AI Governance Framework
A practical, values-based governance framework built for Canadian nonprofits.
About this Service
Most nonprofit boards know they need to address AI. Few know where to start. This framework gives you a place to start, and a structure to build from. The Nonprofit AI Policy & Governance Framework is a free resource developed from 20+ years inside the Canadian charitable sector, including 15 years as an Executive Director. It reflects what actually works in organizations like yours: resource-constrained, mission-driven, and accountable to communities, funders, and staff. What's inside: Three Pillars that define when AI use is and isn't justified. Four Core Principles for building governance that holds. An Eight-Step Policy Development Process you can adapt to your organization's size, risk, and capacity. A Canadian legal and regulatory overview — including PIPEDA, Quebec's Law 25, Indigenous data sovereignty (OCAP and CARE), and your charitable obligations under CRA. Seven failure patterns to avoid, and what works instead. The framework is designed for Executive Directors, board members, and senior leaders who need clarity — not a compliance checklist. Read it, share it with your board, use it to open the conversation. If you want support putting it into practice — building your actual policy, training your team, or navigating a governance challenge — that's the work I do. Reach out at hello@sarahdowneyconsulting.com