When you’re juggling programs, staff, volunteers and reporting, reading ten pages of fine print isn’t easy. That’s why I used AI to support a client with their latest contract, and it changed the whole conversation.
A client came to me with a long set of terms and conditions for a service they genuinely needed. Like many small organisations, they were stretched thin, wearing multiple hats, and didn’t have in-house legal support. The document looked standard at first glance and they wanted a clearer picture before signing.
So we uploaded the text of the document into ChatGPT, removing names and identifying details to keep it safe. Within minutes it flagged three key risks:
• punitive cancellation clauses
• broad data-use permissions
• liability wording that placed more responsibility on the NFP than was fair
These were easy to miss but significant if anything went wrong. With those risks now explained in plain language, the organisation felt confident to go back to the provider, ask questions and request changes. They negotiated clearer terms, stronger data protections and a more balanced level of responsibility.
I use AI for my own life admin too. Subscription renewals, warranties, school forms, privacy notices. When a document is too dense or too long, I paste in the text and ask for a summary plus any risks I should be aware of. It reduces cognitive load while still keeping me responsible for the final decision.
Here is the exact prompt I used with my client:
Role: expert contract lawyer. Please read this document (attached) and provide me advice on any risks, issues and a summary of potential impacts of agreeing to the terms, thanks.
Simple, but incredibly effective. I then used a ‘challenge’ prompt to ensure we had all the information covered. It turns a dense contract into something you can understand in minutes and helps you ask better follow-up questions.
This isn’t about replacing legal advice. Lawyers bring expertise, nuance and judgement that AI cannot. But AI can fill the gap between tight budgets, limited time and the rising number of agreements NFPs must navigate. For CEOs, boards and senior staff, this is a practical way to reduce risk exposure and make more informed decisions before seeking formal legal advice.
If you lead or support a small organisation, this is one of the easiest and most practical ways to build your AI confidence. Start with your next set of Ts&Cs. Ask for a summary, ask for risks, and ask what the impact might be. You might be surprised by what you find, and even more surprised by how empowered you feel to negotiate.
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