Goodwill Keystone expands ai summit to benefit Pennsylvania nonprofits

Artificial intelligence (AI) can give busy people something that they lack and need: More time. That concept is one of the core ideas behind a conference planned for October in Hershey and sponsored by Goodwill Keystone.

Open to all nonprofit organizations, the Goodwill AI Networking Summit (GAINS) is intended to show attendees how to improve their operations and to better assist their clients by harnessing the power of AI.

“This new technology is transformational for nonprofits,” said Ed Lada Jr., president and CEO of Goodwill Keystone that operates in 22 counties throughout Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. “It allows us to serve more people in more profound ways, while also being good stewards of our resources.”

He added that his organization is the first Goodwill in the country to provide AI literacy as part of its workforce and employee development programs.

Last December, the organization held its first GAINS, and more than 300 leaders of Goodwills nationwide attended.

This year, the summit has been opened to other nonprofits that will learn how AI software can support their missions, as well as workforce development and support services, finance and accounting duties, and other processes.

“We found last year’s summit to be such a profound resource that we wanted every Pennsylvania nonprofit to have the opportunity to benefit from it, as well,” Lada said.

More about the summit

Depending on how many organizations register, the first two days of the summit will be geared toward people and public officials who work in operations, human resources, technology, fundraising communications, programs, or organizational strategy.

“We’ve heard a lot of interest from nonprofits and public officials, but we need them to hit that register button, so we can be sure to provide the right sessions,” Lada said.

However, if there aren’t enough nonprofit registrations, portions of the summit geared to nonprofits might be cut to one day, he said.

With that caveat in mind, the schedule would include the following.

• Monday, Oct. 12 would be focused on challenges common across Pennsylvania nonprofits, with opportunities to engage with leaders from the nonprofit, workforce, government and technology sectors.
• On Tuesday, Oct. 13, attendees would work alongside experts who are developing AI tools, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic.

Speakers and sponsors will include a mix of Goodwill and industry leaders, as well as AI companies, Lada said. He noted that additional training on Oct. 14-15 is currently set aside only for Goodwill organizations, and more than 200 Goodwills nationwide have registered for GAINS so far.

Putting ideas into action

Tripp Harrison, Goodwill Northern New England president and CEO, said he and several of his coworkers attended last year, and about 15 people from his staff will be going this year.

“A lot of our business model is very traditional, and there are a lot of folks scratching their heads and asking what AI is and how it applies to us,” said Harrison, whose organization includes Goodwills in Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont. Last year’s summit introduced the concept of AI and how to use it in their operations. “Coming out of that conference, we really started thinking deep and figuring out ways to bring it on.”

Since then, his team has determined better ways to automate finance, philanthropy and board presentations.

“We are just beginning our journey, and we have a long way to go,” Harrison added. “Last year’s summit was more introductory. This year is a lot more hands on and real-world applied learning, which is why I’m bringing a lot more folks with me.”

He doesn’t see AI replacing jobs. For example, AI has helped his organization with bank reconciliations, a task that would take up to 15 hours per week.

“That’s all automated now, but I didn’t eliminate that job,” he said. “That person can now focus on more meaningful work that is going to be more impactful to our business operations.”

Most people are familiar with Goodwill retail stores, where donated goods are resold, Harrison pointed out. However, Goodwill also teaches people job skills.

“We are starting to look at ways to help people, so they do not get left behind as this technology advances,” Harrison said. “These are tools that we can bring into that menu of things that we can offer to train them.”

Goodwill routinely networks with other nonprofits that similarly help people gain job skills, so Harrison and Lada said they hope more nonprofits sign up for the October summit.

Lada said Goodwill Keystone is one of the largest workforce providers in Pennsylvania.

The summit is a way to “demystify” AI and prepare people to succeed in their careers and personal lives, he added.

“What was once impossible may now be possible with these tools. And if you’re a small and lean nonprofit, the amount of time that you can create to propel your mission forward is staggering—it definitely has been for us,” Lada said. “When you educate and empower your employees and your program participants to use these tools, they are the ones who bring you the inspiration for transformational change using the technology.”

Thomas A. Barstow is a freelance writer