PITTSTON, PA — Regional economic development agency Penn’s Northeast is proud to announce the release of a newly created and free AI guide for nonprofits and small businesses. It’s described as a practical resource designed to help nonprofit organizations and small business owners better understand how artificial intelligence tools can support operations, enhance marketing, strengthen workforce and drive growth.

“As AI becomes more accessible, it’s critical that small organizations have a roadmap on how to use these tools effectively and responsibly,” said Penn’s Northeast president and CEO John Augustine III. “This guide was developed to interpret AI and help local organizations adopt technology at a pace and scale that makes sense for them.”

Why this matters now

“Adoption of AI across industries has rapidly accelerated, but nonprofits and small organizations often face unique challenges including limited staff capacity, budget constraints and uncertainty about where to begin,” Penn’s Northeast said.

The guide would provide:

Clear, jargon-free explanations of AI tools;

Affordable and accessible use cases;

Workflow examples tailored to small teams;

Recommendations for training and integration;

Privacy, ethics and data considerations; and

Foundations driving innovation in the region

The guide was made possible through grant support from the Luzerne Foundation and the Sordoni Family Foundation.

Supporting regional growth

Nonprofits and small businesses represent a significant share of northeastern Pennsylvania’s workforce and community infrastructure, the agency said. “By helping these organizations modernize processes and build technological readiness, Penn’s Northeast hopes to strengthen local competitiveness and long-term economic resiliency.”

“AI shouldn’t be a barrier—it should be an opportunity,” said Penn’s Northeast’s marketing director, Rachel Hawk. “This guide shows that you don’t need massive budgets or large departments to experiment with new tools.”

The guide is available online at www.pennsnortheast.com/aiguide.