\u201cThere is a demand in this community for a heightened level of investment and understanding in AI and in understanding emergent technologies,\u201d Powell said. \u201cHow do we use that for problem solving? This was the result of a lot of feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n
The institute consists of conference room space with small group breakout tables, office spaces and state-of-the-art computer systems supplied by Dell Technologies.<\/p>\n
The Texas-based company is investing in similar spaces internationally to bring emergent technology, like artificial intelligence and virtual assistant tools, to communities that may not currently have access, said Carly Tatum, senior director of giving and impact at Dell Technologies.<\/p>\n
How can you use the space?<\/p>\n
Any organizations or individuals looking to use the United Way Institute should reach out to Institute@unitedwaytarrant.org<\/a> to schedule appointments.<\/p>\n She pointed to a similar hub in the Amazon rainforest, where nonprofit organizations have created a solar-powered space alongside Dell to incubate technology needed for research.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not here to tell you what it is you\u2019re solving for. We\u2019re here to enable you to do what you do better and more efficiently,\u201d Tatum said. \u201cIt\u2019s a model that we\u2019re trying to duplicate everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Technologies provided by Dell for the institute include laptops, large touch-screen monitors, computer systems and AI tools.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth institute is one of the first Dell has invested in specifically for nonprofits, Tatum said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf this is a model that can work here, maybe it can work in other places as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Initial investment in the Fort Worth facility was based on conversations before the institute opened, Powell said. That includes AI tools such as a virtual assistant that provides feedback based on desired situations like a mock interview. More can be provided based on feedback and requests, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a series of town halls back in fall 2025 \u2026 and I think the question that was probably the most ubiquitous is, \u2018What do we do with this AI?\u2019\u201d Powell said. \u201c\u2018How do we use this? How do we integrate this? How do we use this in our models?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside the virtual assistant, United Way kicked off the institute\u2019s opening with an \u201cAI Day of Learning,\u201d during which local nonprofits were able to talk with technology experts to see how best to incorporate the new tool into their work.<\/p>\n Future conference-type events will include a \u201cDay of Innovation\u201d event on June 16.<\/p>\n Powell began serving as the regional United Way chapter\u2019s leader last year. He said the nonprofit world often is last when it comes to newer technologies.<\/p>\n He noted nonprofits often help families and individuals living paycheck to paycheck, and if the industry lags behind, so does a nonprofit\u2019s ability to help people in need.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to make sure they\u2019ve got up-to-date tools to make sure that they and we collectively are doing what we can to really resolve those issues, particularly around education, health and financial security,\u201d Powell said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_7992-1024x683.jpg\")
A United Way of Tarrant County employee uses a virtual AI tool that provides direct feedback after a mock interview or teaching assistance. (Ismael M. Belkoura | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_8006-scaled-e1778263148494-1024x676.jpg\")
The United Way Institute, located at 201 N. Rupert St., allows nonprofits in Tarrant County access to technologies and resources provided by Dell Technologies. (Ismael M. Belkoura | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n