: Human-Centered AI Through Pro Bono
Pro bono is exactly the right instrument for this moment. Not just because it brings expertise nonprofits can’t afford, but because the best pro bono builds confidence, workflows, and governance alongside tools. It doesn’t just introduce AI. It helps organizations adopt it in ways that are safe, strategic, and built to last.
Responsible adoption isn’t a footnote to this work. It’s the design principle. Every engagement through this initiative is built around helping nonprofits move thoughtfully, understanding what AI can do, what it shouldn’t do, and how to govern it in ways that protect the people they serve.
That’s why Taproot, with support from Okta, is launching a new initiative to accelerate nonprofit AI readiness through pro bono service—connecting nonprofits with skilled professionals who can help them assess their readiness and prepare for thoughtful, effective adoption, while creating real skill-building opportunities for the professionals who show up to help.
“Okta is committed to helping organizations use technology securely and effectively,” says Victor Cordon, Director, Social Impact at Okta. “Supporting Taproot’s work to build human infrastructure around AI for nonprofits is exactly the kind of investment we believe in.”
“Nonprofits shouldn’t have to choose between doing their mission and keeping up with the world,” says Ward. “This initiative is about making sure they don’t have to.”
- For nonprofits: access to the human expertise needed to adopt AI responsibly—from one-on-one coaching to project-based support to change management guidance.
- For professionals: hands-on opportunities to build durable skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving, while strengthening technical fluency in AI and emerging technologies—work that keeps them connected and competitive.
Both sides gain. That’s what good pro bono looks like.
The Impact: Building Readiness, Opportunity, and a Model That Can Scale
The stakes are high—and so is the opportunity.
Nonprofits that get the right support will adopt AI responsibly and securely, improving efficiency, strengthening programs, and delivering greater impact for the communities they serve. Professionals who show up will build more than technical skills—they’ll build the durable, human-centered capabilities that matter most in an AI-driven economy.
And the sector will gain something it has never had: a scalable, proven model for AI readiness built on human expertise rather than technology alone.
This initiative is designed to prove that model. With Okta’s support, we’re building the proof of concept—demonstrating what becomes possible when skilled professionals are activated at the intersection of AI readiness and nonprofit capacity. The goal is to get it right, document what works, and build the case for taking it to scale. We’re looking for partners who want to be part of what comes next.
The organizations closest to our communities can’t be left behind by this moment. And they don’t have to be.
If you’re a nonprofit navigating this moment, we’re here. If you’re a professional who wants to put your skills to work in ways that matter, we want to hear from you. If you’re a funder ready to invest in a model that can scale—let’s talk. Reach out at connect@taprootfoundation.org.
