Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming businesses — it’s now beginning to change how nonprofits in Canada serve their communities. A new national initiative called RAISE (Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact) is doing just that: helping nonprofit organizations across Canada responsibly and effectively use AI to scale their impact.
In this blog post, we explore the RAISE program, its significance, and how it aligns with Canada’s vision of becoming a global leader in ethical AI innovation. As a Canadian marketing and technology company, If Media is proud to highlight this groundbreaking initiative and reflect on what it means for organizations of all sizes seeking to embrace the future.
Why the RAISE Program Matters
Canada’s nonprofit sector is massive. With over 170,000 organizations contributing more than $192 billion to the economy (about 8.3% of the national GDP), nonprofits play a vital role in everything from healthcare to housing.
Yet, according to a 2024 report by the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR), only 4.8% of nonprofits report using AI, and less than 1% of their workforce is engaged in tech roles.
That digital divide makes it difficult for these organizations to modernize, serve more people, or operate efficiently.
This is where the RAISE pilot program steps in.
What is RAISE?
The Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact (RAISE) program is the first-of-its-kind national initiative designed to help nonprofits in Canada build digital capacity, train their teams in AI literacy, and implement responsible AI practices.
RAISE is a collaborative effort between:
- Human Feedback Foundation (HFF)
- The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University
- Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)
- DIGITAL – Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies
This program is backed by DIGITAL’s co-investment model, which combines funding, talent development, and cross-industry collaboration to accelerate technology adoption and innovation.
How RAISE Works — A Closer Look at the 3 Core Components
Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, RAISE is grounded in the real needs of nonprofits. Its structure revolves around three core initiatives that blend learning, experimentation, and long-term impact.
1. Organizational AI Adoption Accelerator
Over the next 12 months, five Canadian nonprofits will receive mentorship and hands-on support to implement AI tools in line with their mission goals.
These organizations include:
- CAMH Foundation – Mental health & addiction
- Canadian Cancer Society – Oncology & advocacy
- Furniture Bank – Housing and support services
- CanadaHelps – Fundraising infrastructure
- Achēv – Employment and newcomer integration
Mentorship will be provided through CDL’s well-established Putting AI to Work framework, helping these organizations translate strategy into action while upholding ethical standards.
2. AI Training for 500+ Nonprofit Professionals
The second piece of the puzzle is equipping nonprofit workers with the knowledge they need to apply AI responsibly. Led by The Dais, this training focuses on practical, role-specific AI literacy, including areas like:
- Fundraising automation
- Data handling and stewardship
- AI-enabled service delivery
- Policy and program design
These sessions draw from The Dais’ Secure and Responsible Technology Policy (SRTP) program — a curriculum designed to promote ethical decision-making alongside technical know-how.
3. Responsible AI Governance Framework
Beyond tools and training, RAISE recognizes the need for sector-wide guidance. That’s where the Human Feedback Foundation comes in.
They’re co-developing an AI playbook that nonprofits can use to:
- Evaluate readiness
- Understand legal and ethical implications
- Prioritize equity, transparency, and impact
This framework will be developed in partnership with participating nonprofits to ensure relevance and usability.
Why This is Big News for Canada
RAISE shows how Canada can take a leadership role in ethical AI. It’s not just about keeping up with trends — it’s about setting the pace. The program:
- Bridges the tech gap in the nonprofit sector
- Offers a human-first model for AI adoption
- Encourages collaboration between academia, industry, and mission-driven groups
As Elena Yunusov, Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation, said:
“Nonprofits have the potential to lead in ethical, trustworthy AI adoption. RAISE helps build practical skills and governance capacity so AI becomes a force for good.”
Who is Behind RAISE?
Human Feedback Foundation (HFF) – Focused on ethical AI governance and education, HFF advocates for inclusive, human-centred design across digital technologies.
The Dais – A Toronto-based think tank dedicated to building inclusive digital policy and leadership. Their work ensures that AI education is accessible and grounded in real-world needs.
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) – A global leader in startup acceleration, CDL brings a proven framework for helping organizations adopt technology with measurable results.
DIGITAL – Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital tech. DIGITAL supports R&D, commercial adoption, and digital talent development in sectors such as healthcare, industry, and sustainability.
What This Means for You — Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Even if you’re not part of this initial pilot, RAISE sets a precedent that other organizations can follow. It demonstrates:
- How AI can be integrated gradually, not disruptively
- Why governance matters as much as innovation
- That AI literacy is within reach for any organization willing to invest in learning
Nonprofits: Watch closely as resources, such as the playbook and training modules, become publicly available. Consider conducting small experiments, such as using AI for donor segmentation, volunteer scheduling, or content generation.
Small Businesses: Many of the same lessons apply, mainly if you serve community causes or rely on lean teams. Think chatbots, client follow-ups, and content writing support.
Why If Media is Sharing This
At If Media, we care deeply about how technology shapes our communities. As a Canadian agency specializing in video production, digital marketing, and AI automation, we’re committed to helping local organizations adopt AI in ways that are practical, ethical, and genuinely beneficial.
We believe AI should be accessible and human-first. That’s why we’ve recently expanded our services to include AI automation for small businesses through our new platform, EleraAI. This tool was designed specifically for entrepreneurs and content creators who want to streamline their use of AI. It brings together top AI tools — like chat, voice, text-to-image, and content writing — into one easy-to-use dashboard that enhances productivity and creativity.
Initiatives like RAISE align with our values: empowering people with the knowledge and tools to use AI responsibly. We’re excited to learn from this pilot program and apply its lessons to support our clients across Canada.
ALL-IN-ONE DASHBOARD
