Power up your grant search with ChatGPT

By Maureen Terese McCarthy

With limited budget and time, it can be daunting to add "find and write a grant" to your to-do list. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every industry, from web search to music to healthcare, and nonprofits and researchers, too, can take advantage of the power of AI.  Learn how to save time and discover more opportunities with these simple tips for using ChatGPT in your grants search. 

DO: Ask ChatGPT to generate prospects

First, tell ChatGPT a little about what you are trying to fund. For example, you could prompt, "Generate a list of organizations that fund California-based nonprofits offering summer meals to kids." The model will then provide a list of funders. It's like magic! The list probably won't be perfect--it may contain out of date information or funders that are not a good fit for your particular organization--but it is a great start. Try different prompts to generate a list of funding prospects. Include your general location to direct the model to include opportunities specific to your geographic area.

DON'T: Share personal or proprietary information

Never enter personally identifiable information (e.g., your name, address, SSN), trade secrets, or proprietary information into an AI tool. We still do not know all of the privacy risks associated with using text-generating AI, but it's never a good idea to share too much online. If you are going to seek a patent for an idea or if you are working with trade secrets, do not enter any information about it/them into ChatGPT. 

DO: Ask ChatGPT to summarize the RFP

Is this grant opportunity a good fit? ChatGPT can transform complex grant solicitations into simple language to help you evaluate an opportunity. Simply copy and paste the Request for Proposals (RFP) text into the tool and ask ChatGPT to summarize.  

DON'T: Skip reading the RFP

Don't rely solely on ChatGPT to provide all the important points of any given RFP.  Although ChatGPT can provide a quick overview of the solicitation's main ideas, the tool is not perfect. You should still plan to read the solicitation carefully and double check your organization's eligibility and fit.  

DO: Have ChatGPT write a first draft

ChatGPT is the perfect tool for writer's block. If you're struggling to get started with a grant application, you can ask it to write a first draft for you. Submit the instructions, a description of the funder's goals, and an anonymized summary of your project, and the model can generate a first draft for you to work with. From here, edit (seriously! edit!) and add specificity.

DON'T: Use anything wholly written by ChatGPT

Perhaps most importantly, you should always vet AI-generated content. After ChatGPT generates a list of possible funders for you, do your own research about those organizations to see if they will be a good funding fit. When the tool generates a first draft for you, the text is likely to be generic and lacking the passion you have for your mission. Depending on how you ask, the draft may not adhere to the format requested in the RFP. You should edit AI-generated drafts to add in the specifics of your organization and project, and double check for responsiveness to the RFP. Never submit exclusively AI-written content to a funder. 

How do you use ChatGPT to help you find and apply for grants? What advice do you have for others trying for the first time? Join the conversation on Twitter or LinkedIn.