AI for Good: Mentoring for charities

What could AI help your charity do differently? 

AI for Good logo Logos for Media Trust and Havas Media Network

Expert AI support to help charities tackle organisational challenges

What could AI help your charity do differently? 

Media Trust and Havas Media Network are partnering to support five charities working to improve social mobility across the UK. Together, we’ll help each charity explore how AI could help deliver practical results and create new opportunities for their cause. 

Selected charities will work directly with experts at Havas Media Network to explore a significant organisational challenge and develop an AI-driven solution. 

If you have a big organisational challenge and are curious about what AI could make possible, we’d love to hear from you! 

Apply now

Programme outline

Each charity will work with your Havas Media Network project team to: 

  • Take part in a half-day AI hack session
  • Explore and define their organisational challenge
  • Identify where AI could add value
  • Develop a roadmap for creating and implementing a potential solution  

Charities will also receive ongoing, bespoke mentoring and support from Havas Media Network. 

The programme is designed around the needs of each charity, with the Havas Media Network team, approach and level of support tailored to the charity’s specific challenge. 

By the end of the programme, each charity will have developed a practical product, improved process or new way of working to take forward in their organisation.

What’s involved 

1. AI hack session 

The programme will kick off with a half-day hack session in January 2027, bringing your team together with Havas Media Network experts to explore your organisational challenge and the opportunities AI could unlock. 

Together, you’ll define the challenge, identify where AI could add real value, explore potential solutions, and develop a clear roadmap for taking the project forward. 

These will take place in person in either London, Leeds, or Manchester depending on the charity’s region and/or location.

2. Ongoing mentoring

Following the hack session, each charity will work closely with their Havas Media Network team through at least one mentoring session each month, turning the ideas from the session into a practical AI solution. 

The level and length of support will be tailored to each project, with Havas Media Network working alongside their charity through to completion. Some projects may take just a few months, while others may require longer-term development and support. 

3. Additional AI learning

Alongside the bespoke mentoring, participating charities will have access to relevant Media Trust AI training, resources and learning opportunities to help build their wider understanding and confidence in using AI. 

Key dates

  • October–November 2026: Applications open
  • December 2026: Shortlisting and selection
  • January 2027: Programme begins with AI hack sessions
  • January 2027 onwards: Ongoing mentoring and support 

Applications close at 5pm on 30 November. 

A detailed project timeline will be agreed with each selected charity following the initial hack session. 

Who should apply?

We’re looking for charities that: 

  • Work to improve social mobility and support people to overcome barriers to opportunity
  • Are based in the UK
  • Are of any size, from small charities to larger organisations
  • Have a significant organisational challenge where AI could potentially make a meaningful difference
  • Are willing to explore new approaches and work collaboratively with the Havas Media Network team
  • Can commit the time needed to participate in the hack session and ongoing mentoring/ project deliverables
  • Can travel to a Havas Media Network office in London, Leeds or Manchester for the kick off session 

You don’t need to have used AI extensively or have an existing AI project in development. The most important thing is that you have a real organisational challenge you’d like to explore, rather than a pre-defined AI solution.  

We’re particularly interested in challenges where AI could help your organisation work differently, solve a significant problem or create new opportunities. 

How to apply 

Apply here

Step 1: Tell us about your organisation and challenge

Complete our online application form, telling us about your charity and the challenge you’d like to explore. 

We’ll also ask about your current use of digital and AI tools, your team’s capacity and your ability to participate in the programme.

Step 2: Shortlisting

Applications will be reviewed against the programme eligibility criteria and the suitability of the proposed challenge for bespoke AI support. 

Shortlisted charities will be invited to an interview to discuss their organisation, challenge and what they hope to achieve through the programme. 

Step 3: Selection

Five charities will be selected to take part in the programme. 

Successful applicants will be contacted in December 2026, ahead of the January hack sessions. 

Accessibility

At Media Trust, we strive to ensure that everyone can access our programmes. If you require the application form or pack in an alternative format, or additional support throughout the programme, please contact Mike at miker@mediatrust.org.  

FAQs 

Do we need to have an existing AI project or idea?

No. You don’t need an existing AI project or a fully formed idea. The programme starts with your challenge, and you’ll work with Havas Media Network experts to explore whether and how AI could help. 

What kind of organisational challenges are you looking for?

We’re interested in challenges where AI could make a meaningful difference to how your organisation works or the opportunities you can offer. This could include improving processes or workflows, making better use of information and data, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks, developing new tools or services, or finding new ways to solve a problem. You don’t need to know whether AI is the answer, that’s something you’ll explore together during the programme. 

How much AI knowledge do we need?

None. The programme is designed to support charities at different stages of their AI journey. You don’t need specialist technical knowledge or extensive experience using AI. 

Does our challenge need to be technical?

No. Your challenge could relate to any part of your organisation. The important thing is that it’s a real problem or opportunity where you think there could be potential to work differently. 

What will we have at the end of the programme?

This will depend on your challenge. You might develop a new AI tool, process or workflow, or another practical solution that your organisation can take forward. The aim is to leave you with something tangible, as well as a clearer understanding of how AI could support your work. 

How much time will we need to commit?

You’ll need to attend a half-day AI hack session in January 2027 and commit to ongoing mentoring sessions with your Havas Media Network team. The exact level of involvement will depend on your project and will be agreed with you at the start of the programme. 

Who from our organisation should take part?

We’d recommend involving people who understand the challenge you’re looking to address and who can help explore and implement potential solutions. You don’t need a dedicated digital or AI team. 

Our Corporate Partners

We enjoy outstanding support from the media industry. Our partners include: