Innovating for Greater Impact: How GitLab Foundation Is Using AI to Scale Philanthropic Operations
As philanthropy evolves and global challenges become increasingly complex, innovation is no longer optional. Expanding economic mobility requires funders to adapt quickly, make informed decisions and move resources where they are needed most.
At GitLab Foundation, we are exploring how AI can help us do exactly that — not by replacing people, but by helping teams work more efficiently, make stronger decisions and deepen impact. Across the organization, staff are responsibly implementing practical AI tools that support grantmaking, impact analysis and operational workflows.
While tools like ChatGPT and Claude have just recently entered the mainstream, our team has been exploring the potential of AI for years. With our proximity to technology, we see AI as a tool to help philanthropy operate with greater speed, rigor and responsiveness.
Building Tools for Better Decision-Making
As manager of impact modeling and measurement, Henner Andrés Solarte saw an opportunity to improve how the Foundation reviews grantee reporting and research literature. He developed an internal AI-enabled tool that helps the team synthesize information more efficiently and supports data-informed decision-making. The tool has reduced manual analysis time by up to five hours per grantee application. More importantly, it allows staff to spend more time understanding outcomes, identifying patterns and supporting effective grantmaking decisions.
Supporting Grantees Through the Process
For grants manager Jessica Van Grouw, innovation using AI meant improving the grant application experience itself. Jessica implemented Grant Guardian, an AI-powered platform designed to guide applicants through the grant process, answer common questions and provide support throughout the application journey. “At a newer foundation, you have the rare opportunity to build systems from the ground up — and tools like Grant Guardian helped expand our capacity to do that well,” Jessica shared. “It allows us to embed rigor and consistency into our diligence process without slowing down or overwhelming our internal operations.”
Funding AI for Economic Opportunity
The potential for AI extends into our collaborative grantmaking, as well. In 2023, we partnered with Open AI, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Ballmer Group to launch the AI for Economic Opportunity Fund, committing more than $10 million to support organizations exploring how AI can expand access to economic opportunity.
Across two cohorts and 30 grantees, the fund has supported projects focused on increasing incomes and expanding access to opportunities with the goal of unlocking more than $1 billion in additional lifetime earnings.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Innovation does not happen by accident. It requires curiosity, experimentation and a culture where people feel empowered and excited to explore new ideas.
What began as a personal inquiry for chief programs and partnerships officer Matt Zieger evolved into Jobsdata.ai — an AI-enabled platform designed to aggregate credible research, data and analysis on how AI is reshaping work and employment.
The project reflects a broader culture of experimentation at GitLab Foundation, where staff are encouraged to think creatively and responsibly about how technology can help build a more transparent, responsive and effective philanthropic system.
As our team continues to test and build new tools, a few key lessons have emerged:
Start with the problem, not the technology. The most effective tools solve real operational challenges.
Share early and often. Create space for staff to test ideas, prototype solutions and share learnings.
Use AI responsibly and thoughtfully. Efficiency matters, but so does transparency, accuracy and human judgment.
Looking Ahead
Our team is still imagining new ways AI can support philanthropic work, from self-updating CRMs to autonomous impact assessment generation. Some ideas remain early experiments, while others are already improving how we collaborate and make decisions.
The future of philanthropy will require adaptability, continuous learning and responsible innovation. At GitLab Foundation, we are excited to continue testing, building and shaping what that future can look like.
