AI governance for charities explained

AI governance for charities means having a policy, a risk register, trained staff and a review cycle. It is more than a single document. It is the framework that keeps AI adoption safe, accountable and defensible to funders, trustees and regulators.

What is the difference between AI policy and AI governance?

An AI policy is the written document that sets rules for your team. AI governance is the broader framework: the policy, the risk register, the staff training, the review cycle and the accountability structure. A policy on its own is a document nobody reads. Governance without a policy is practice nobody can audit.

Why do charities need AI governance?

Funders, trustees and regulators increasingly ask what your AI policy is. Without governance, staff use AI informally and unpoliced, entering sensitive data into public tools, acting on unchecked outputs and creating risks nobody has assessed. Governance is what makes adoption safe rather than reckless.

What does good AI governance look like?

Good AI governance includes:

• A written policy naming permitted and prohibited tools and data handling rules.
• A risk register scoring each AI use by likelihood and impact.
• Staff training so the policy is understood and followed in practice.
• A named person responsible for AI oversight.
• A review schedule, at least every six months.

How much does AI governance cost?

An AI Governance Pack from SAO Consultancy costs £750 and includes the policy, risk register and staff guidance, tailored to how your organisation actually works. It is delivered in under a week, fast enough to satisfy a funder visit or trustee request.