Embracing AI in Grant Writing: Reflections from a Boomer

As someone who’s written grants for a living for over 25 years,

I’ve seen the world of grant writing evolve in ways I never

could have imagined. From the days of manual electric

typewriters, correction tapes and liquids, my reliance on

WordPerfect software and fax machines, to the rise of the

internet– each technological leap has brought its own set of

challenges and opportunities. But nothing has transformed the

grant writing landscape as profoundly as artificial intelligence

(AI). Now in my seventies, I find myself marveling at how AI has

changed the world of grant writing—and, in many ways, how it

is changing me. It is also a reminder of another profound reality that in the wise words of my 98, a couple weeks away from turning 99-year-old Aunt Lela, “This world ain’t meant for old people!”

Looking back to my early days.

Grant writing for me is a labor of love, patience, and persistence. It fulfills a deep passion

to support and strengthen the nonprofit sector, especially organizations led by or serving

people of color. My introduction to grant writing began in the 80’s. It was a painstaking

process. Being a data geek, doing the research for a grant was exciting and it’s something that I still enjoy! Research back then meant hours spent in libraries, perusing books and journals, state & federal data reports, etc. hunting down information that could make a proposal stand out. Each application was crafted with care and often involving countless revisions. The process was slow, tedious, and required a deep understanding of the subject matter. During those times, I discovered my niche, as I mainly focused on the maternal, child & adolescent health arena in order to use similar data across multiple proposals.

Back then, the tools we used were pretty basic and would be considered “stone-age” by

today’s standards. A computer was still a luxury, and most of the work was initially written by

hand or on a typewriter. Before “cut & paste” we would literally “cut & tape” - pages from old proposals, taped together to use in another one. Communication with those working on the grant happened via a multitude of in-person meetings, snail mail or, if you were lucky, a fax machine. Despite the cumbersome nature of the work, there was something deeply satisfying about the process—each successful grant felt like a hard-won victory. Those old victories also included creating backup plans for the proposal’s timely delivery via the local post office, a courier service, or as a last resort, driving it to its destination to meet the deadline!

The arrival of AI.

In my “retirement”, I’ve made it a point to stay curious and open to new ideas. I’ve taken

courses, attended webinars, and remain engaged with those who are more tech-savvy like my younger consulting clients and with my college-bound grandson. This has not only kept me relevant in my field, but also enriched my understanding of how AI and other technology tools can be leveraged to create even better grant proposals. Fast forward to today, and the landscape of grant writing has been irrevocably altered by artificial intelligence. During my grant review experience, I saw examples of how AI can be used as a grant writing tool. There were times where the applicant’s narrative told a compelling story; yet in other sections, the language seemed disjointed; places where the words “felt” robotic – lacking the emotional charge you can bring to grant proposals. This led me to widen my wonder…

I found a free webinar sponsored by GrantStation – the place to go for effective grant-

seeking information. This AI webinar took us through a fast-paced introduction to the Large

Language Model (LLM) basics of AI chatbots. And it was clear to me that there was an

intergenerational audience, from the presenters’ facilitation styles and by reading the lengthy, rich chat discussions. As one presenter gently hinted their age by professing, “I remember having to use the card catalogue…” (The Dewey Decimal System, remember that???)

AI tools have revolutionized research, writing, and editing. These skills are a cornerstone of

grant writing. What once took days or even weeks can now be accomplished in hours. Using

AI-powered databases and search engines, you can sift through vast amounts of information

in seconds. No longer a need to spend hours in a library; instead, you can access everything

you need - relevant data, trends, and potential funding sources from your computer.

By using AI-driven writing assistants, you can generate draft proposals, suggest

improvements, and even check for consistency and tone! These tools are particularly useful

for novice grant writers who may not have the experience to craft a compelling narrative.

While I still prefer to write my own drafts, I’ve come to appreciate the way AI can help refine

and enhance my work. While it can be daunting to learn new tools, the benefits far outweigh

the challenges.

AI has the potential to make you a better, more efficient grant writer. That said, it’s crucial

not to lose sight of the human element in grant writing. AI can provide data, generate text, and optimize certain processes, but it cannot replace the creativity, passion, and personal touch that are essential to crafting a winning grant proposal. The best proposals are still those that tell a compelling story, one that resonates with the funder and clearly articulates the need for funding. This is where experience and intuition come into play—qualities that no AI can replicate, not yet at least! Remember, find a good balance on how to use AI as a supplement, not a substitute!

If you’ve read to the end, here’s the free AI webinar from GrantStation. Thanks Jeremy!

And here’s Big Mama’s Ten Tips for Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Grant Writing and

don’t forget Big Mama’s Playbook featuring this week’s grant listings!

Weekly wisdom in their own words:

Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a

chance to change the world…”

-Dolores Huerta (1930 - )