Majority of Canadian nonprofits are using artificial intelligence, but many lack confidence, skills, and governance for deeper and more responsible use

Majority of Canadian nonprofits are using artificial intelligence, but many lack confidence, skills, and governance for deeper and more responsible use

January 20, 2026
Press release

New national study highlights the need for upskilling and shared knowledge

 

Toronto, ON — January 20, 2026 — A new report released by Imagine Canada and the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR), in partnership with Microsoft Elevate, provides one of the first comprehensive snapshots of AI adoption in Canada’s nonprofit sector.

Titled The State of Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Canadian Nonprofits, the study focuses on key areas, such as how common AI use is within the nonprofit sector, what functions it is being applied to, what enables or limits uptake, and whether policy and governance are keeping pace. Overall, the findings show that nonprofit sector professionals are curious and experimenting with AI, while still building the confidence, skills, and governance needed to propel their use and deploy it responsibly.

“These findings unveil both challenges and opportunities for nonprofits,” said Wilfreda Edward, CCNDR’s Executive Director. “The fact that the majority of organizations are experimenting with AI is wonderful; but we want to close the knowledge gaps to ensure the nonprofit sector is able to leverage the full potential of AI for their mission-critical work. This is why initiatives such as the Nonprofit AI Impact Hub - whose content was informed by the study’s data - are so important. The Hub is designed to help nonprofit professionals understand and use AI, and the findings highlight how needed this resource is.” 

Key findings include:

  • AI use is widespread among nonprofits but often limited in scope: 80% of nonprofits report using AI in some way, but typically in a small number of activities. Smaller organizations, arts, culture and recreation nonprofits, and those in Alberta, the Prairies, and Atlantic Canada are less likely to use AI.
  • Adoption begins with more intuitive activities: 67% of nonprofits use AI for communications and fundraising, and 50% for data and information tasks. Far fewer apply it to more complex functions such as strategy, human resources, or programming.
  • The biggest barriers to AI adoption are uncertainty and limited experience. Skills, time and access to relevant knowledge are key enablers for getting started with AI and expanding use. Funding can also play a role in helping nonprofits expand their use of AI.

While most nonprofits experiment with AI, few have developed internal policies to guide its use. Only 10% have formal AI policies and 21% are developing them; 64% of nonprofits using AI have no policies and aren’t developing any. This is despite a majority reporting awareness of reputational risks (62%), legal, ethical or environmental issues (60%), and inequities (54%). These findings highlight the challenge for nonprofits to integrate governance as part of AI adoption.

“AI can be a powerful tool for nonprofits to scale their missions and drive greater impact in the communities they serve,” said Lisa Everett, Canada AI Skills Director, Microsoft Elevate “We are proud to collaborate with CCNDR in their mission to help nonprofits adopt new technologies. Informed by the findings of this report, the Nonprofit AI Impact Hub, a shared platform, will support capacity building for these changemakers as they lead AI transformation for their organizations.”

Complete research findings are available at imaginecanada.ca/en/research/ai-report

To access practical materials on AI on topics such as ethics and responsible use, training and education, tools, case studies, research, and emerging issues, visit the Nonprofit AI Impact Hub.

Research methodology

The survey was conducted online via an interactive website between June 26 and September 6, 2025. In total, 963 respondents completed the survey. The survey used a dual-component methodology to help ensure that it reached a broad range of charities and nonprofits. Survey responses were weighted by organization size, region and sub-sector to produce estimates more representative of the nonprofit sector as a whole. 

About Imagine Canada

Imagine Canada is a national, bilingual charitable organization whose cause is Canada’s charities and nonprofits. Through our advocacy efforts, research and social enterprises, we help strengthen charities, nonprofits and social entrepreneurs so they can better fulfill their missions. Our vision is of a strong Canada where charities work together alongside business and government to build resilient and vibrant communities.

About CCNDR

The Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR) is a national connector and ecosystem enabler working to ensure every nonprofit in Canada has the confidence, skills, and support to thrive in a digital world. As a trusted wayfinder, CCNDR helps organizations navigate technology, strengthens digital capacity, and builds the connective tissue that turns individual efforts into collective infrastructure. Through collaboration, co-creation, and shared learning, CCNDR is helping shape a more resilient and equitable nonprofit sector.

Media contacts

Imagine Canada:
Émilie Pontbriand
Director, Strategic Communications
epontbriand@imaginecanada.ca

CCNDR:
Shyra Wells
Communications Manager
Shyra@ccndr.ca