Nonprofits are trusted in legislative offices because they are accurate, honest, and speak for real people. AI can help advocacy teams do more with less — drafting testimony, tracking bills across states, researching legislators — but it can also put that trust at risk if used carelessly.
This certificate, developed in partnership with Independent Sector, covers both sides of the relationship between AI and advocacy. Participants learn how to use AI in their own advocacy work within clear legal and ethical limits, and how to engage in the policy debates now shaping how AI gets regulated.
It is built for policy and advocacy staff, communications teams, and organizational leaders who are either considering how best to put AI to work for advocacy or how to advance the advocacy in their regions around AI policy and regulation. No technical background is required.
This certificate will be open for enrollment in the winter. Sign up for updates to be the first to know when that happens.
Certificate requirements
Professional certificate
To complete this certificate, you must complete 13 one-hour courses and a final assignment – all of which can be completed at your own pace. You can take up to one year to complete the certificate from your enrollment date.
- 6 AI and Advocacy courses
- 2 Leadership courses
- 5 courses from any category
- 1 final assignment
Price:
- $500 for NTEN and Independent Sector members
- $1,000 for non-members.
Focus certificate
The focus certificate is a shorter path. It will suit you if you want the core courses specifically, without electives in other subject areas. You can take up to one year to complete the focus certificate from your enrollment date. Courses you complete toward a focus certificate count toward the full professional certificate if you decide to continue later.
- 5 AI and Advocacy courses
- 1 final assignment
Price:
- $250 for NTEN and Independent Sector members
- $500 for non-members.
Sample certificate paths
Earning a certificate with NTEN means you can select the courses that best match your learning goals and subject matter interests. With all that choice, each participant’s combination of courses looks different, but here are a couple sample paths to illustrate what a certificate course combination might be for you.
Core AI and Advocacy courses are organized under three modules:
- Applied AI governance for advocacy
- Using AI in advocacy work
- Advocating on AI policy
Policy Director at a statewide health advocacy organization
AI and advocacy courses:
- AI regulation landscape
- Legal guardrails for AI in advocacy
- Advocate for AI accountability
- Trust and accuracy in AI-assisted advocacy
- Advocacy intelligence with AI agents
- Draft advocacy content with AI
Leadership courses:
- Manage change and uncertainty at work
- Racial equity in tech planning
Other courses:
- Operational strategies for smaller nonprofits
- People-powered data management
- Introduction to responsible AI
- AI pilot programs
- Lead with technology roadmaps
Communications Manager at an environmental coalition
AI and advocacy courses:
- Draft advocacy content with AI
- Advocate for AI accountability
- Advocacy intelligence with AI agents
- Trust and accuracy in AI-assisted advocacy
- AI regulation landscape
- Legal guardrails for AI in advocacy
Leadership courses:
- Constituent and community data privacy
- Lead with technology roadmaps
Other courses:
- Legal considerations with AI
- Human-centered design for nonprofits
- Foundations of data visualization
- Plan communications campaigns
- Work smarter with AI
Looking for more ways to learn?
Nonprofit Tech Readiness
These fully funded six-month cohorts give you an opportunity to ramp up your technology leadership and planning skills.
Learn more and applyTech Accelerate
Don't know where to begin? Take a free technology assessment for your organization to identify gaps in its tech preparedness to help chart your learning plan.
Take an assessmentCourses
Prefer dipping your toes in rather than embarking on a full certificate? Start by taking a single course – you can add it to your certificate progress later!
Browse 60+ coursesPricing
Professional certificate
NTEN and Independent Sector members: $500
Non-members: $1000
Focus certificate
NTEN and Independent Sector members: $250
Non-members: $500
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