Cristy Rowley presenting at a podium beside a large screen showing the slide "Using AI for data analysis: Best practices and recommendations for nonprofit leaders" at the AccessTech 2026 Summit

Despite limited resources, nonprofit teams are increasingly being interrogated about their impact. They are expected to expand their services and demonstrate their effect for funders, while still relying on older data systems. At the San Francisco Tech Council’s AccessTech Summit, OpenOakland Steering Committee Lead Cristy Rowley presented Data Analysis and AI for Nonprofits to approximately 100 nonprofit leaders, sharing how mission-driven programs can turn messy spreadsheets and historical data into actionable, community-centered takeaways.

Building Resilience in an AI Future

The overarching theme of the AccessTech 2026 Summit was exploring how nonprofits can be more resilient in an increasingly AI-driven future. Sessions included ethical considerations, how AI is affecting nonprofit fundraising, and the future of workforce development with AI.

OpenOakland’s session focused on how to make AI accessible to nonprofit leaders who may be using AI for the first time, as well as some best practices to keep in mind for these early ventures.

Protect, Prompt, Prove

For our presentation, we focused on three concepts for nonprofit leaders when using AI for data analysis:

  • Protect: Before sharing information with an AI, remove personally identifying information like names, contact info, and case notes. Nonprofit leaders need to understand how their data is being used by checking their permissions and settings.
  • Prompt: Give the AI relevant context and set expectations. This can include how the information will be used, what decision you’re trying to make, and what you’re expecting to receive from the AI.
  • Prove: Remember, AI doesn’t map to human intelligence, so it can make unanticipated mistakes. Check that calculations make sense, verify quotes against the source material, and keep humans the final decision-makers. Nonprofit leaders, not the AI tool, know their participants the best.

Ultimately, these nonprofit leaders are the subject matter experts when serving their clients and need to use their expertise and common sense as these tools continue to evolve.

We are grateful to have been asked to speak at the San Francisco Tech Council’s AccessTech Summit and look forward to continuing to support our nonprofit community!

Get Involved

OpenOakland is a volunteer-driven civic technology organization bringing technologists, data analysts, designers, and researchers together to build community-centered technology with nonprofit and government partners.

Volunteer, request support, or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.