AI Prompts for Grant Writing
How AI Can Supercharge Your Grant Writing Process
Writing grant proposals is both an art and a science—one that requires time, strategy, and the ability to craft a compelling case for funding. But for many organizations, limited resources and staff capacity make the grant writing process overwhelming. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in. AI tools can help nonprofits, small teams, and even experienced grant writers by generating fresh ideas, streamlining repetitive tasks, and ensuring proposals are clear, persuasive, and aligned with funder priorities. Whether you’re new to grant writing or a seasoned pro looking for new perspectives and efficiencies, AI can be a game-changer in prospecting, writing, budgeting, and managing grants.
Below, we’ll explore AI-powered prompts that can assist with every step of the grant writing process—from finding the right funders to writing winning proposals and managing post-award responsibilities.
Grants Research
Summarize this RFP for me in plain language. I want to focus on what really matters to the funder. [PASTE FULL TEXT OF THE RFP]
Provide insights on how to align my project with the mission and priorities of a specific funder. Here’s a summary of the RFP: [INSERT RFP SUMMARY].
Which national private foundations are most likely to fund nonprofit organizations working to [increase access to the arts OR insert your cause/mission]?
Is anyone on the [Name of Foundation] Board of Trustees affiliated with [Name of Your City or State]? Let’s find potential connections.
The mission of [Your Organization] is [insert mission]. How does our work align with the [Name of Foundation] mission or funding priorities?
Which organizations in [Your City/State] have received grants from the [Name of Foundation] within the last five years?
What grants has [Name of a Similar Nonprofit or Business] received in the past five years? Let’s analyze their funding sources.
Identify government grants that align with our mission to [insert mission]. What federal, state, or local funding opportunities should we explore?
Find corporate giving programs that support causes like [insert cause/issue]. How can we position our organization for corporate sponsorship or philanthropic grants?
Map out a 12-week countdown plan for year-end fundraising so we hit every key deadline without breaking a sweat.
Design a simple yet powerful fundraising dashboard to track performance like a pro.
Initial Communications
Draft a persuasive executive summary that distills the key points of my grant proposal into a concise, funder-friendly snapshot. Here’s my draft: [PASTE GRANT PROPOSAL].
Write a strong letter of intent (LOI) for a grant application to [INSERT FOUNDATION NAME]. Here’s the grant opportunity: [SUMMARY OF THE RFP].
Write a one-page Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to the [Name of Foundation] requesting [$Amount] for [Name of Organization]. We focus on [Brief Description of Project].
Create a persuasive case for support that explains why our organization is the right fit for this funding opportunity.
Craft a strong email subject line to maximize the chances that my funding inquiry gets read.
Write a phone script for a call with a foundation program officer to discuss a potential grant opportunity.
Write a follow-up email to a program officer after an initial inquiry, keeping the conversation open and warm.
Writing the Proposal
Review and refine my grant proposal to make it more persuasive. Here’s the full text: [PASTE FULL TEXT OF YOUR PROPOSAL].
Draft a strong logic model for our grant proposal that clearly connects inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes.
Analyze this grant proposal for strengths and weaknesses. Provide suggestions for revisions to make it stronger. [PASTE FULL TEXT OF YOUR PROPOSAL].
Organizational Description
Craft a compelling mission and vision statement for my nonprofit. Here’s what we do: [INSERT DESCRIPTION].
Write a compelling opening paragraph for a grant proposal focused on [INSERT PROJECT GOAL]. Let’s hook the reader from the start.
Craft a powerful narrative that demonstrates my organization’s capacity and experience in implementing similar grant-funded projects. Here’s our background: [INSERT INFO].
Categorize my programs and services into a logic list. Write concise descriptions of each, including key metrics. [INSERT INFO].
Community Insight Statement
Craft a compelling needs statement that highlights the urgency and significance of [INSERT ISSUE]. This is the backbone of my grant proposal, so let’s make it persuasive.
Find research that supports the following statement. Make sure to include links to the citations where you found the information.
Paraphrase this research into 1-2 sentences. [INSERT DETAILS].
Rewrite my community insight statement so that it focuses on the challenges and opportunities within the community without mentioning the solution (which goes in the project description). [INSERT TEXT].
Budget and Request Info
Craft a budget narrative that clearly justifies the allocation of funds for my program. Here’s the breakdown: [INSERT DETAILS].
Analyze our budget for this year compared to the actuals from last year, identifying any line items that changed by 10% or more. Write possible explanations for the variance.
Generate a list of cost-effective strategies to maximize grant funds and demonstrate strong financial stewardship.
Help me identify cost-sharing or in-kind contributions that will strengthen our grant application.
Project Description
Develop a clear, concise project description that explains what my grant-funded initiative will do and why it matters. The goal? Make it impossible for funders to say no.
Develop a clear and concise project description for my grant proposal in 200 words or less.
Generate a list of potential partnership opportunities with local businesses or community organizations to strengthen my grant proposal. The initiative is about [INSERT PROJECT DETAILS].
Develop a detailed project timeline with key milestones for my grant proposal. Here’s my list of activities: [INSERT LIST].
Write a concise primary goal of my project. The goal should be broad and abstract.
Ensure my project objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Here’s my list: [INSERT LIST OF GOALS].
Develop SMART objectives for my project: We provide a tutoring program for youth ages 8-16 focused on academic improvement, personal goal setting, and holistic wellness.
Evaluation and Closing
Suggest key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will effectively measure the outcomes of our grant-funded program. Here’s what we do: [INSERT DETAILS].
Refine my sustainability plan for [INSERT PROJECT]. How do I convince funders that my project will thrive long after the grant funding ends?
Suggest creative dissemination strategies to share the outcomes and lessons learned from my grant-funded research/project. The focus is [INSERT STUDY OR PROJECT TOPIC].
Help me make the case that my organization is fully capable of managing and executing grant funding from the [Foundation].
Generate an outcomes framework for a grant-funded project focused on [INSERT PROJECT GOAL]. Here's additional information: [INSERT CONTEXT]. Let’s make it measurable, realistic, and impactful.
Identify potential challenges that may arise during my grant-funded project and suggest strategies to address them. Here’s my project: [INSERT PROJECT DESCRIPTION].
Create an impactful conclusion paragraph that leaves the funder with no doubts about why this project deserves support.
Building Relationships
Draft a thank-you letter to funders after receiving a grant, reinforcing impact and setting the stage for future funding opportunities.
Suggest creative ways to keep funders engaged between grant cycles so they stay invested in our work.
Help me craft a success story about a past grant-funded project that can be used for future funding applications and donor outreach.
Draft a persuasive thank-you letter to [Name of Foundation], showing the impact of their $50,000 grant [INSERT DETAILS].
Create a media strategy to publicly recognize funders in a way that enhances our credibility and encourages future support. Include website analytics, social media reach, and more.
Grants Management and Post-Funding Strategy
Draft a funder report template that makes grant reporting simple, clear, and engaging.
Write a concise, engaging impact report to share with funders and stakeholders.
Generate a grant compliance checklist to ensure we meet all reporting and accountability requirements.
Develop a strategy to turn a one-time grant into recurring funding. How can we position ourselves for renewal or multi-year support?
The Human Touch: Ethical AI Use in Grant Writing
While AI can be a powerful tool for grant writing, it’s important to remember that it should enhance, not replace, human expertise. AI-generated content still requires fact-checking, refinement, and personalization to ensure that proposals are accurate, mission-aligned, and compelling.
Here are a few key considerations when using AI in grant writing:
Verify all information – AI can generate well-structured content, but it doesn’t replace research. Always double-check grant requirements, funder priorities, and statistics for accuracy.
Ensure originality and compliance – Many funders have specific guidelines on formatting, storytelling, and required sections. AI can help with structure, but your final proposal should reflect your organization's unique voice and vision.
Maintain ethical use – AI should be used as a drafting and brainstorming tool, not a shortcut to bypass strategic thinking. Funders value authenticity and deep organizational knowledge, so be sure your final submission reflects the passion and expertise of your team.
Personalize and refine – AI-generated text often lacks emotional nuance. Adding real stories, testimonials, and organizational insights will make your grant application more persuasive and memorable.
Ultimately, AI can streamline and support the grant writing process, but your expertise, creativity, and strategic thinking will always be the most valuable assets in securing funding. Plus AI has negative impacts on the environment. By blending technology with human insight, you can craft stronger, more impactful proposals—while saving time and energy for what really matters: your mission.
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