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Inspiring Change with AI: Building charities’ capacity through a collaborative AI project

At Inspiring Scotland, we are committed to supporting the third sector to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. As part of this commitment, we have launched a new initiative: Inspiring Change with AI – a collaborative pilot project designed to explore how artificial intelligence can help address common operational challenges across the sector. 

This initiative brings together four of our funded charities – SAY Women, Grassmarket Community Project, Station House Media Unit, and VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) – in partnership with CEIS and made possible thanks to the support from Changing Ideas. Together, we aim to better understand the potential of AI to improve efficiency and ultimately strengthen the impact of the third sector in Scotland. 

Our recent AI Survey, which engaged over 100 charities, revealed a clear message: while there is strong belief in the relevance and potential benefits of AI for the third sector, there is also a widespread sense of unpreparedness. Many organisations cited limited resources (staff and financial) and uncertainty about where to begin as key barriers. Concerns around data security, ethics, and environmental impact were also highlighted. 

Inspiring Change with AI is our response to these findings. It is designed not only to support participating organisations in identifying and implementing practical AI solutions, but also to share learnings across the wider sector – helping others take their first steps with confidence and clarity. 

The 12-month pilot programme follows a structured process: 

1. Understanding AI & Its Relevance to the Sector – Demystifying AI, exploring ethical considerations, and building enthusiasm for what’s possible. 
2. Exploring Shared Challenges – Identifying common operational inefficiencies across participating organisations. 
3. Research & Solution Design – Matching identified challenges with appropriate AI tools, focusing on ease of adoption and sector relevance. 
4. Solution Presentation & Co-Design Workshop – Reviewing options collaboratively and agreeing on pilot solutions. 
5. Baselining Workshop – Capturing the current state to measure future impact. 
6. Implementation & Training – Rolling out tools with staff training and tailored coaching. 
7. Ongoing Support – Providing light-touch support to maintain momentum, troubleshoot issues, and iterate as needed. 
8. Evaluation Check-ins – Assessing impact at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-implementation. 

Throughout the programme, we will document and share insights, challenges, and successes – offering a transparent and hopeful account of what AI can offer the third sector. 

This pilot is just the beginning. By working collaboratively and sharing what we learn, we hope to build a foundation for future iterations of the programme and inspire more organisations to explore the potential of AI in a way that is ethical, practical, and aligned with their mission. 

We are grateful to our charity partners CEIS and Changing Ideas for their vision, leadership and support. Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward a more innovative and resilient third sector.