At PJMF, we believe that technology and AI should be seen not as separate topics or verticals with their own portfolios, but instead as tools that exist alongside all of the other strategic levers grantmakers may use to drive human-centered progress on the issues that matter most to the institutions they represent.
As funders explore where AI may fit within their work, we encourage them first to think about what the tools do best (check our AI Use Case Library below for inspiration) and map that back to the outcomes and impact that matter most to them.
At PJMF, we prioritize exploration and learning where the use and improved understanding of technology, AI, and data science could radically transform our world for the better. While our organization's purpose means that we begin from a place that centers technology, we don’t assume that technology is the right solution for a given problem. Instead, we methodically identify barriers to progress that, once addressed, could unlock disproportionate impact—if those barriers could potentially be addressed by technology, only then do they progress toward a specific funding hypothesis. We encourage other grantmakers to consider a similar approach when determining how to incorporate AI-enabled projects into their broader programmatic goals.
FUNDER RESOURCES -- PJMF Strategy .pdf
PJMF Learning Hub: AI Use Case Library
A catalog of real-world use cases to see the breadth of ways that nonprofits have applied AI to further their programmatic impact.
An active community of philanthropic funders dedicated to harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence to expand economic opportunity.
Whether fully integrated into your strategy or an early-stage exploration, in order for grant funds to flow, funders need to feel that they can confidently evaluate proposals related to AI or data. PJMF’s AI for Good Diligence Guide synthesizes common themes from hundreds of AI, ML, and data-focused grant proposals reviewed by our Strategy team. While not intended to be exhaustive, these principles and the associated diligence questions will help you identify promising proposals and focus your diligence on the areas of uncertainty that matter most to you and your organization.
AI for Good Diligence Guide __ October 2025_withcover.pdf
Download the AI For Good Diligence Guide.
Should I Be Using AI for This?
Intended for a nonprofit audience, this “AI Treasure Map” by Tech Matters can help funders provide sound guidance to their grantees about when to invest in AI solutions.
The Philanthropist’s Guide to Nonprofit’s AI Investments
An AI project evaluation checklist from our friends at Fast Forward.
Grantmaker Strategies in AI Investment
A report by Project Evident offering recommendations to the philanthropic sector to accelerate AI grantmaking.
Applications: Spotting Good Uses of AI Tools
An article, published by our partner Recidiviz, outlining practical criteria by which organizations can evaluate potential use cases.
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) is a global, 21st century philanthropy committed to bridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence, data science, and social impact.
