Kanter and Allison Fine have given a powerful road map for nonprofit leaders on how to navigate the adoption of artificial intelligence and other smart technologies. With this book in hand, nonprofits will be able to turn the page on the era of frantic busyness to one in which they have time to think and plan and even dream.”
Charlene Li, New York Times best-selling author of The Disruption Mindset and Founder of Altimeter
“An absolutely vital read for all nonprofit executives. AI and other smart technologies are here to stay, and understanding how they can impact your employees, donors, and grantees will be vital for your future success. Allison Fine and Beth Kanter break down all you need to know in a format that is digestible and actionable.”
Susan McPherson, CEO, McPherson Strategies and author of The Lost Art of Connecting
“The inevitable introduction of more automation needn't dehumanize your nonprofit. As Kanter and Fine show us, knowing how to incorporate technology into our processes appropriately can free us up to do the things that only people can do and in ways that enhance the deeper connections between us.”
Douglas Rushkoff, author of Team Human, Present Shock, and Program or Be Programed
“Since I see technology itself as amoral, I believe its impact (positive or negative) is a function of the ethics, values, and beliefs of those applying it. Using real-world examples, Kanter and Fine explore the promise and pitfalls of how nonprofits are using advanced digital technology, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processes, and bots.”
Mario Morino, Chair and CEO, Morino Institute
“Beth Kanter and Allison Fine have written the definitive guide for nonprofit leaders on how to navigate the adoption of artificial intelligence and other smart technologies. With this book in hand, nonprofits will be able to raise money, deliver effective programs, and run their back offices efficiently while staying human-centered.”
Jeremiah Owyang, tech analyst, founding partner of Kaleido Insights
“Automation can be a crucial resource for managers and employees who are adapting to a changing workplace—but only if we anticipate and address its risks to equity, inclusion and effectiveness. This book will help leaders make the most of smart tech's potential: It's essential reading for anyone who works in a mission-driven organization, or for those who want to understand the way automation will transform the non-profit sector.”
Alexandra Samuel, PhD and coauthor of Remote, Inc.: How to Thrive at Work…Wherever You Are
“Beth and Allison completely redefined the nonprofit technology game with their must-read book The Networked Nonprofit. And with their newest book, they do it again. The Smart Nonprofit is the perfect field guide for nonprofits who struggle to tackle the perils of tech automation, standardization, and the ethical quandaries that come with it. Beth and Allison answer, with case studies and rich examples, how we can best adopt this smart technology intentionally and carefully—while avoiding embedded bias and maintaining ethical standards. I highly recommend this book to any nonprofit or social change agent looking to answer the questions of how to leverage automation and technology to save time and better accomplish their missions but who want to remain human-centered as well.”
Julia Campbell, speaker, author, nonprofit consultant
“At a cultural moment for trying to understand AI, here's a great primer for nonprofit leaders, especially to think about how smart tech can be harnessed in human ways.”
Peter Simms, author and founder and CEO of Black Sheep (BLK SHP)
“Artificial intelligence and other smart technologies are a critical part of our everyday lives. AI is becoming instrumental to all industries and sectors, including the nonprofit space. In this book, Beth and Allison illuminate the potential of what smart tech could do—and indeed, is already doing—for social and environmental good. The Smart Nonprofit provides practical, actionable (and timely) advice for all nonprofit leaders—I couldn't recommend it enough.”
Carlos Miranda, cofounder and chairman, Lightful
“The issues raised by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine in their new book should be at the top of any nonprofit leader's list of priorities. Online platforms such as GlobalGiving are engaged in active debate about them already, but as our technological tools continue to advance and their applications become more ubiquitous, all nonprofits should consider themselves digital organizations. We could all use additional guidance on these tricky questions.”
Alix Guerrier, CEO, DonorsChoose
“The Smart Nonprofit is a must-read for the 21st-century organization, addressing both the ethical and practical challenges of artificial intelligence. Beth Kanter and Allison Fine—veterans in providing vital tools to nonprofit leaders—have done it again, breaking down the complicated world of smart tech into bite-sized, actionable strategies that will become the gold standard in the sector.”
Kathleen Kelly Janus, author of Social Startup Success: How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale and Make a Difference
“The Smart Nonprofit could not be timelier for anyone involved in social change efforts. This book is filled with practical examples of how smart tech is already being deployed to tackle social challenges and where we can go from here. This is a terrific, timely book that comes at a critical moment for us as a sector and as a society.”
Vinay Nair, CEO and cofounder, Lightful
“Beth Kanter and Allison Fine provide a practical guide for the future in The Smart Nonprofit: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World. This book is a valuable resource for nonprofit organizational leaders to understand the challenges and opportunities of smart tech and how they can harness this potential to advance their missions. The Smart Nonprofit is filled with examples and case studies that help paint a picture of the possibilities with AI and provides inspiration for anyone considering how they may effectively make use of smart tech for their organization.”
Jason Shim, coauthor of Bitcoin and the Future of Fundraising
“In The Smart Nonprofit, Beth Kanter and Allison Fine demystify the moment we are in by helping nonprofit leaders understand how to use smart technology to center people and their values, reduce bias, and unlock time so that staff can focus on imagining new solutions and enhancing the overall experience people have with their organizations. Whether you are concerned about the limitations and the unintentional harmful consequences of the technology or are looking for a practical guide to apply smart tech, you won't regret reading this book.”
Farra Trompeter, codirector, member-owner, Big Duck
THE SMART NONPROFIT
STAYING HUMAN-CENTERED IN AN AUTOMATED WORLD
BETH KANTER
ALLISON FINE
Copyright © 2022 by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine. All rights reserved.
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Published simultaneously in Canada.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning,