The Charity AI Task Force has just made a clear call: charities and community organisations must be included in the government’s national AI strategy. Their recent response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan points out what many of us in the sector have already notice, there’s a lot of hype around AI, but not enough support for the organisations using it to serve real people in the real world.
At Fundin, we completely agree.
AI shouldn’t be a buzzword or something that only big corporations benefit from. Used well, it can unlock time, funding, and capacity for charities that are already stretched thin. But it won’t happen by accident. That’s why the task force’s call for government engagement matters, and why we’re building tools specifically designed for the voluntary sector.
What the task force is saying
The task force, led by CAST’s Dan Sutch and digital expert Zoe Amar, is pushing for three things:
- Charities to be included in national AI plans.
- More support for smaller organisations to use AI safely and effectively.
- Recognition that AI is already being used in the sector, and growing fast.
They cite research showing that 76% of charities now use AI in some way. That tracks with what we’re seeing. More charities are asking us how to use AI to:
- Save time on admin.
- Find and apply for funding.
- Understand data without needing a data scientist.
But there’s still a big gap between what’s possible and what’s practical.
How Fundin fits in
We set up Fundin to make life easier for charities. Our tools use AI to help with one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of the job: funding.
Here’s how we’re doing it:
- Quick answers to complex funding questions. Our AI helps charities figure out which grants are relevant, how to position themselves, and what funders are looking for, in plain English.
- Faster, better applications. We use AI to support the writing process, helping users express their impact clearly and confidently.
- A fairer playing field. We build with smaller charities in mind. No tech jargon. No steep learning curve. Just tools that work.
We also care about how AI is used. It needs to be ethical, transparent, and aligned with the values of the sector. That’s why we support the task force’s push for responsible, inclusive AI that actually works for communities, not just companies.
What needs to happen next
The government’s current AI plan doesn’t mention charities at all. That’s a huge oversight. Charities are already using AI to meet rising demand with shrinking budgets. They need tailored support, funding, and clear guidance to do it safely and effectively.
We’ll keep building tools that work for charities, but we also believe that real progress will come when the whole sector is part of the national conversation. We’re ready to contribute, and we hope the government is ready to listen.
