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In association with Microsoft Elevate, Charity Excellence has launched a range of free, certificated, online AI training courses that enable anyone to use AI effectively, keep themselves and their organisation safe, and gain valuable career skills. The AI courses require no prior AI knowledge and are completed at your own pace - with engaging bite size lessons, demo videos, practical tasks, and fun quizzes, plus checklists and infographics to download.
As you complete each training course, you are connected you to a range of relevant, related online AI courses, if you wish to broaden or deepen your knowledge. All are free and many are certificated. With the help of Microsoft, we identified relevant Microsoft Learn AI courses for our programme which we've also listed below.
AI Fluency. Foundational AI concepts, history, and real-world applications. Includes modules on generative AI, responsible AI, and Microsoft Copilot. Tailored for beginners and non-technical users
Explore AI Basics. Duration: 11 units. Discover the world of AI by exploring its foundational concepts and history. Learn how AI technology powers everyday items and transforms daily life.
Fundamentals of Generative AI. Duration: 1 hr 13 min (11 units). Explore how language models enable AI to generate original content based on natural language input. Learn how generative AI assists in creative tasks.
Introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration about 27 minutes. Copilot’s purpose, functionality, and Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI.
Get Started with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration - 1.5 hours (3 modules). A walk through how Copilot works across Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. No prior AI knowledge needed.
Summarise and Simplify Information with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Learn how to use Copilot to draft proposals, summarise reports, and generate persuasive content. Includes prompt engineering tips for Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Ideal for staff writing funding bids or impact reports.
Edit and Transform Content with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration: 31 min (8 units). Craft effective prompts to edit, transform, and rewrite information using Copilot in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Ask Questions and Analyse Content with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Duration: 38 min (9 units). Prompt Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook to ask, analyse, and receive recommendations for fresh ideas and content.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 QuickStart Training for Non-Profit Organisations - a 2.5-hour training session: Working Smarter with Microsoft Copilot AI Agents.
Explore Responsible AI. Covers ethical implications of AI-generated content, including imagery. Discusses fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI use. Includes guidance on deepfakes and misinformation. Teaches how to critically analyse AI-generated content and spot misinformation. Includes global implications of human-AI interaction
Embrace Responsible AI Principles and Practices. Introduces Microsoft’s six core principles: fairness, reliability, privacy, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. Explores how to build internal governance systems for ethical AI use. Includes real-world examples and decision-making frameworks for leaders.
Responsible AI: Ethical Policies and Practices. Offers guidance on how to implement governance structures for AI within organisations. Includes tools like the Responsible AI Dashboard and Human-AI Experience Workbook. Ideal for trustees setting strategic direction and oversight.
Describe the basic concepts of cybersecurity. A beginner-friendly module introducing online safety, threats, and best practices. Perfect for quick awareness training for staff and volunteers.
Security for Nonprofits. Offers free training and resources tailored to nonprofit organisations. Includes modules on phishing, malware, and data protection.
They also have a Cybersecurity skills hub.
MS AI For Creatives. Photoshop Essential Training, Illustrator Essential Training, Generative AI Skills for Creative Content and Advanced QGIS Analysis and Machine Learning.
MS Driving transformation in government
Explore cybersecurity skills - cyber security learning pathway.
Learn how to lead your organisation in the era of AI with insights and skills for managers and leaders.
Learn how to lead AI transformation
Learn about AI for people managers
Get insights from Work Trend Index
Human skills in the age of AI. Build essential human skills—like adaptability, decision-making, communication, and social intelligence—to stay competitive in an AI-driven world. Start the learning path
Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
AI Skills Navigator - nonprofit skills collection.
AI Skills Navigator – develop your AI skills by topic and/or role.
Microsoft Scenario Library - find your industry or functional area.
Great Copilot Journey - onboarding and skill-building experience.
Human Skills in the Age of AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
Nonprofit – Microsoft Adoption: operational efficiency.
A 2.5-hour hands-on session for Copilot Beginners. Learn how to start using Copilot as your own AI assistant - how to summarise and draft emails, create PowerPoints within seconds, and explore the Copilot in Word. For the less numerically inclined, using Excel with the help of some natural language prompting. Plus the art of ‘Prompting’ for the best results, and hands-on demos of how to use Copilot.
Azure AI Fundamentals. Self-paced. Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform and service. Demonstrate fundamental AI concepts related to the development of software and services on Microsoft Azure to create AI solutions.
Azure Skilling for Non Profits. Four courses ranging from beginner to advanced.
Subscribe to Microsoft AI Skills on YouTube for quick learning tips, success stories, live trainings, and deep dive sessions into new learnings. Subscribe on YouTube
Join Microsoft AI Skills on LinkedIn for live trainings, panel discussions from AI skilling leaders, news, training opportunities, and success stories. Follow Microsoft AI Learning on LinkedIn
A registered charity ourselves, the CEF works for any non profit, not just charities.
Plus, 60+ policies, 8 online health checks and the huge resource base.
Quick, simple and very effective.
Find Funding, Free Help & Resources - Everything Is Free.
Thank You. Our thanks to Aliza Uppal whose input into this page and draft programme enabled us to improve both.
