Salem Five Bank hosted its fall Nonprofit Educational Workshop Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, helping local nonprofit leaders better understand and implement artificial intelligence (AI) within their organizations. The session, titled “AI for Nonprofits: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World,” drew leaders from across the region’s charitable sector.
To kick off the event, Brian O’Neil, Chief Information Officer at Salem Five, spent a few minutes breaking down the current tech landscape. O’Neil demystified how AI works today and explained why organizations should explore its capabilities now rather than waiting on the sidelines.
The main program featured an interactive fireside chat moderated by Cheryl DeLorenzo, Senior Vice President and Nonprofit Solutions Team Lead at Salem Five. She was joined by keynote speaker Allison Fine, author, speaker, and President of every.org. Fine, who has written four influential books on technology’s role in social change, shared practical advice on how charities can adopt these new tools without losing their core human connection.
“Nonprofits are constantly hearing about the power of automation, but their real impact relies on empathy and relationships,” said DeLorenzo. “We wanted to give local leaders a clear understanding of the tools available, while showing them how to use AI responsibly to enhance their mission rather than replace personal connections.”
The discussion focused on key themes for resource-constrained teams, including:
The Reality of AI: What the tech actually means for day-to-day nonprofit work.
Avoiding Pitfalls: Navigating the ethical risks of over-automating community services.
New Opportunities: How automation can free up time for deeper mission work.
First Steps: Simple ways for local organizations to begin testing tools safely.
Following a lively Q&A session, attendees stayed for a networking reception with cocktails and light bites to exchange ideas. Salem Five will continue to host educational sessions for nonprofits in their ongoing support of this critical sector. Local organizations looking for ongoing backing or grant support are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria through the Salem Five Charitable Foundation – one of the ways in which Salem Five gives back to the communities it serves.
