Responsible AI in Philanthropy: Determinants of Adoption Across Technology, Organization and Environment

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents opportunities for philanthropy, but adoption remains constrained by ethical sensitivities, resource limitations, and mission-driven commitments. Existing frameworks such as TAM, UTAUT, and HOT-Fit lack the specificity required to capture the ethical, governance, and legitimacy challenges of this sector. This study adapts the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework, enriched by the Context–Input–Process–Product (CIPP) model, to examine responsible AI adoption in philanthropic organisations. Drawing on fourteen semi-structured interviews with philanthropy leaders and AI practitioners, the findings reveal how technological barriers such as poor data quality and interoperability intersect with organisational challenges of cultural readiness, leadership, and ethical oversight, and environmental pressures of regulation, donor expectations, and reputational risk. The adapted TOE+CIPP framework highlights that trust, accountability, and mission alignment are as decisive as technical readiness. The study contributes theoretical extensions to IS adoption research and practical insights for mission-driven, resource-constrained sectors navigating responsible AI adoption.