Blackbaud Report Finds 85% AI Usage but Only 33% Effective, Unveils Four Gaps
BLKB•Blackbaud's Institute survey of thousands of social sector professionals finds 85% use AI at work but only 33% report very effective organizational use, with just 10% classified as AI-Adaptive. Report identifies four gaps—infrastructure, data readiness, effectiveness and transparency—and reveals AI-Adaptive groups save $621 per employee, reinvesting time in revenue-generating activities.
1. Research Overview
Blackbaud Institute surveyed thousands of social impact professionals and donors, finding 85% of organizations using AI but only 33% reporting very effective adoption, with just 10% reaching advanced AI maturity.
2. Four Key Gaps
The report details four barriers to organizational AI maturity: fragmented infrastructure with 25% relying on free tools, poor data readiness with fewer than 20% rating data health as excellent, an effectiveness gap, and low transparency in AI use.
3. AI-Adaptive Organization Benefits
Organizations at the top 10% of AI maturity save $621 per employee per week and reinvest those savings into donor identification, engagement strategies and revenue growth initiatives.
4. Blackbaud Initiatives and Coalition
To address these gaps, Blackbaud is launching the AI Coalition for Social Impact and a free certification program this summer to guide intentional AI governance, data practices and transparency in the sector.
