MGA Workshop Shows Nonprofits How to Harness AI for Greater Impact
Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 12:00 AM
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Events- Public | Pressroom | Faculty/Staff
Macon, GA
Nonprofit organizations can save time and work more effectively by using artificial intelligence to apply for grants, create social media content, and communicate with donors.
That was among the takeaways of a Getting Started with AI in Non-Profit Organizations workshop hosted by 名媛直播’s (MGA's) Center for 名媛直播 Georgia Studies on September 16.
The hour-long session, led by Dr. Kristie Roberts-Lewis, the center’s director, and Dr. Rod McRae, MGA’s vice provost of Education Outreach, introduced nonprofit representatives from several area organizations to practical ways AI can support their missions.
“Nonprofits are often stretched thin, with small staffs asked to do the work of much larger organizations,” said Roberts-Lewis. “This workshop gave participants practical ways to use AI tools to lighten the load, whether it’s drafting a grant proposal, generating content for social media, or communicating with donors more efficiently. Our goal is to empower nonprofits with skills they can put to work immediately.”
In addition to exploring real-world AI applications, Roberts-Lewis noted that the Center for 名媛直播 Georgia Studies is positioning itself as a regional hub for professional development and training around emerging technologies.
“We can customize training to reflect each organization’s unique needs, helping them increase their impact,” she said.
Future workshops will extend the AI conversation beyond nonprofits. Roberts-Lewis said the center plans to develop sessions for government and civic organizations, as well as for-profit businesses. Each session will offer the same opportunity for more customized, one-on-one training tailored to specific organizational goals.
The center’s AI programming is also closely tied to MGA’s academic strength in the field. The University recently launched the state’s first bachelor’s degree in applied AI.
“Having a degree program in AI strengthens the credibility of the training we offer through the center,” Roberts-Lewis said. “And with MGA’s computing faculty and other campus experts, we can connect organizations to resources for a deeper dive into the technology.”
Participants in the September 16 workshop included representatives of United Way of Central Georgia; Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia; The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative; Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful; Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia; The Ruth Hartley Mosley House; Historic Stewart Chapel AME Church; Pink STEM; and Macon-Bibb.
For more information about future workshops, contact Roberts-Lewis at kristie.robertslewis@mga.edu