Practical, Ethical, and Mission-Aligned AI Training for NGOs

A Partnership between The Ottawa Education Group & The Grants House (visit our Homepage for RSVP details).

Intelligence is rapidly entering the workplace, but for international development organizations the real challenge is not the technology itself, it is how it is used. NGOs are navigating serious questions about safeguarding sensitive data, protecting donor confidence, maintaining ethical standards, and ensuring that new technologies strengthen rather than undermine their mission.

This training program, delivered in partnership between The Ottawa Education Group and The Grants House, has been designed specifically for organizations working in international development and the nonprofit sector. The course focuses on the practical realities NGOs face every day: proposal development, research, communications, policy work, and internal knowledge management. It showcases how AI can be used responsibly to improve efficiency while protecting organizational values.

Content: The program includes more than 20 hours of structured learning, delivered through a series of practical modules. All sessions are conducted virtually, allowing organizations and participants to join from anywhere in the world. Before the course starts, a planning session will be held with participants to confirm the module schedule and ensure the training addresses the real operational needs of those attending. The emphasis is on practical application rather than theory, using real examples from NGO work.

Our Goal: A central principle of the course is a mission-first approach to AI. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to reduce administrative burden, improve quality of work, and support service to communities while maintaining strong ethical guardrails. The training emphasizes human oversight, responsible data practices, and governance approaches that ensure AI supports professional judgment rather than replacing it.

Funding: Ottawa Education Group and The Grants House will support applicant NGOs to access available grant funding that may cover all or part of the training cost. Professional training programs of this type are typically valued at approximately $8,000 CAD per participant. At present, grant support is available for eligible organizations with staff resident in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. As other provinces offer similar workforce and training grants, the application process may expand in the future.

Organizations that successfully secure grant funding will be notified of their admission to the program.

Access: Participation in the course is open to organizations and individuals from any country. However, to apply for grant funding, applications must be submitted by NGOs on behalf of their staff (not individual staff members) to ensure the training aligns with organizational priorities and operational needs. Only those applicants from the above-mentioned provinces will be considered for grant funding at this time. Organizations or individuals that prefer to enrol directly (without grant support) are also welcome to participate.

This training is for NGOs seeking a practical and responsible way to introduce AI into their work without compromising safeguarding, ethics, or mission.

To learn more or enrol in our upcoming training session, visit: https://www.thegrantshouse.com/

The Grants House

Dr. Phil Tanner, CEO