By skyforbes 🧠 1. Start with the Mission + Goals
Before anything else, I ask ChatGPT to help me clarify what my project is and why it matters.
“You’re a nonprofit grant strategist. Help me write a mission statement and 3 main goals for a $5,000 grant that supports a digital course teaching single moms how to launch online businesses. Make it empowering, clear, and community-focused.”
This one prompt gives me a solid foundation to build the rest of the application.
📝 2. Draft the Full Proposal
Once I know my goals, I ask GPT to turn it into a complete grant proposal — so I’m not stuck staring at a blank screen.
“Write a grant proposal for a $5,000 digital entrepreneurship program for single moms. Include a mission, project overview, how the funds will be used, expected results, and the bigger community impact. Make it sound professional but still passionate and real.”
This becomes my rough draft — usually 80% done. I just tweak it for each grant.
💸 3. Create the Budget Narrative
Explaining the money part used to trip me up. Now I give GPT the numbers, and it writes the explanation.
“Write a short budget narrative explaining how I’ll use $5,000 across marketing ($1,500), course development ($1,500), software/tools ($1,000), and admin costs ($1,000). Make it sound organized, responsible, and aligned with community goals.”
Done. And it actually sounds like I know what I’m doing.
✂️ 4. Clean Up the Wording
Sometimes my wording feels off — too casual or too clunky. I let ChatGPT polish it.
“Here’s a paragraph from my proposal: [paste it]. Can you make this more clear and compelling, while keeping it mission-driven and authentic?”
I use this trick for every section I second-guess.
💌 5. Write the Follow-Up Email
I never used to follow up after applying (because, well… tired). Now I just paste this in:
“Write a quick follow-up email to thank the grant committee for reviewing my application and let them know I’d love to stay in touch for future funding opportunities. Make it warm and professional.”
Hit send. Done.
You Don’t Need to Do It All Alone
ChatGPT became my co-writer — not just for grant writing, but for helping me finally feel like I had a handle on things. It’s saved me time, stress, and decision fatigue.
And now? I actually enjoy hitting submit.
🎁 Want all of my grant prompts, tools, and templates?
👉 Grab the free Autopilot Starter Pack
It’s how I stopped overthinking and started getting results — without the grind.