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Salem Five Brings Local Nonprofits Together to Talk AI and the Human Touch

Five-sponsored nonprofit community event featuring an on-stage discussion with attendees.

Bank representatives and nonprofit expert team up to help charitable organizations navigate automation.

Salem, MA., October 5, 2026 – Salem Five Bank hosted its fall Nonprofit Educational Workshop today at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, helping local nonprofit leaders better understand and implement artificial intelligence (AI) within their organizations. The session, titled "AI for Nonprofits: Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World," drew leaders from across the region's charitable sector.

To kick off the event, Brian O’Neil, Chief Information Officer at Salem Five, spent a few minutes breaking down the current tech landscape. O'Neil demystified how AI works today and explained why organizations should explore its capabilities now rather than waiting on the sidelines.

The main program featured an interactive fireside chat moderated by Cheryl DeLorenzo, Senior Vice President and Nonprofit Solutions Team Lead at Salem Five. She was joined by keynote speaker Allison Fine, author, speaker, and President of every.org. Fine, who has written four influential books on technology's role in social change, shared practical advice on how charities can adopt these new tools without losing their core human connection.

"Nonprofits are constantly hearing about the power of automation, but their real impact relies on empathy and relationships," said DeLorenzo. "We wanted to give local leaders a clear understanding of the tools available, while showing them how to use AI responsibly to enhance their mission rather than replace personal connections."

The discussion focused on key themes for resource-constrained teams, including:

  • The Reality of AI: What the tech actually means for day-to-day nonprofit work.
  • Avoiding Pitfalls: Navigating the ethical risks of over-automating community services.
  • New Opportunities: How automation can free up time for deeper mission work.
  • First Steps: Simple ways for local organizations to begin testing tools safely.
Following a lively Q&A session, attendees stayed for a networking reception with cocktails and light bites to exchange ideas. Salem Five will continue to host educational sessions for nonprofits in their ongoing support of this critical sector. Local organizations looking for ongoing backing or grant support are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria through the Salem Five Charitable Foundation – one of the ways in which Salem Five gives back to the communities it serves.

About Salem Five Bank
Salem Five Bancorp is the holding company of Salem Five (www.salemfive.com), a mutual bank founded in 1855. Whatever the need and whatever the goal, Salem Five’s banking, investment and insurance professionals have the expertise to move customers forward. Salem Five has more than $8 billion in assets and 33 retail branches in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Divisions include Salem Five Mortgage Company, one of the largest mortgage lenders headquartered in New England; Salem Five Wealth Management & Trust, which offers fiduciary wealth management services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals, financial and retirement income planning, portfolio review and money management; and Salem Five Insurance Services, which provides personal and commercial insurance. Salem Five deposits are insured through the FDIC. Salem Five Mortgage Company’s NMLS # is 4662. Equal Housing Lender. Securities are offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Life insurance products are offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Insurance and investment products are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, may lose value, not a deposit, and not insured by any federal government agency.


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