Nonprofits often face the challenge of doing more with less. Limited budgets, small teams, and an overwhelming workload can make it difficult to focus on mission-driven activities. With Microsoft Copilot — an AI-powered assistant, nonprofits can shave time on tedious tasks and streamline operations.
Don’t know where to begin? We’ve compiled a quick and easy tutorial on how nonprofits can begin to use copilots to draft grant proposals.
Step 1: Research and Brainstorm Grant Opportunities
Start by collecting information on potential grants. Use Microsoft Edge with Copilot to summarize pages, extract key details from grant listings, and compile a list of opportunities in OneNote or Word.
Tip: Ask Copilot, “Summarize this grant’s eligibility criteria and deadline,” to quickly gather important details without sifting through lengthy documents.
Step 2: Drafting the Proposal
Open Word and begin a new grant proposal. Provide Copilot with a prompt like, “Create an outline for a nonprofit grant proposal focused on youth education.”
From there, you can refine each section. For example:
- Executive Summary: “Draft an executive summary that highlights our nonprofit’s mission to provide after-school STEM programs for underserved youth.”
- Statement of Need: “Generate a compelling problem statement explaining why our community needs this grant.”
- Program Description: “Write a detailed description of our proposed project, emphasizing expected outcomes and measurable impact.”
Step 3: Enhancing with Data and Evidence
Nonprofits need data to strengthen their proposals. Copilot in Excel can help analyze existing data and present it clearly.
For instance, try: “Analyze our attendance data from the last two years and generate a chart showing growth trends.”
You can also prompt Copilot to suggest impactful ways to present statistics: “Suggest a sentence summarizing our 20% increase in student participation.”
Step 4: Crafting a Strong Budget
Budgets can make or break a proposal. Use Excel with Copilot to draft a detailed budget:
- “Create a budget template for a $50,000 grant proposal, including categories for staff salaries, materials, and program expenses.”
- “Calculate the total cost if we expand our program to 100 additional students.”
Step 5: Polishing and Proofreading
Before submitting, ensure your proposal is polished and professional. Ask Copilot in Word to:
- “Rewrite this paragraph to sound more persuasive.”
- “Check the tone of this proposal to ensure it’s compelling but professional.”
- “Summarize the key points of this proposal for a one-page cover letter.”
Step 6: Managing Follow-Ups and Reports
Winning a grant isn’t the end — reporting on your progress is crucial. Use Copilot to:
- “Draft a donor thank-you email that summarizes our program’s success.”
- “Create a report template summarizing program milestones and financials.”
Final Thoughts
OptfinITy can help you harness new technology to streamline business processes. Reach out today at sales@optfinITy.com or 703-790-0400 ext. 503 for a complimentary consultation.
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