AI Governance Workshops for Canadian Nonprofits
Move from uncertainty to clear AI decisions and next steps. Perfect for boards and leadership teams.
AI is already appearing in nonprofit work, often before a board has had a real governance conversation. I help leadership teams build shared language, understand the stakes, and set guardrails that protect trust, privacy, and capacity. No hype. No panic. Just clear actionable guidance.
A values-first approach to AI change
​My approach is grounded in change leadership. I support nonprofits to use AI in ways that move the mission forward while keeping people at the center. The goal is responsible governance: knowing what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what you will not do.
The Three Pillars:
Reduce Workload
Use AI to lighten admin burden so people can focus on mission-critical work
Protect Values
Make privacy, transparency, fairness, and accountability real in day-to-day decisions
Strengthen Human Connection
Use AI to support relationships, not replace them
Every workshop is anchored in my Nonprofit AI Policy and Governance Framework. It is designed for the Canadian nonprofit context, with a focus on trust, privacy, and responsible use. I focus on practical ways to support staff, reduce confusion, and help boards and leaders set clear direction as AI becomes part of day-to-day work.​
Workshop 01
Journey to Oz: Understanding AI in the Nonprofit Sector
This engaging workshop helps nonprofit leaders move from confusion to clarity.
Framed through a familiar lens, the session explores the emerging AI landscape in Canada with a focus on nonprofit realities, ethics, and organizational readiness.
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Great for boards who are feeling behind when it comes to AI.
Participants Leave With:
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Clear language to support internal conversations
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A values-based way to evaluate opportunities and risks
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Practical examples of responsible nonprofit use
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A set of discussion prompts for board/leadership next steps
Meet the Cast
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Scarecrow: Intelligence and Data
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Tinman: Empathy and Connection
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Lion: Courage and Readiness
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Wicked Witch: Bias, Ethics, and Risk
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Flying Monkeys: Unintended Consequences
~ and more
Workshop 02
Leading AI Change: From Anxiety to Aligned Action
What we explore:
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The Trust Gap: Why undisclosed AI use erodes confidence.
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The Ethical AI landscape in Canada today
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Values-in-Action: Translating mission into explicit AI use-cases.
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The AI Governance Framework: My three-tier approach to building practical policy.
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Resistance as Care: Reframing hesitation.
Technology isn't the hard part - leading people through change is.
This facilitated workshop helps boards and leadership teams bridge the "governance gap" by holding space for honest dialogue about ethics, trust, and organizational identity.
We use my Nonprofit AI Governance Framework to turn your team's concerns into a clear path forward.
Participants Leave With:
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A deeper understanding of the human landscape of AI change within your organization.
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A clarified leadership stance on the high-priority ethical questions facing your mission.
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The language and tools to address team concerns with practical, values-based clarity.
Workshop 03
Hands-On AI Policy Development
A practical AI governance workshop for nonprofit leaders and boards
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This session provides a practical framework designed specifically for the Canadian nonprofit context. Especially for those that don't have a legal department, an IT team or a risk manager to hand this problem to.
We walk through the essential building blocks to create an AI policy that aligns with your mission, protects your people, and remains manageable for lean teams.
Participants Leave With:
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A roadmap of essential conversations to have with your team
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Clarity on high-priority policy areas for your mission.
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Resource Toolkit: Plain-language resources on data safety and privacy.
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A rough draft policy and clear next steps.
What we explore together:
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The 8-Step Framework: Purpose, People, Principles, Process, Data, Risk, Training, Evaluation.
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The Two-Layer Approach: Separating stable board governance from adaptive Staff guidance.
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Real-World Examples: Case studies showing values-based policy in practice.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
I found Sarah's workshop insightful and immensely practical. It really helped give some concrete ideas for navigating this ever-changing and challenging AI landscape.
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— Fiona Stevenson
Senior Manager, DIVERSEcity
Sarah’s AI Policy training offered our group a deeper understanding, along with practical tools to apply. Her delivery was clear, engaging and participants left with new insights and confidence to move forward.
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— Zahra Esmail, CEO, The Vantage Point
The session was practical, engaging, interactive, and highly relevant to the realities facing nonprofit organizations today.
Attendees left with actionable insights and tangible supports they could immediately apply within their own organizations. We would recommend Sarah as a facilitator and thought partner.
— Cheryl Whiteman, Executive Director, FOCUS Accreditation
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Your guide through the AI landscape
Sarah Downey is the founder of Sarah Downey Consulting and an AI governance consultant supporting nonprofits across Canada. A former nonprofit Executive Director with over 20 years of on-the-ground sector experience, Sarah helps boards and teams build practical AI governance through workshops, policy support, and systems-change guidance.
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Sarah holds an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership and is certified in Professional Change Management (CPCM) and Risk Management.
Known for her creative facilitation style, Sarah makes complex topics feel clear, grounded, and doable.
Ready to bring this to your organization?
Workshops can be delivered virtually or in person (regional travel additional). I offer nonprofit-friendly rates and can tailor delivery for boards, leadership teams, staff learning events, and sector conferences. If budget is a constraint, partner-hosted sessions are sometimes possible through a network, association, or funder convening a group. Two or more "like orgs" are welcome to join together for a workshop.
Format:
60 minute facilitated virtual or in-person session
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Includes planning call, tailored delivery, customized slide deck, take-home resource materials, and follow-up advisory session.
Nonprofit Rates:
$750 CAD - for a single nonprofit or charity​​
$1,500 CAD - for networks, associations and conferences​
Let’s talk about your needs! Click to book a call and see which workshop is a good fit.