New Sun Rising launches Virtual Support Center

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Alyse Horn

Created to help nonprofits and social enterprise leaders with AI-driven assistance

Pittsburgh, PA — New Sun Rising is proud to announce the launch of its Virtual Support Center helping community leaders solve real human problems. This innovative platform harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to provide on demand support, making it easier to navigate resources and strengthen organizations.

The Virtual Support Center features three Virtual Assistants that are carefully trained by NSR staff based on specific knowledge, experience, and partner feedback. Currently in the beta stage of training, the Virtual Assistants are designed to provide personalized assistance in various areas:

Sonny offers guidance on NSR’s Programs and Services, helping users create Capacity Building Plans for their nonprofits or social enterprises.
Ana specializes in data analysis and communication, assisting users in exploring the Community Voice qualitative data set to enhance grant proposals, communications, and advocacy campaigns.
EJAY focuses on Environmental Justice, providing research and insights on issues, policies, practices, and grant opportunities to inform messaging and resource access.

“Our Virtual Support Center is a testament to New Sun Rising’s commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good,” said Scott Wolovich, Executive Director at New Sun Rising. “We know that when community leaders have the information they need, they can work more effectively and make an even greater impact. By integrating AI into our human-centered support services, leaders now have 24/7 access to the tools and resources needed to drive change.”

New Sun Rising recognizes the importance of data security and privacy. The Virtual Support Center utilizes licensed software from Skillbuilder.io, a trusted partner based in Pittsburgh, PA. Their generative AI platform prioritizes data security while optimizing responses through a hybrid approach that balances specialized and generalized models.

“New Sun Rising is demonstrating the power of hybrid (AI + Human) teaming by managing AI as an extension of their programs” said Adam Paulisick, CEO of SkillBuilder.io. “Combining the expertise and lived experience of existing leaders in the organization with the always-on nature of AI agents means more people served, at any hour, in any language. NSR’s ability to train and deploy AI agents that are capable of meeting anyone where they are in conversation to explore programs and services while also creating an easy way for anyone to ask complicated data questions is a model that we see many organizations looking to follow and are excited to continue supporting.”

New Sun Rising is committed to using data in a way that does not harm the people they are trying to help. To get started, users can access the Virtual Support Center and read the Interaction Guide for optimizing chat prompts and completing core tasks. Integrated with New Sun Rising’s Vibrancy Portal community data explorer and organizational data manager, the Virtual Support Center is an extension of New Sun Rising’s Power in Numbers data advocacy initiative. Feedback and suggestions are encouraged to enhance the platform’s effectiveness by emailing info@newsunrising.org.

About New Sun Rising: New Sun Rising supports nonprofits and small businesses to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. NSR believes that people and communities hold the knowledge and power to make positive change. We envision a future where regenerative community development practices create the conditions for true social, environmental, and economic justice.