New Series Showcases How Organizations Are Using Ethical AI for the Greater Good

Boston, MA — August 26, 2025 — Project Evident today released the first in a new series of case studies showcasing how nonprofit organizations are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve greater, more equitable results. The case study is the first in a broader set of public learning resources being created through Project Evident’s ongoing Equitable AI Adoption (EAIA) project, supported by the Gates Foundation and designed to provide nonprofit leaders, funders, and educators with actionable tools and real-world insights for responsibly leveraging AI. 

In addition to today’s case study release, upcoming content will include:

• A practical and actionable framework for organizations considering the adoption of equitable AI. 
• Case studies profiling nonprofit and education sector organizations implementing AI to advance their missions.
• A limited-run podcast series that highlights aspects of the framework through the lens of organizations that have adopted AI.
• A webinar series offering practical learning opportunities for practitioners.

The inaugural case, “Sustaining Scaled Impact: AI & Technology at Crisis Text Line,” explores how Crisis Text Line is using AI and technology to power more than 3,800 daily text conversations with people in crisis. Crisis Text Line, a leading nonprofit organization that provides free, 24/7, confidential mental health support in English and Spanish, integrates machine learning to triage risk, uses generative AI to support volunteer training, and balances innovation with real-world challenges like technology debt, data privacy, and long-term sustainability.

A 2024 working paper from Project Evident and Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence found that 80% of funders and nonprofits believe AI could enhance mission outcomes — yet lack the tools, knowledge, or funding to take the next step. The EAIA project aims to provide guidance for ethical, practitioner-driven AI adoption.

“AI has the potential to help nonprofit leaders enhance their mission outcomes — but only if implemented ethically and sustainably,” said Sarah Di Troia, chief innovation officer and managing director of OutcomesAI at Project Evident and author of the case study. “This series shines a light on practical and actionable practices of early adopters that all nonprofit practitioners can leverage as they explore their own adoption of AI.”

The case study provides recommendations for nonprofit organizations, funders, and sector participants. These include: 

• Prepare for technology as an ongoing investment, not a one-time expense. Think of technology as a program cost, not administrative overhead.
• Consider the costs and plan for technology scale, innovation, technology debt, technology-oriented staff, data privacy, and maintenance.
• Share experiences with research and development and technology with funders and peers to establish norms for technology-powered nonprofits, enabling the field to better compare and learn from one another.
• Stay up-to-date with evolving data privacy and security regulations and best practices for safeguarding the data of vulnerable communities.

For more information, contact mbirnie@projectevident.org.

About Project Evident
Project Evident harnesses the power of data, evidence, and technology to achieve greater impact. We believe that by empowering practitioners to drive their own data and evidence building while also strengthening the surrounding ecosystem, we can increase the number of effective solutions in the social and education sectors and scale them faster, ultimately producing stronger, more meaningful, and more equitable outcomes for students and communities.

About Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a global mental health organization dedicated to supporting people in their most difficult moments. We focus on both crisis intervention and prevention, providing free, 24/7, confidential support in English and Spanish through a text-based platform that meets people where they are. Since its launch in 2013, we have supported over 11 million conversations in the United States and more than 16 million globally together with our affiliates in Canada, the UK and Ireland. Crisis Text Line’s 100,000+ trained volunteer Crisis Counselors bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm by empowering each texter to use their own strengths and coping strategies. To be connected to a live, trained nonjudgmental volunteer Crisis Counselor, text HELLO to 741741 or 443-SUPPORT in WhatsApp or text HOLA to 741741 or 442-AYUDAME in WhatsApp for Spanish or connect with us via web chat. Visit Crisis Text Line on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook. Additional information, including how to become a volunteer or how to support Crisis Text Line through donations or partnerships, is available at www.crisistextline.org.