Join a training.
Career Accelerator cohorts run October to November 2026, January to February 2027, and April to May 2027. AI Academy workshops start January 2027.
Ask about the next cohortFive ways in.
There are five ways to work with the Global Institute for Sustainable Development (GISD): join a training, bring your nonprofit into AI for Mission, partner as an employer, fund a cohort or a research fellow, or become a GISD Research Fellow.
Bring your organization into AI for Mission.
AI for Mission works with whole organizations through the readiness accelerator, staff level training, executive briefings for boards, and the Virginia Nonprofit AI Network.
Bring your organizationHire and advise.
Join roundtables, shape curriculum, and meet graduates at cohort networking events. The first employer roundtable is February 2027.
Talk to the instituteFund a cohort, a fellow, or the annual study.
Foundations, corporate funders, and agencies can underwrite a training cohort, a research fellow, or the annual study. Strategic plan, operating plan, budget, and determination letter are available on request.
Request the documentsBecome a GISD Research Fellow.
The pilot cohort is forming for FY2027 to FY2028. Practitioners, scholars, and graduate researchers welcome.
Express interestGive time and expertise.
We welcome instructors, mentors, and pro bono support in legal, accounting, and marketing.
Offer your timeWhere partners plug in.
| Partnership area | How partners can engage |
|---|---|
| Program support | Sponsor an AI literacy or professional certificate training cohort |
| Employer partnerships | Provide mentors, guest instructors, internships, and hiring pathways |
| Academic and research collaboration | Co-design applied research and share data and findings |
| Capacity building | Support core operations, technology platforms, and evaluation systems |
| In-kind and volunteer support | Training space, software licenses, professional services, and volunteer time |
Questions about working with GISD
How can I volunteer with GISD?
GISD welcomes instructors, mentors, and pro bono support in legal, accounting and marketing. Email contact@globalisd.org with your background and what you would like to offer.
How can an employer work with GISD?
Employers join roundtables, give input on curriculum so that training matches what they are hiring for, and meet graduates at the end of a cohort.
How can a funder support GISD?
Funders can support a cohort, a research fellow, the annual study of AI adoption in Virginia nonprofits, or general operations. Email contact@globalisd.org and GISD will send the documents funders usually ask for.
Can I bring my nonprofit into AI for Mission?
Yes. AI for Mission works with whole organizations through a readiness accelerator, staff training, executive briefings and a peer network. Say a little about the organization and its staff size when you write.
Does GISD take student or early-career volunteers?
Yes. GISD runs programming that brings students and early-career professionals into the institute, and mentors are matched from the network.