Grant Technology:

It's AI and so Much More!

AI, search engines and databases are transforming the nonprofit grant research, proposal writing, tracking and submission processes. 

But two important notes before we start: 

1. Check the Tech: While technology can make a lot of things easier, it’s essential that you review everything that your technology produces. In other words, don’t rely on the technology to be 100% correct. It probably won’t be.
2. Don’t spam. Technology makes it easier to submit more proposals than ever before. This is great if your mission aligns with the funder’s. However, too many applicants seem to value quantity over quality, sending proposals to funders who have little if any interest in their mission. This is a mistake. It wastes your time and theirs and damages your reputation with the funder.

That said, technology can bring a lot to your efforts. Here’s some examples:

Efficient Grant Research: Search engines and specialized grant databases that aggregate key grant data can help organizations find appropriate funding opportunities related to their mission and program needs, so that they don’t fall through the cracks.

Writing Grant Proposals: While brilliant writing isn’t a requirement in proposal writing, it helps to be clear and competent. Correct grammar is essential, and being able to write quickly helps a lot. Technology gives us three significant tools to help: word processing grammar/spell check, speech to text and artificial intelligence (AI). All of these can move you from first draft to final submission faster and more accurately.  

Focusing on Their Mission: Technology can personalize your ideas for your funder, showing where your missions overlap, providing them with what they want and need to hear – improving your chances of grant success. 

Advanced Data-Driven Analysis: In-house databases can now help you understand trends and insights that indicate the effectiveness of a program for use in grant proposals – making proposals much more compelling to prospective

See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Frequently Asked Questions: Grant Technology

Overview

What is "Grant Technology"?

Grant technology refers to the suite of modern tools—including Artificial Intelligence (AI), search engines, databases, and cloud platforms—that are transforming how nonprofits research, write, track, and submit grant proposals.

Why is technology important for grant seeking?

Leveraging technology correctly can help your nonprofit:

• Find Funding Faster: Aggregate key grant data to find "best fit" opportunities.
• Improve Writing: Use AI and grammar checkers to move from first draft to final submission quickly.
• Track Proposals: Monitor deadlines and follow-ups to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Analyze Data: Use internal databases to prove program effectiveness to funders.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Grants 

How can AI help with grant writing?

AI tools can assist with drafting content, grammar checking, and even personalizing your proposal to match a funder's mission. However, the page emphasizes that you should never rely on technology to be 100% correct—human review is essential.

Are there specific AI courses available?

Yes. The page features content such as:

• Revolutionizing Grant Writing: Unleashing AI’s Potential by Holly Rustick.
• AI Prompting for Writers and Editors by Knowadays.
• Grant Writing with chatGPT by Cedar Fundraising.

Is using AI considered "cheating"?

No, but it must be used ethically. The sources warn against "spamming" funders with generic AI-generated proposals. The goal is quality over quantity—using tech to craft better, more targeted proposals, not just more of them.

Are there resources for what AI can do for my nonprofit other than grants?

Yes! Go to Nonprofit AI Courses

Tools & Software

What is Grant Management Software?

Grant Management Software (often called GEMS) helps you organize the entire lifecycle of a grant. It tracks deadlines, stores documents, and logs communications. You can find reviews and best practices for these tools, such as Grant Easy Management Software REVIEWED.

Can technology help with things other than writing?

Absolutely. Technology is critical for:

• Logic Models: Developing program frameworks (e.g., Using Technology to Develop Program Logic Models).
• Collaboration: Allowing teams to work on proposals simultaneously from different locations.
• CRM Integration: Syncing grant data with platforms like Salesforce (e.g., Syncing Salesforce Fundraising/Grant Management).

Resources & Experts

Who provides the training on this page?

You will find advice from tech-forward experts and organizations like Instrumentl, Holly Rustick, Nonprofit Utopia, iMission Institute, and Cedar Fundraising.

Is there free content available?

Yes. Many of the resources, including webinars on ChatGPT and panel discussions on software best practices, are available for free.