AI for Nonprofits Workshop

Challenge #2

The $100,000 Grant Funding Challenge

THE SCENARIO

Your nonprofit needs to secure $100,000 in new grant funding over the next six months (your annual operating budget is $600,000). Several existing grants are expiring, competition for foundation funding is increasing, and your organization has limited staff capacity.

THE CHALLENGE

Your task is NOT to develop a grant funding strategy. Instead, your group will explore the different ways AI might help your organization make better fundraising decisions, work more efficiently, and improve its chances of securing funding.

Discuss these questions:

  1. Where could AI help? Brainstorm as many different ways as possible that AI could support the grant fundraising process, from researching funders and evaluating opportunities to analyzing program data, strengthening proposals, and managing deadlines.

  2. Which uses would be most valuable? Of the ideas you've identified, which would save the most time or money? Which would most improve the organization's chances of securing funding? Are there applications that would do both?

  3. When might AI not be helpful? What are the limitations or risks of relying on AI for fundraising research, decisions, or grant development? Where are human expertise, relationships, judgment, and oversight essential?

Be prepared to share: Your group's top 2–3 recommended uses of AI, why you chose them, and one important caution or limitation.