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Jennifer Emerling / There Is More Work To Be Done
Jennifer Emerling / There Is More Work To Be Done
Request for Applications – Getting Started with AI for Rural Leaders and Teams
Getting Started with AI for Rural Leaders and Teams
Welcome to all current participants in HAC’s Rural Capacity Building Programs, Round 4 and Round 5.
Applications are due December 31, 2025.
Getting Started with AI prepares rural housing organizations to take their first confident step into using AI tools in practical, everyday work. This project is designed for organizations that want to explore AI in a thoughtful, responsible, and mission-driven way while giving their staff the skills and guardrails they need to begin experimenting safely.
Over two days of in-person training, HAC will help your leadership team and staff learn how AI can support daily tasks like drafting written materials, organizing information, generating ideas, improving internal workflows, and supporting decision making. The training uses real examples from rural housing and community development so staff can immediately see where AI fits into their work.
A key part of this opportunity is the development of a customized AI policy. HAC will work with you to create a policy that reflects your mission, values, culture, and operations. Leadership and IT will help shape expectations while ensuring that all AI generated work is reviewed by people who understand the full context.
This project is best for organizations whose office-based staff will actively participate. This includes administrative, program, planning, compliance, financial, and communications staff. Construction or field staff may participate but are not required. For this pilot round, one organization will be selected.
What your organization will gain
- A customized AI policy that fits your mission and operations
- Staff who are ready to begin experimenting with AI tools safely
- Practical skills that help staff work more efficiently and creatively
- A roadmap for responsible adoption across the organization
- Increased internal capacity to manage information and communication tasks
Participation expectations
This project is most effective when the majority of office-based staff participate. Leadership, IT, and program managers will help shape expectations, support responsible use, and reinforce the culture of human review. One organization will be selected.
Selection criteria
Priority is given to organizations that demonstrate:
- Strong interest in improving efficiency and modernizing internal systems
- Leadership support for responsible AI use
- Office-based staff who can benefit from new tools and approaches
- Clear use cases such as administrative bottlenecks, communication challenges, or high information demands
- A commitment to building a culture where staff experiment responsibly and review work carefully
This opportunity is open to all current participants in HAC’s Rural Capacity Building Program, Round 4 and Round 5.
