The Impact Issue #6: How To Use (and Not Use) AI in Grant Writing

Happy March!

If you work in an educational setting, you might be gearing up for spring break.

If you’re like the rest of us, hopefully you have another excuse to set your OOO in the near future.

Either way, we’re back with another newsletter to make keeping up a tiny bit easier.

This week, we’ve got tips for using AI in grant writing, an easy-to-use graphic design tool, and the details on invite-only funding, plus opportunities, events, and so much more.

See you on the other side.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

It’s in your phone, your house, and, yes, now it’s in your writing.

Artificial intelligence is the latest technological advancement that has everyone talking.

But there’s an art to using AI as a grant writer.

Sure, ChatGPT will crank out whatever you ask it to (assuming you feed it the right prompts), but how can you use it to your full advantage?

And what are some things you should keep AI far, far away from?

⚠️ Pitfall: Letting AI Produce Your Final Product

Although AI is a powerful tool, it’s not perfect.

Completely trusting ChatGPT with the reins on all your projects could very well leave you with:

• Errors
• Misunderstandings
• Inauthenticity

But don’t let those fears keep you from adding AI to your workflows at all.

💡 Pointer: Use AI as a Starting Point

Although it shouldn’t be your final product, AI can take you from a blank page to a rough draft in minutes.

While it gets the creative juices flowing, your expertise, insight, and human touch are what will make a compelling proposal.

And that’s what can ultimately win you the grant.

🤖 Brush up on more tips for using AI as a grant writer!

🎁 And get 20+ FREE ChatGPT prompts you can start using in your grant writing today!

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Tech You Should Know

From raising awareness to recruiting volunteers to finding donors, graphics are often key to enticing supporters to get involved with your cause.

But without the 100+ person marketing teams you often see at large corporations, nonprofits have to get a little more crafty with their graphic design strategy.

Luckily, we have a solution for that.

What:

Canva is a free online platform that makes graphic design fast, simple, and easy.

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Social Media: Create single images, carousels, page banners, and so much more using their perfectly-sized templates.
• Infographics: Tell the story of your cause, illustrate the impact of your organization’s work, or break down complex topics with free templates and graphics.
• Print Marketing: Design mailers, advertisements, flyers, and so much more using one of their eye-catching designs or creating your own from a blank pattern.
• Miscellaneous Images: Need an image to go with your blog? How about a random website graphic on your home page? Canva has something to get you started.

Keep in Mind:

• Logos: Although you can create logos, keep in mind that anything designed in Canva can be recreated by anyone and cannot be trademarked.
• Paid Elements: Keep an eye out for the crown graphic or “Pro” label on different images – if it’s in a template you love, you can easily swap it for something free.

Looking for more tips to help your cause stand out?

🎨 Check out this guide to graphic design for nonprofits!

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Jessica Knapp on securing invite-only funding

Being invited to an invite-only grant can make you feel like the VIP of the nonprofit world.

But how do you earn that invite? And more importantly, how do you win that funding?

Jessica Knapp, State President and CEO of Communities In Schools Pennsylvania, recently gave us some insight into her strategy for accessing (and securing) these opportunities.

Here’s her expert advice:

• Build Strong Relationships: Research organizations, find ones that align with your mission, and attend events or arrange meetings to see them in person.‍
• Demonstrate Your Impact: Communicate the impact of your organization’s work through data, success stories, and testimonials.‍
• Customize Proposals: Once you’ve earned an invitation, put your best foot forward with a proposal that perfectly matches the priorities and guidelines set by the funder.‍
• Follow Up and Express Gratitude: Keep your funder updated on your project or program, and show them the impact their funding had on your cause.

👉 Explore more expert practices and strategies for securing invite-only funding!

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Featured Nonprofit

Phoenix Children's Foundation

Saves 3 hours per week on grant prospecting with Instrumentl

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Mission: To advance hope, healing, and world-class health care for children and their families in Arizona and beyond

Phoenix Children’s Foundation was established to support patients and families at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. They offer giving groups, events, and support programs to help ensure the best pediatric care for children and families in Arizona.

Beth Noble, Senior Grant Administrator, discovered Instrumentl at a GPA conference and was immediately impressed with the platform.

“When you’re part of a smaller team, you don’t really have time to waste,” Beth shared with us. “I like that we’re able to clearly see what’s in the pipeline and what’s planned for each year. And then we’re able to move them through the stages as the process goes through.”

Today, Phoenix Children’s Foundation saves approximately 3 hours per week using Instrumentl’s grant prospecting capabilities.

Thank you for your time, Beth, and we’re so glad we can help make a difference in your mission!

🔍 Explore some of the other features Phoenix Children’s uses to find and win funding!

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Opportunities Spotlight

🏥 Gibbs Family Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: Programs for individuals at risk of contracting or developing rare diseases such as infectious diseases, certain cancers, and neurological conditions

Next Deadline: July 1, 2024 (Letter of Inquiry)

Grant Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000

The Details:

• Goals for this program include:
  • Engaging the community at large
  • Prevention screening and testing
  • Increasing awareness of consequences related to behavior modification
  • Targeting at-risk individuals with a focus on underserved populations
  • Disseminating information
• Priority is given to programs that demonstrate financial stability, use innovative approaches, and further the mission of the Foundation

👉 Apply Here!

🔗 Resiliency Grant Program

Who It’s For: Organizations with 12-month projects to increase network resiliency in communities prone to natural disasters

Next Deadline: September 15, 2024 (Predicted)

Grant Amount: US $250,000 - US $500,000

The Details:

• Programs should help local communities maintain, repair, or re-establish internet connectivity in the face of natural and climate-related disasters
•  Examples of the types of projects the Foundation will support include:
  • Supporting the development of community networks
  • Hardening data centers and IXPs against environmental threats
  • Fortifying sub-sea cables and/or stations
  • Supporting ISPs to upgrade infrastructure

👉 Apply Here!

What’s your organization’s mission?

➡️ Explore thousands of other grant opportunities to find a good fit for you!

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Networking Nook

The opportunities that were originally shared in this issue of The Impact have since passed. To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: Navigating the Seas of Grant Writing: 10 Vital Insights for Charitable Success

Coaches Across Continents, an organization dedicated to creating social impact through sports, recently published this helpful guide for crafting the perfect grant pitch.

👉 Explore Their Tips!

🎁 Free Download: 10 Ready-to-Use Cold Email Templates That Break The Ice With Funders

Easily connect with brand new funders to make a direct impact, establish common ground, or foster curiosity using these 10 compelling cold email templates.

👉 Get the Freebie!

🎙️Podcast: How to scale altruism

The latest episode of Rob Harter’s Nonprofit Leadership Podcast features a conversation on solving nonprofit challenges and amplifying the good an organization can do.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

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Secure Funding the Easy Way

A grant writer’s work is never done, but Instrumentl makes it effortless. Discover how you can prospect, track, manage, and win opportunities in one user-friendly platform 👇

🔥 Try Instrumentl FREE for 14 days!