Empower 2026: How AI and Human Purpose are Transforming Nonprofits

To help ground the day, the conference centered on three subthemes: Automation, Connection, and Collaboration. These ideas created a simple but powerful lens for understanding where AI fits into nonprofit work.

Automation focused on reducing manual workloads so frontline teams can spend more time on relationships and service. Connection looked at how AI can support well-being, communication, and engagement within staff communities. Collaboration explored how nonprofits and partners can align data and workflows to make operations smoother and more unified.

The message was clear. When used thoughtfully, AI helps people spend more time on the work that only humans can do. It supports purpose, rather than distracting from it.

Session Spotlight: Clearing the AI Fog

CTO Jaime McMahon opened the morning with a refreshingly honest conversation about AI readiness. Instead of futurism or hype, Jaime focused on the realities nonprofits are facing right now.

He spoke about the uncertainty many leaders feel and the pressure to “catch up” quickly. He also reminded the audience that moving forward does not mean moving blindly. Jaime shared practical guidance on trust, governance, and responsible decision-making. He encouraged the audience to focus on clarity, steady progress, and sensible guardrails.

Many attendees commented after the session that it helped them finally understand where to begin and how to talk about AI with their teams. Jaime’s session set the tone for the entire event: grounded, thoughtful, and empowering.

Session Spotlight: Scaling Empathy with Technology

One of the most moving sessions of the day came from Hospice of the Chesapeake and LineZero. Their conversation centered on something rarely discussed in the world of AI: emotional labour, trust, and the daily realities of frontline care.

Hospice nurses often work alone in the field, supporting families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. The challenge is not just clinical, but deeply human. As the organization grew and teams spread across different locations, staying aligned and connected became harder. Communication gaps could affect care, well-being, and morale.

Workvivo, an employee engagement platform, helped them bridge that gap. The presenters shared stories of nurses supporting each other through storms, changes, and moments of crisis. They explained how technology has helped them bring back a sense of community, belonging, and shared mission.

The takeaway was simple and powerful. AI can strengthen empathy when it removes friction and gives people a space to stay connected.

Fireside Chat: Transforming Nonprofit Work with AI

Session Spotlight: Microsoft Copilot Live Demo

In a high-energy demo, Kaavya Shah showed attendees what Microsoft Copilot can do across everyday apps. Instead of abstract examples, she walked through real nonprofit scenarios.

Attendees watched how Copilot can:

• turn long reports into clear summaries
• rewrite content for different audiences
• generate presentations from Word documents
• identify gaps in messaging
• analyze data and surface trends
• produce audio meeting recaps
• help users stay organized across Teams, Outlook, and the browser

What stood out was not the technology itself, but how accessible it felt. Many participants commented that they could see themselves using these tools right away, even without technical expertise. Kaavya’s session offered a practical look at how Copilot can become a daily partner, helping nonprofit teams work faster and with more clarity.

Session Spotlight: Agents 101 and the Future of Nonprofit Automation

Marketing and AI consultant Katherine Quon offered one of the most eye-opening sessions of the day. She introduced attendees to AI agents, which are simple automations trained to carry out repetitive tasks, manage follow-ups, summarize information, or support workflows in the background.

Katherine walked the audience through different levels of agents, from no-code assistants to more advanced, customizable models. She demonstrated how nonprofits can build their own agents using tools they already have access to, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, or Agent Builder.

The reaction from participants was enthusiastic. Many realized that agents could help them reclaim hours each week by eliminating the tasks that often slow down service delivery or administrative work. By capturing this time back, teams could invest more energy into mission-critical priorities.

The Heart of #Empower2026

Throughout the day, a shared theme emerged from every session and discussion. AI should support human connection, not replace it. Technology can help us do our jobs more efficiently, but purpose, empathy, and care will always require a human voice.

Host Cassandra Quintana captured this perfectly when she said that this year’s #Empower was designed to help nonprofits feel confident and inspired as they explore AI. Confidence rooted in understanding. Inspiration rooted in possibility.

Attendees also gained access to resources such as the Microsoft 365 Copilot Starter Kit, the Private Executive AI Strategy Session, and the AI in a Day proof of concept workshop. These offerings give organizations a practical way to continue learning and experimenting.

The event wrapped with an uplifting sense of momentum. More than 1,000 professionals left with new ideas, new clarity, and new tools to help them create impact in an era shaped by technology.

Looking Ahead

Founded in 2020, #Empower has grown into a global community of nonprofit professionals who care deeply about responsible innovation. #Empower2026 continued this mission with conversations that blended authenticity, insight, and hope.

As organizations begin embracing AI more intentionally, the community will continue supporting nonprofits with guidance, training, and opportunities to learn together. If you missed the live event, you can still watch the full recording of #Empower2026: Human Purpose Meets AI.

Your Next Steps Toward Purpose‑Driven AI

#Empower2026 showed that when AI is grounded in humanity and mission, it becomes more than a tool, it becomes a catalyst.

Many organizations are ready to take their first step, whether that means helping staff use Copilot with confidence, exploring automation that removes friction, or aligning leadership around an intentional AI roadmap.

Here are three simple ways you can continue the momentum: 

🤖 Copilot Starter Kit
Support your champions, accelerate Copilot adoption, and help your teams see value quickly through guided enablement.

⚙️ AI in a Day
Test-drive a real AI solution in a focused automation sprint — identify a high‑impact use case, build a lightweight prototype, and see tangible results.