AI for Social Impact Certification PROGRAM
Free, Expert-Led AI Courses for Social Impact Professionals
-
Learn practical, responsible AI skills
-
Earn continuing education credits, including CFRE
-
Gain certifications and digital badges
The AI for Social Impact Certification Program
Across the social impact sector, teams are eager to reap the benefits of AI, but many are still building the knowledge and guardrails to use it responsibly.
Brought to you by the AI Coalition for Social Impact, this Certification Program closes that gap. Through a series of free, on-demand learning paths, you’ll build practical AI skills, strengthen your understanding of responsible AI use, and learn how to apply AI confidently in your role and organization.
Certification: Fundamentals of Responsible AI
Begin your AI certification journey with Learning Path 1, available July 2026. Complete the certification with Learning Path 2, coming soon.
Build a solid understanding of AI basics, its evolution, and practical applications for mission-driven work. Learn how AI is shaping the future and explore inspiring examples of AI for social impact.
Learn more about the course here.
Discover the principles and frameworks that ensure ethical, transparent, and compliant AI use. Gain insights into global regulations and governance strategies to align your organization with best practices.
Certification Benefits
Earn Continuing Education Credits
Record your professional development by earning continuing education credits recognized by CFRE International.
Advance Your AI Career
Build your AI knowledge and skillset by working toward industry-specific certifications.
Showcase Your Expertise
Earn a digital badge for completing these courses that you can share on platforms like LinkedIn.
Learning Path 1: AI Fundamentals for Social Impact
AVAILABLE JULY 2026
This learning path, includes three courses from sector and tech experts covering the building blocks of AI, practical tools and emerging trends, and insights into how different generations view and adopt AI. You’ll learn the history and future of AI, as well as how to apply it responsibly and effectively to advance your mission.
Course 1: Foundations of AI
Course 1: Foundations of AI
Led by Ari Kaplan, a pioneer in digital transformation and currently the global head of evangelism at Databricks, this course offers a clear, accessible introduction to the world of artificial intelligence for social impact professionals. Ari brings his decades of experience translating complex technical concepts into practical frameworks. You’ll explore the foundations of AI, including its history, evolution, and the key types of AI in use today. You’ll learn not just what AI is, but how to understand and evaluate it in ways that strengthen your mission, empower your teams, and safeguard the people you serve.
Topics:
- How AI became accessible and why it matters
- The evolution of AI and its key milestones
- Core types of AI you’ll encounter today
- Inspiring examples of AI driving social impact
- What’s next for AI and its role in shaping the future
Course 2: Navigating AI Tools and Trends
This course, guided by Daniel Wallace and Dante Gabrielli of McKinsey & Company, provides a practical overview of today’s AI landscape and what it means for social impact organizations. You’ll explore why AI transformation is happening now, why many organizations struggle to move beyond pilots, and how emerging tools like AI agents are reshaping how work gets done. Through clear frameworks, real-world examples, and accessible explanations, this course helps demystify AI and connect technology trends to mission-driven outcomes. By the end of the course, you’ll be better equipped to understand where your organization fits on the AI maturity journey and how to take informed, thoughtful next steps.
Topics:
- The Gen AI paradox and barriers to lasting impact
- Key challenges to scaling AI in mission-driven organizations
- Stages of AI maturity and the Productivity Ladder
- Core AI concepts, including agents, models, and workflows
- Governance, trust, and responsible adoption of AI tools
Course 3: Understanding Generational Perspectives of AI
Course 3: Understanding Generational Perspectives of AI
This course, led by Dr. Laurene Currie, senior principal user experience researcher at Blackbaud, explores how attitudes toward AI differ across age groups and what these differences mean for adoption in the social impact sector. Drawing on real-world research and examples, Laurene will help you gain insight into generational trends, trust factors, and expectations around AI use. By the end of the course, you’ll understand how to tailor AI strategies and communication to engage diverse audiences effectively.
Topics:
- Trust, transparency, and ethical concerns across age groups
- Generational adoption patterns and barriers to AI use
- Communication strategies for engaging diverse audiences
- Practical implications for fundraising and mission-driven work
Ari Kaplan
Head of Evangelism at Databricks
Daniel Wallance
Cybersecurity, Technology Risk, and Responsible AI at McKinsey & Company
Dr. Laurene Currie
Sr Principal User Experience Researcher at Blackbaud
Dante Gabrielli
Associate Partner, Director of Product Management at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey
Developed by Leading Tech
and Social Impact Experts
This Certification Program was developed by the AI Coalition for Social Impact—a cross-sector collaboration of leaders in philanthropy, technology, governance, education, and corporate responsibility committed to advancing responsible AI adoption in our community.
Ready to build your AI skills?
Join the waitlist and be first to know when enrollment opens.
The AI for Social Impact Certification is open to all social impact professionals.
The certification is taught by experts from across the social impact, technology, and responsible AI ecosystem. Instructors include members of the AI Coalition for Social Impact representing organizations such as Databricks, McKinsey, Blackbaud, OneTrust, and other cross-sector partners.
Yes. After completing the courses, you will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to earn CFRE credits. Credits are awarded based on the estimated course hours.
The first certification includes two learning paths and a final exam. You must complete both learning paths and pass the exam to earn your certification.
Learning Path 1, AI Fundamentals for Social Impact, will be available in July 2026. Learning Path 2 will be available soon.
Upon completion of the required learning paths and final exam, you will receive a certification from the AI Coalition for Social Impact.
This digital certification can be shared on your LinkedIn account, resume, and any other digital resource to validate your expertise.
Yes. Once registered, you will receive notifications as new learning paths are released.
Each learning path will take from one to three hours to complete, including knowledge checks and assessments. Courses are self-paced and on demand, so you can pause at any time and return later to continue where you left off.
Once all learning paths are available, you will have the option to complete them all at once. Learning paths will be released throughout 2026 and 2027. Once registered, you will be notified when new learning paths become available.
The AI Coalition for Social Impact is a cross‑sector collaboration of leading organizations and experts from philanthropy, technology, education, and corporate responsibility. The Coalition works to remove barriers to responsible AI adoption and provide resources to support the social impact sector.
Blackbaud convened the AI Coalition for Social Impact as part of its commitment to responsible AI. The company plays both an administrative role in advancing Coalition initiatives and a participatory role by contributing expertise and resources.