📢 Paid research opportunity Are you a UK grassroots org (income under £100k)? Share your funding experiences, even if you’ve never applied. Take part in a 60-min online interview (16-27 Feb). Your insight will help make funding more accessible. £50 thank you. Register interest 👉 buff.ly/YctQrzx

👀 AI Experimentation Canvas: free to download! Our AI Experimentation Canvas helps you explore AI safely & methodically. It provides clear boundaries & guidelines for testing AI applications, while considering potential impacts on both your work & beneficiaries. Download for free 👉 buff.ly/RjTBsdt

🪄 What would be YOUR wish for the next 12 months of AI? Here are the latest responses from our survey. Please take ten mins to share your views via our anonymous survey, so that we can design support that meets the most pressing needs and priorities across the sector 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr #AI #support

💡 Exploring ‘Worthwhile AI' At CAST, we use the term 'Worthwhile AI' to ensure our AI usage aligns with our values - and to help shape AI that is ‘worthwhile’ for all. Check out our Q&A, in which CAST's Director Dan Sutch outlines the term 👉 buff.ly/cWLxHrA - and please let us know your thoughts!

🆕 For 12 months, we've been supporting The Clothworkers’ Foundation with the management of digital infrastructure applications to the Open Grants Programme. In a new blog, we share what we've done so far, & outline the opportunity for funders to join us in exploring a bigger fund 👉 buff.ly/Y4Zeito

🪄 What would be YOUR wish for the next 12 months of AI? Here are just some of the survey responses we've had so far. Please take ten mins to share your views via our anonymous survey, so that we can design support that meets the most pressing needs and priorities across the sector 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

📣 Calling all #grantmakers and #grantseekers: check out GrantAdvisor UK! 🖋️ Grantseekers: submit an anonymous funder review 📝 Funders: respond to reviews on the public platform 👀 Everyone: read 550+ reviews of UK funders Dive in today! 👉 buff.ly/3esmUuk

Please share your AI views & needs! We’re gathering your AI needs so we can shape support for the year ahead. Your feedback has already led to our AI courses, experiments library & resource hub: help us build what comes next. Please take 10 mins to complete the anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

From reactive to crisis ready with our next #CommsPracticeStudio on 4 February. In this hands-on session, you'll build a crisis comms playbook tailored to your charity – drafting holding statements, press releases, FAQs and more based on relevant scenarios. Book your place: https://bit.ly/4snL6oN

👋 The Digital Leads Network is open for membership! The network brings together people leading digital change in not-for-profit organisations. Members benefit from online meetups, Digital Coffee Hours, & a dedicated AI peer group. Find out more 👉 buff.ly/76KodbI, & apply to join 👉 buff.ly/63VirIP

❓ Keen to meet new #charity contacts and find out how they're using #digital? ☕️ Try Coffee Connections, the #free service that matches you with a peer every two months for a virtual chat. 🗓️ New matches will take place early next month; find out more and register for free today 👉 buff.ly/3FWxeuI

🌟 New AI tool: early access opportunity! We've been working with Dev Society to develop Worthwhile Chat, a generative AI tool built by charities, for charities. If you'd like free access to test this pioneering tool before it's released to the sector, register your interest today 👉 buff.ly/l9jpuwG

🆕 In today's newsletter: 🌟 Help shape the new Worthwhile Chat AI tool 🤔 Early AI survey indications 🚀 Ufi’s VocTech Activate grant fund 📱 Free 2026 Social Media Guide 👋 Join the Digital Leads Network / AI for Grantmakers group 📅 Free events from TechSoup, IVAR & SCVO And more 👉 buff.ly/ZTEtWE7

❓ Do you feel you're advancing with AI? ❓ Would you like to support your colleagues to do the same? 🚀 Then our free self-serve course is for you! You'll receive 8 weekly emails packed with tips and tools designed to help you support colleagues, and drive your org forward with AI 👉 buff.ly/1KSivpU

👀 AI library: latest content! We recently added four new experiments to our AI library, with RSPCA Coventry & District, British Red Cross, Street Support Network and SCVO sharing how they used #AI #tools including ChatGPT, Copilot & Calendly. Find these and 30+ other experiments 👉 buff.ly/GFZP45O

👀 Our AI survey results so far show that respondents are feeling slightly less positive about the increased use of AI in their daily professional lives, compared to last year. Do you agree or disagree? Please take ten minutes to share your opinions & needs via our anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

❓ Keen to meet new #charity contacts and find out how they're using #digital? ☕️ Try Coffee Connections, the #free service that matches you with a peer every two months for a virtual chat. 🗓️ The next matches will take place on January 29th; find out more & register for free today 👉 buff.ly/3FWxeuI

💡 Exploring ‘Worthwhile AI' At CAST, we use the term 'Worthwhile AI' to ensure our #AI usage aligns with our values, and to help shape AI that is ‘worthwhile’ for all. Check out our Q&A, in which CAST's Director Dan Sutch outlines the term 👉 buff.ly/cWLxHrA - and please let us know your thoughts!

🪄 What would be YOUR wish for the next 12 months of AI? Here are just some of the survey responses we've had so far. Please take ten mins to share your views via our anonymous survey, so that we can design support that meets the most pressing needs and priorities across the sector 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

What could you add to your wellbeing toolkit this year? Join us in London on 21 Jan for an in-person seminar and networking event to discover wellbeing strategies, gain practical frameworks, and connect with peers who understand: https://bit.ly/3Y0EJK8

💬 Q&A: Brian Yim Lim, Barts Charity From building an inclusive approach to #AI adoption to championing safe spaces for experimentation, Brian shares insights on humanising digital change, the power of peer networks - & why he feels community matters as much as the tools themselves 👉 buff.ly/kJuQc0W

📅 Open invitation: AI for Grantmakers peer group If you work in #grantmaking and are interested in the challenges and opportunities presented by #AI, please join us on 26th January from 1-3pm, as we bring together #funders of all sizes for a peer discussion. Book your free place 👉 buff.ly/49dF4MS

👀 Our AI survey results so far show that respondents are feeling slightly less positive about the increased use of AI in their daily professional lives, compared to last year. Do you agree or disagree? Please take ten minutes to share your opinions & needs via our anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

💡 Getting Started With AI: A free self-serve course. Keen to get to grips with AI, but not sure where to start? Our AI course is here to help! Each week for seven weeks, you'll receive an email with support & inspiration, helping you discover how AI can make your work life easier 👉 buff.ly/4gfaOEF

Happy New Year to all our CAST friends - hope 2026 is wonderful for you! 🩵

🆕 AI for Grantmakers group: three perspectives Two years on from the first meeting of the AI for Grantmakers group, we spoke to Dan Sutch (CAST), Alex Parker (IVAR) and Brian Yim Lim (Barts Charity), about the purpose of the group, the way it's evolved and the value it brings 👉 buff.ly/OzDTkz

👀 Our new AI survey is live! We’re gathering your views and needs so we can shape support for the year ahead. Your feedback has already led to our AI courses, experiments library & resource hub: help us build what comes next. Please take 10 mins to complete the anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

This graphic shows a snapshot of our impact over the past year - but, as ever, it would have been impossible to achieve this in isolation: we'd like to thank all the wonderful charities, partners, digital specialists & funders we've worked with this year. More about our impact 👉 buff.ly/FLcs5vG

The CAST team will be taking a break from 24th December, returning on 5th January. If you need to get in touch during the holiday period, please email [email protected], as this will be monitored periodically. Happy holidays to all 🩵

👀 Our new AI survey is live! We’re gathering your views and needs so we can shape support for the year ahead. Your feedback has already led to our AI courses, experiments library & resource hub: help us build what comes next. Please take 10 mins to complete the anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

💡 Exploring ‘Worthwhile AI' At CAST, we use the term 'Worthwhile AI' to ensure our AI usage aligns with our values, & to help shape AI that is ‘worthwhile’ for all. Check out our new Q&A, in which CAST's Director Dan Sutch outlines the term 👉 buff.ly/cWLxHrA - & please let us know your thoughts!

🗂️ AI library: new content! We’ve just added four new experiments to our AI library, with RSPCA Coventry & District, British Red Cross, Street Support Network & SCVO sharing how they used #AI #tools including ChatGPT, Copilot & Calendly. Check out these and 30+ other experiments 👉 buff.ly/GFZP45O

VocTech Activate opens 6 January 2026 £30k to £60k grants available for innovative ideas using tech to improve learning for work Step 1: Check if your project is eligible using our checker Step 2: Book an online workshop to help prepare your application Start here: ufi.co.uk/grant-fundin...

We're delighted to be working with @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, @lbfew.bsky.social & a host of other partners on the 'Investing in the Power of Civil Society' pilot. It will explore a new model of tailored support for charities, to help them build resilience, adapt to change & thrive 👉 buff.ly/AKeGl0Q

🆕 Newsletter out today! Featuring: 👀 Our new AI survey! 💡 Exploring 'Worthwhile AI' 🗂️ AI library: new content! 🆕 AI for Grantmakers: three perspectives 📑 CAST at 10: Impact report 📩 IVAR on AI and funding applications 💻 Optimising for AI search: a guide for charities And more! 👉 buff.ly/70FLlpp

📑 CAST at 10: Impact & next steps. Our new report explores not just the ‘who, what, how & why’ of our activities with charities, funders & support organisations - but also illustrates the impact that this has had, & highlights opportunities for getting involved as we move forward 👉 buff.ly/FplPiv2

👀 Our new AI survey is live! We’re gathering your views and needs so we can shape support for the year ahead. Your feedback has already led to our AI courses, experiments library & resource hub: help us build what comes next. Please take 10 mins to complete the anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

💡 Exploring ‘Worthwhile AI' At CAST, we use the term 'Worthwhile AI' to ensure our AI usage aligns with our values, & to help shape AI that is ‘worthwhile’ for all. Check out our new Q&A, in which CAST's Director Dan Sutch outlines the term 👉 buff.ly/cWLxHrA - & please let us know your thoughts!

🆕 AI for Grantmakers group: three perspectives Two years on from the first meeting of the AI for Grantmakers group, we spoke to Dan Sutch (CAST), Alex Parker (IVAR) and Brian Yim Lim (Barts Charity), about the purpose of the group, the way it's evolved and the value it brings 👉 buff.ly/OzDTkzv

💬 Here's what our AI course participants are saying... Since launching our free self-serve AI course earlier this year, we've had some wonderful feedback from participants - including these responses! Try the free AI course for yourself 👉 buff.ly/4gfaOEF

🚀 Two free AI courses! We've created two #free, self-serve courses: one providing an introduction to #AI, and another aimed at those people who feel they are advancing with AI, and want to support their colleagues to do the same. Intro course 👉 buff.ly/4gfaOEF Follow-on course 👉 buff.ly/1KSivpU

🧪 Five ways funders are experimenting with AI. Ellen Smyth takes a look at five ways in which funders are using AI, with content from @londonfunders.bsky.social, @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, @healthfoundation.bsky.social, The Masonic Charitable Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. 👉 buff.ly/am8u7Qs

❓ Ask us anything! We answer your questions about CAST and AI In order to provide timely responses to your questions about CAST and AI, we’ve set up a new webpage dedicated to your questions - and our answers. Read our introductory blog 👉 buff.ly/J7TatxG, and access our Q&A here 👉 buff.ly/pRX7mz2

🆕 Library of AI experiments! Check out our growing collection of 30+ AI experiments, shared by 18 orgs. Topics include user research, AI policy creation, data analysis & transcription - with contributors sharing what worked well, what didn’t, and the advice they’d give to others 👉 buff.ly/GFZP45O

Looking for comms inspiration? As this year winds down, many of us are thinking about how we can stretch our campaigns and comms further in 2026. Get inspired by what #InspiringComms Award nominees have achieved. Register to join us on 10 Dec on LinkedIn Live: https://bit.ly/3KCBCV3

❓ Keen to meet new charity contacts and find out how they're using digital? ☕️ Try Coffee Connections, the free service that matches you with a peer every two months for a virtual chat. 🗓️ New matches will take place next Thursday (Nov 27th); find out more & register for free today 👉 buff.ly/3FWxeuI

👀 Check out the latest Shared Digital Guides! ➡️ Euan's Guide on recruiting staff using Airtable ➡️ RSPCA on helping staff find info using a chatbot ➡️ Noise Solution on using GenAI to analyse video content ➡️ Citizens Advice SORT on automating case notes with AI See all 90+ Guides 👉 buff.ly/3zIbdzS

📊 Quick survey: Are AI summaries affecting your website traffic? We've put together a short survey (just three multiple-choice questions) to gauge the impact that AI summaries are having on charities' web traffic. All responses are anonymous. Access the three-question survey here 👉 buff.ly/cYs7zat

❓ Could you share your tips on using digital tools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're sharing charities' experiences of digital tools via the Shared Digital Guides site. It's v simple: we turn your experience into a Guide - you don't need to do any writing! Find out more 👉 buff.ly/3K3kcNX

🚀 Two free AI courses! We've created two #free, self-serve courses: one providing an introduction to #AI, and another aimed at those people who feel they are advancing with AI, and want to support their colleagues to do the same. Intro course 👉 buff.ly/4gfaOEF Follow-on course 👉 buff.ly/1KSivpU