Grant Writing Fundamentals (With AI Tips)

Lesson 1: Defining Your Funding Needs and Keywords

Lesson 1: AI Tool Integration: Demo: Using ChatGPT to expand your keyword list

Lesson 1: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 2: Introduction to Prospect Research

Lesson 2: AI Tool Integration: Demo: Using Perplexity AI to research funder types in your region To use Perplexity AI for researching funder types in your region, you begin by starting the conversation with your first prompt. When you go to Perplexity AI, ask it a clear and specific question. For example, instead of a general query, you might ask, “What are the major family foundations that fund K-12 education initiatives in [Your Region], including the [Your City/Region] area?” or more specifically, “Are there family foundations in [Your County], [Your State], that support literacy programs for elementary students?” Next, look at what the AI finds in its initial review. Perplexity AI will process your question and give you an answer in a narrative format, often listing potential foundations and providing a brief snippet about them. It usually also shows you the sources it used. For the [Your Region] example, it might list a few foundation names and perhaps mention if their focus is on education generally, or something more specific. Then comes the crucial step of digging deeper to extract and verify key information. The AI gives you clues, but you need to become a detective. Extract the names of foundations Perplexity AI provides. Then, verify this information by going to the source. For each foundation name, open a new browser tab and search for its official website. Once on the foundation’s website, check their funding priorities, confirm their geographic focus (do they fund in your specific area?), look for guidelines and deadlines, and review past grantees. This last step is vital as it shows the actual types of projects and organizations they support. After your initial review, you can ask more questions as follow-up prompts to deepen your research. Based on what you find, or if the initial search was too broad, you can ask Perplexity AI to narrow things down or explore related avenues. For instance, if Perplexity mentioned the “ABC Family Foundation,” you could ask, “Tell me more about the ABC Family Foundation’s specific grantmaking for K-12 education in [Your Region].” Or to broaden the focus, “What community foundations serve [Your City/Region], [Your State], and support youth development programs?” Remember to always take the new names or information from these follow-up questions and repeat the verification step by going directly to the potential funder’s website.

Lesson 2: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 3: Leveraging Traditional Research Tools

Lesson 3: AI Tool Integration: Demo: Using ChatGPT to analyze a foundation’s website content

Lesson 3: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 4: AI-Powered Prospect Research

Lesson 4: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using Perplexity AI for comprehensive funder research

Lesson 4: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using Claude to compare potential funders

Lesson 4: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 5: Initial Funder Vetting

Lesson 5: AI Tool Integration: Demo: Using ChatGPT to create a custom funder tracking system

Lesson 5: Hands-on Activity

End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise

Lesson 1: Deep Dive into Funder Guidelines (RFPs/NOFOs)

Lesson 1: AI Tool Integration: Using ChatGPT to extract and organize RFP requirements

Lesson 1: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 2: AI for Guideline Analysis

Lesson 2: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using ChatGPT to summarize long RFP sections

Lesson 2: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using Claude to compare your project against funder priorities

Lesson 2: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 3: Beyond the Guidelines: Further Funder Research

Lesson 3: AI Tool Integration: Demo Using Perplexity AI for funder personnel research

Lesson 3: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 4: Initial Outreach and Relationship Building

Lesson 4: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using ChatGPT to draft initial outreach emails

Lesson 4: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using Claude to prepare for program officer calls

Lesson 4: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 5: AI for Communication Assistance

Lesson 5: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using Grammarly Free for professional communication

Lesson 5: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using ChatGPT to summarize meeting notes

Lesson 5: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 5: End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise

Lesson 1: The Statement of Need (Problem Statement)

Lesson 1: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using Perplexity AI for data research

Lesson 1: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using ChatGPT to structure the need statement

Lesson 1: Hands on Activity

Lesson 2: The Project Description

Lesson 2: AI Tool Integration: Demo 1 Using ChatGPT to generate SMART objectives

Lesson 2: AI Tool Integration: Demo 2 Using Claude to create a project timeline

Lesson 2: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 3: Ensuring a Logical Flow and Persuasive Argument

Lesson 3: AI Tool Integration: Demo Using ChatGPT to create a logic model

Lesson 3: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 4: Tailoring the Narrative to the Funder

Lesson 4: AI Tool Integration: Demo: Using Claude for narrative customization

Lesson 4: Hands-on Activity

Lesson 4: End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise

Lesson 1: The Evaluation Plan

Lesson 2: Organizational Information/Background

Lesson 3: Attachments and Supporting Documents

Lesson 4: AI for Overall Refinement and Consistency

End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise Duration: “Organizational Credibility & Impact Portfolio”

Lesson 1: Fundamentals of Project Budgeting

Lesson 2: Creating the Project Budget Spreadsheet

Lesson 3: Writing the Budget Narrative (Budget Justification)

End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise: “Complete Project Budget Package”

Lesson 1: Crafting a Powerful Executive Summary/Abstract

Lesson 2: The Critical Human Review Process

Lesson 3: Formatting, Presentation, and Submission

End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise: “Ready-to-Submit Proposal Elements & Checklist”

Lesson 1: The Waiting Game & Responding to Decisions

Lesson 2: Grant Reporting & Stewardship with AI Support

Lesson 3: Ethical AI Use Throughout the Grant Lifecycle

End-of-Module Real-World Application Exercise: “Post-Submission Strategy & Responsible Grant Management Plan”