When Jeff Reiter stepped in front of the room at JCC Chicago last week, I watched the faces around me shift from skeptical to spellbound. You could almost hear the collective "click" as leaders—some from education, others from social services—realized that artificial intelligence isn’t the enemy. It’s a misunderstood ally.
Jeff began not with a lecture, but with a scene. A moment from the movie Moneyball, where data analytics changed the game of baseball forever. “We are card counters at the blackjack table,” Jeff said, quoting the film. “We’re gonna turn the odds on the casino.”
That line landed like lightning.
Because in today’s nonprofit world, the odds can feel stacked against you: tight budgets, overworked staff, donor demands, cybersecurity concerns, and technology that moves faster than your board can vote.
But what if you could flip those odds?
What if AI could help you amplify your impact—not replace your work, but supercharge it?
🤖 So, What Is AI Really?
Jeff broke it down in plain English. AI isn’t magic. It’s a sophisticated computer system trained to:
- Predict what’s likely to happen next (think: donor trends or volunteer engagement).
- Generate new things like content or reports.
- Decide and act on its own in some cases, like sorting emails or flagging security risks.
From uploading a grant proposal to ChatGPT for review, to summarizing board meeting notes, or analyzing campaign data, AI is already in your world. And yes, it’s okay to use it.
With boundaries.
🛑 But Wait—What About Privacy?
Jeff didn’t shy away from the hard stuff.
He talked about what AI can see, what it can store, and where it can leak. He shared real stories—heartbreaking ones—about nonprofits losing sensitive data and trust because they didn’t have clear internal policies for tools like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini.
And here's the truth: Ignorance is not innocence. AI can help you, but only if you help yourself first—with training, awareness, and security protocols that treat your mission with the same care you give your people.
💡 What Can AI Do For Your Team Today?
During the Q&A, one development director raised her hand. “I just used ChatGPT to write a thank-you note to a donor. It saved me hours.”
Another chimed in, “We used AI to analyze program surveys and discovered a trend we completely missed.”
These aren’t tech companies. They’re soup kitchens. Literacy centers. Youth programs. People like Jessica Lane at Helping Hands Chicago—juggling operations, compliance, and compassion in equal measure.
They’re people who are realizing: AI isn’t cold or impersonal. Not when used with care. It can be a partner in your purpose.
🌱 Ready to Explore What AI Can Do for Your Non-Profit?
If you’re wondering how your organization can embrace AI safely and strategically, Jeff is ready to help.
👋 Invite Jeff Reiter to Speak to Your Team - Click Here
He’ll walk you through what AI is, what it isn’t, and how to set guardrails that make sense for your mission. Whether it’s a board retreat, an all-staff meeting, or a leadership roundtable—he brings clarity, warmth, and wisdom that empowers.
✅ No fearmongering.
✅ No jargon.
✅ Just real talk about how to use technology in service of your mission.
📩 Schedule Jeff today at jeff.reiter@rwksolvesit.com
📞 Or call (877) 795-4801
Because the real question isn’t if you should use AI.
It’s how—and with whom.
Let’s make it simpler.
Let’s make it safe.
Let’s make it work for you.
