Member Benefit: Free course on using AI tools for good

CNPE Staff • February 14, 2024

How your organization can use AI tools as a force for good

Is it possible to use artificial intelligence for good? CNPE is pleased to offer our members this important, master class on using artificial intelligence ethically and effectively. (Members may attend at no cost!)

In this course, Harry Pickens will give you a hands-on introduction to ChatGPT and other Generative AI tools.

Much of the attention given to AI has been about the potential pitfalls of the technology. Pickens said those concerns are valid, but do not give the full picture.

“Of course, there are valid concerns about AI we must address - privacy, accuracy, unintended consequences, and more,” he said. “But I believe we can choose to harness this technology as a force for social good.”

The one-hour course is being offered on March 19, at two times. Register for the 9 a.m. course here. Or you can register for the Noon course here.

Pickens is an experienced AI instructor

Many people in Louisville and Southern Indiana know Pickens as a world-class jazz pianist, award-winning educator and experienced life transformation coach. Harry has recently immersed himself in mastering ChatGPT and Generative AI tools, devoting over 1000 hours to intensive study and practice within the last twelve months alone. He is a primary administrator/moderator of the 425,000 member ChatGPT for Teachers Facebook community. His GPTeachers Toolkit workshops, which focus on practical applications of Generative AI for educators, have reached thousands of educators worldwide.

“In just a few months, (AI) has become indispensable in enhancing my personal and professional impact,” Pickens said. “I hope you'll join me in exploring how we might responsibly apply AI to increase our capacity to serve, educate, and uplift communities.”

In this course, he will demonstrate step-by-step how you can tap into their potential to further your mission, enhance your programs and services, and improve people's lives. Choose from two convenient times on March 19 – at either 9 a.m. or noon.

During the workshop, you will:

Discover how ChatGPT/Generative AI can help further your organization's mission and increase its impact
Learn how to use AI for creative brainstorming to develop innovative programs and solutions
Tap into AI's potential as a virtual assistant to increase productivity and free up your time for high-impact work
Leverage AI tools to enhance volunteer/staff training and empower your team
Gain insights from AI-powered data analysis to refine programs, identify service gaps, and guide strategic decisions
Explore how AI can amplify your reach and presence to share your work with larger audiences
Understand ethical considerations in using AI in the social impact space
Collaborate with other purpose-driven leaders to envision ways AI can build a better world
See demos of AI in action showcasing real-world applications for nonprofits and social enterprises
Leave inspired, equipped and connected to harness AI's potential to drive meaningful change

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Saying Goodbye After 25 Years of Service

November 20, 2025

Dear Friends, For 25 years, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) has stood at the heart of our region’s nonprofit community, helping organizations grow stronger, lead better, and serve more effectively. Since our founding, we have been guided by a single belief: that when nonprofits thrive, our entire community benefits in immeasurable ways. Now, we are sharing a difficult decision. CNPE will be closing its operations at the end of December 2025. This decision was not made lightly. Like so many of the organizations we have supported over the years, CNPE has felt the effects of the profound challenges facing the nonprofit sector. Supporting the work we do has required continuous investment to ensure our programming and services remain relevant, affordable and accessible for all. And today there are many resources available for nonprofit leaders to learn and connect. Our business has always required a heavy lift from philanthropy, and today our philanthropic community faces immense new pressures to rightly focus their resources to direct services to meet our community’s most urgent needs—from food insecurity and housing to education and health. These priorities are essential and the continued shifting landscape around us has made it untenable to sustain the capacity-building work that CNPE provides. We remain deeply committed to our mission and to the vision that inspired our founding. The need for education, collaboration, and connection has not gone away – it is, in fact, greater than ever. Over the coming weeks, our dedicated team and board will be focused on stewarding as much of the essential roles CNPE has played as possible into our community. We are confident that the spirit of learning and collaboration that has defined CNPE will continue in new and innovative ways. To our members, donors, sponsors, faculty, vendors, and the many partners who have stood beside us over the years—thank you. Your belief in CNPE and in the power of the nonprofit sector has made an immeasurable difference. To our remarkable staff and board, whose passion, expertise, and commitment have shaped CNPE’s legacy of service for a quarter-century, we extend our deepest gratitude. It has been our honor to serve the thousands of organizations and nonprofit leaders we’ve come to know throughout the past 25 years. More details about what comes next for our members, vendors and partners will be shared in the coming days. Though CNPE’s chapter is coming to a close, the pursuit of nonprofit excellence in our community continues—and we are proud to have been part of it. With heartfelt thanks, Das Rooprai CEO, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Managing a Nonprofit Staff in Uncertain Times

By CNPE Staff • April 22, 2025

A Joint Letter from CNPE CEO, Das Rooprai, and HR Affiliates President, Jennifer Wheatley

Advice for Handling Financial Uncertainity

By CNPE Staff • February 21, 2025

Dear Friends, With continued changes in government funding, the financial outlook for nonprofits feels more stressful than ever. But there are steps we can take right now to help insulate our organizations from the severity of what may come. In the spirit of "preparing for a rainy day" now is the time to take practical steps to identify and manage financial vulnerabilities in our organizations. From business and banking perspectives, here are a few items and actions to consider: Information is power. Now is a good time to assess your business model for more efficiency, resilience, and adaptability. Scrutinize your budget – trim non-essential costs and consider delaying investment in discretionary items. Cash is king - know your cash position and how long can you operate if funding stops. Manage payables carefully and take advantage of the full time your organization has to pay expenses. Talk with your banker – discuss ways to improve cash flow and ask about a potential line of credit for that rainy day. Have your bank provide a wellness checkup – how do they view your organization’s financial health? In general, don't be afraid to ask for help in times of financial strain. Your accounting firm, associations, and peers are helpful resources too - you are not alone. Plan for possible cuts. Nobody wants to think about this, but the reality of the moment calls for it. Staffing is typically the largest category of expense, so the hard question to wrestle with is how would we trim staffing expenses if needed without impacting our mission. Running a non-profit organization is stressful work. Throw in the uncertainty of our current environment and the task becomes even harder. Call upon trusted partners to help you see through the haze of uncertainty and take actions now that will extend your financial runway. There are additional considerations related to grants, contracts, funders, and social capital. The following resources can help you strategize and manage the financial needs of your organization during these times of uncertainty: 12 Urgent Financial Action Steps for Nonprofits: A 2025 Checklist How do Nonprofits Manage Cash Deficits? The Essentials of Cash Management for Nonprofits Small Business Resource Center | Pinnacle Financial Partners CNPE is partnering with Pinnacle Bank for our next Power Hour that will focus on bringing nonprofits more helpful advice about banking solutions and managing financial uncertainty. The event will provide opportunities for Q&A and networking with peers to help find answers you may be looking for. The date and time in March for Power Hour will be announced soon. We are available to connect with you to help where we can. With gratitude and admiration for everything you do to serve our community,