5 Levels

Five Levels to AI Excellence

Whether you are a program coordinator exploring AI for the first time or an executive director building an organizational strategy, AIREC™ has a clear path for you.

Individual Track — L1 → L2 → L3 then Organizational Track — L4 → L5
L1

AI Aware — Foundation

Understand what AI is, explore real nonprofit use cases, try free tools hands-on, and sign the Responsible AI Pledge. No technical background required.

What you will learn:
  • AI fundamentals in plain language
  • 10+ real nonprofit use cases across fundraising, programs, comms, and ops
  • Responsible AI basics — bias, privacy, accuracy, transparency
  • Hands-on experience with 3–5 free AI tools
  • Your personal AI action plan

Duration: 8–12 hours (self-paced)

Prerequisite: None

Assessment: 30-question quiz (70%) + 1 use case

Price: Free

Credential: Digital badge + certificate

Curriculum: 5 chapters • 22 lectures

Explore L1 Curriculum →
5 Chapters
22 Lectures
→
L2

AI Enabled — Practitioner

Master AI tools for your specific role. Build a portfolio of real projects with measurable impact. Choose a specialization track.

Core + Elective Tracks:
  • Advanced prompt engineering • Data readiness • Tool evaluation • Ethics in practice • Impact measurement • Workflow design
  • Elective A: AI for Fundraising & Development
  • Elective B: AI for Programs & Impact
  • Elective C: AI for Communications & Marketing
  • Elective D: AI for Operations & Administration
  • Elective E: AI for Board & Governance

Duration: 30–40 hours (4–6 weeks)

Prerequisite: L1 or equivalent

Assessment: Scenario exam (75%) + 3 projects + tool portfolio

Price: $199 – $299

Credential: Badge + certificate + LinkedIn

Curriculum: 8 chapters • 50 lectures

Explore L2 Curriculum →
8 Chapters
50 Lectures
→
L3

AI Strategic — Leader

Develop your organization's AI strategy, create governance policy, lead change management, and present to a review panel. Cohort-based with live sessions.

9 modules covering:
  • AI vision & strategic alignment • Governance & policy design • Ethics, equity & responsible innovation
  • Data strategy • AI budgeting & ROI • Change management • Vendor management • Board communication
  • Strategic capstone with panel presentation

Duration: 50–60 hours (8–10 weeks)

Prerequisite: L2 or leadership + L1

Assessment: Exam (80%) + strategy doc + panel

Price: $499 – $799

Credential: Badge + cert + directory listing

Curriculum: 7 chapters • 42 lectures

Explore L3 Curriculum →
7 Chapters
42 Lectures
→
L4

AI Optimized — Organization

Certify your entire organization. A guided 6–12 month journey demonstrating that AI has moved from experimentation to systematic organizational capability across 6 maturity dimensions.

6 Assessment Dimensions:
  • Strategy & Leadership • People & Culture • Data & Infrastructure
  • Ethics & Governance • Operations & Impact • Ecosystem & Community

Duration: 6–12 months

Prerequisite: 3× L2 staff + 1× L3 leader

Assessment: Multi-dimensional org review

Price: $1,500 – $5,000 (sliding scale)

Credential: Organizational seal + case study

Curriculum: 7 chapters • 37 lectures

Explore L4 Curriculum →
7 Chapters
37 Lectures
→
L5

AI Native — Innovator

The pinnacle of nonprofit AI maturity. These organizations lead the sector through innovation, open knowledge sharing, and shaping the future of AI for social impact.

Requirements include:
  • 3+ new AI innovations per year • 2+ conference presentations • 3+ published works
  • Open-source contributions • Mentoring 2+ organizations • Active bias auditing
  • AI policy advocacy • Sector ecosystem building

Duration: Ongoing (annual renewal)

Prerequisite: L4 maintained 12+ months

Assessment: Annual innovation portfolio

Price: $3,000 – $10,000/yr

Credential: Platinum seal + advisory seat

Curriculum: 8 chapters • 49 lectures

Explore L5 Curriculum →
8 Chapters
49 Lectures
→

Start Your Journey Today

L1 is free, self-paced, and requires no technical experience

Thousands of nonprofit professionals have already begun.

Begin L1 — Free