Responsible Data, Technology, and AI Strategy

Helping Organizations Advance Their Missions Through the Responsible Use of Data, Technology, and AI

For many nonprofits, technology and data often have been an afterthought. Limited budgets, competing priorities, and lack of dedicated expertise meant decisions were made piecemeal—with just enough resources to keep things running. Now, with the rapid rise of (generative) AI, many nonprofit leaders and funders see opportunities and challenges but are unsure how to move forward. And without intentional strategies, organizations could miss opportunities to use technology and data to increase mission-aligned impact. 

Bridgespan helps you develop a technology strategy that aligns with your mission and helps you unlock new tech-enabled ways to deliver and scale programs.

How We Help Nonprofit and NGO Leaders Build and Align their Mission and Technology Strategy

We collaborate with leadership and staff to understand your organization’s needs and resources, then design a right-sized technology and data approach that advances your mission.

  • Assess Current Systems, Data, and Gaps: We help you evaluate the technology and data you rely on today, identifying pain points that slow down staff or limit your ability to measure, analyze, and deliver impact—including where (generative) AI may play a meaningful role and how to evaluate, manage, and mitigate associated risks to ensure it is applied responsibly.
  • Develop Priorities and Roadmaps: Together, we define the most critical technology and data investments that prioritize impact, balancing strategic priorities, staff capacity, and resource constraints. We then map out a phased roadmap that ensures progress is achievable and responsive to your needs, but also builds in safeguards for ethical and responsible use.
  • Design Your Technology Operating Model: Technology and data strategies require the right people and structures to succeed. We help you determine the staffing model—how many staff you need, what roles are essential, organization design to increase adoption, and where to leverage external partners—so that your organization has the capabilities to sustain and evolve its technology, data, and AI investments. 

Our Focus on Effective and Equitable Use of AI

Perhaps most importantly, we believe AI is a powerful tool that can scale social impact in dramatic ways. Yet it also presents increased risks to society and therefore must be developed and used safely and equitably. We integrate this perspective into the technology strategy work we do. As part of this, we build in AI safety practices, governance structures, and oversight systems to ensure that your systems remain transparent, trustworthy, and in line with your mission.

We also work with funders and nonprofits who are directly addressing the societal impacts of technology and AI. We apply Bridgespan’s years of strategy and operations consulting experience to help organizations working on the frontier of AI safety build durable institutions and help funders and nonprofits grapple with the implications of using AI in their work.

Bridgespan Pubications About Technology Strategy

AI Can’t Be Ignored: Exploring the Opportunities for Nonprofits and the Social Sector

Ready or not, artificial intelligence is here to stay, and nonprofit organizations should be finding a way forward with the technology.

Harnessing AI for Social Good: Insights from the Frontlines

Nonprofit organizations stand on the cusp of a technological revolution with the potential to transform how they operate, measure results, and deliver impact.

Bridgespan's Technology Strategy Experts