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November 6, 2025 By Rohit Mehta with Edits from Jason Shim and Tina Crouse, AI Experts Personally, I have done a full 180 in the last year. I went from being against grant writing, thinking that it was taking away our creativity, our independence, and making our writing less unique. However, AI adoption has picked up and most of our clients who use AI have asked us to review their text versus writing grants from scratch. The software has improved, hallucinating less, more accurate, and more tailored and it's here to stay. So in this post I'd like to send a clear message, it's okay to use AI in grant writing. In fact, I think it's expected by institutional funders at this time. It's acceptable that some AI will be used to write grant proposals, so I'm all for it. Five ways that you can use AI to support your proposal writing process: Bridging Blocks Of Text You can use a prompt like “You are a writing expert. I'm working on a grant for X organization and their website is Y. The question is “Z”. Without adding new content, could you bridge the following bullet points? Here’s my bullet points…” This can be a really effective tool as it adds words to join your sentences and avoids expanding on your concepts with new information. You are giving it a specific role, and by providing the website for your organization, it provides useful context for the AI to draw upon. To Look Up Statistics Or Citations Use a prompt like “… the question is “X”. Using statistics or data specifically for Toronto, Ontario, can you identify statistics or research which suggests that marginalized residents are more likely to experience barriers to employment? Provide direct links to citations.” In this prompt, we are asking the software to stick with a geographic region such as Toronto, and specifically asking it to research something that backs up or validates an assumption. Additionally, asking it to provide citations helps to ground it in data, however you also need to verify that the citations are genuine, accurate, and taken in the right context. To Check For Grammar And Consistency You can ask the software “ … here is a summary of my project. You are an expert copy editor. Can you review the answers and check for consistency, and look for any discrepancies in logic or flow?” Identify them in a list so that I can make corrections myself. Here’s my answer…” In this example, one thing that I like to do is to ask the AI to guide me by giving me a list of corrections so that it's not doing all the work for me. I think it's really important that we maintain our skills while decreasing our stress level but avoiding passing on the mental aspect of the work to the software, as critical thinking keeps us sharp. To Assess Your Responses Ask the software to assist you by copying and pasting the evaluation or rubric, and then asking it to assess your responses based on the rubric. You can write something like: “… I'm providing a rubric which is used by funder X to evaluate Grant proposals. Using this as an assessment tool, can you review the following answer and assess my answer and determine where I would score in this rubric? please suggest how I could make improvements and list out the suggestions so that I can learn from it. Here’s the rubric: …” The software then reviews the rubric and completes an assessment just like a grant reviewer would. In many cases it will be able to provide you with some helpful feedback. Another tool for this is the Notebook Language Model, which summarizes your findings based on documents you upload, without looking up the details from the world wide web. You might be in a rush and realize that your 500 word answer actually has to be 200 words. In this case, here's what you can do to summarize large blocks of text: “…The question asks X. In 200 words or less, could you summarize the following text? …” In all examples, remember to start with “I'm working on a grant for Y organization and their website is Z…” as it primes the AI on how to think, and what you’re expecting from it. Hope this helps you to do more with this new tool! Did you know that we offer workshops to teach and train boards, groups of staff, and volunteers on how to use AI tools more effectively? Did you know we have expertise in Fund Development and strategy, and can help you with decision-making regarding the use of AI tools? Reach out to us at info@dogoodfinding.ca and let's raise more money!

By Bill Crawford, Consultant For me, fundraising is a lot like driving to a destination. I have been driving for a long time. I have a lot of experience driving and most would say, save for my wife on occasion, that I am pretty good at it. I like to drive, especially on long trips that may take a couple of days or require a little bit of planning to pre-book accommodations or secure passage on a ferry. Even though I am in the driver’s seat, I often seek out help to make sure I get to my destination without too much delay or trouble. A co-pilot or navigator in the passenger seat is often a helpful addition not only to make sure I make the next turn, but also as a companion on the journey making the whole experience that much more enjoyable. A GPS is a valuable tool that most of us use these days to quickly aid us to get from point A to point B. Even when it indignantly says “Recalculating!”, you still know that it has your best interests in mind. It is only trying to get you to your destination by the quickest and safest route possible despite your missteps. There are even times when I need to let go of the wheel and let someone else drive. Fundraising is no different. In my thirty years working for nonprofits, I was responsible for much of the fundraising. I wrote countless community grants and foundation requests. Some were simple one page appeals. Others required lengthier responses to multi-page questionnaires. Some were for a couple of thousand dollars or less. Others were for hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars over multiple years. Some smaller grants just asked for your organizational budget or some other readily available document, while other larger grants had a long list of required documents that sometimes were more difficult to attain than writing the grant. My point is that it was often a lot of work especially because it was never just one grant but many grants over the course of the year and often multiple grants that needed to get done all at the same time. And the truth is: I didn’t do it all alone. Nor should you. That’s where DoGood Funding comes in. Whether you need a reliable co-pilot, a helpful navigator, or someone to take the wheel completely, we’re here to help you reach your fundraising goals. We’ll guide you through the process, offer expert feedback, or write the grant for you—so you can focus on your mission. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Let DoGood Funding help drive your grant writing success. Reach out today. You’ll be glad you did. Bill is the former Executive Director of Mississauga-based Eden Food For Change, and a Consultant with DoGood Funding.

DoGood Team at The EWB Conference 2025 in Mississauga. During a recession, nonprofits face financial challenges as donations decrease and economic instability affects funding sources. To ensure your organization remains resilient, consider these three key strategies: 1) Emergency fund During a recession, the best thing to do is to set up an emergency fund. This will help you to be able to withstand fluctuations in revenues while being able to maintain your organization's expenses.  Layoffs and a downturn in the economy means that donations will decrease. Now is the time to encourage your donors and supporters to contribute to your work. You can even remind your donors that they may receive a tax receipt if your organization is a registered charity. 2) Reduce spending As a for-profit business, we often speak with other business owners and we are hearing the same sentiment. Revenues are down and as a result  we must keep costs low. For this reason we recommend having a look at your spending in your organization.  Do you have subscriptions that you're not currently utilizing?  Are there costs that you can reduce in your operations?  Now is the time to reduce spending to be prepared for future fluctuations in the economy. 3) Diversify funding streams It is critical that your organization diversify its revenue. This is something we typically recommend to our clients and you can do so through a number of channels. Some popular methods to diversify revenue include: Direct mail Online giving Peer to peer giving Special events Bequests Major gifts The DoGood team is available if you're looking for a paid consultation or advice on how to thrive during tough economic times. Please connect with us through your favorite social media platform, by email at info at dogoodfunding.ca or using the contact us page on our website.  PS here’s a good read from the last economic crisis. Check out “How Charities Should Respond to the Covid Crisis”

#1  Relationships are key to success in our sector Throughout  the conference, I was reminded that relationships  play a big part in determining success. It's well known that building relationships with funders can lead  to better grants. However, building these relationships also helps to spread the word about the  good work that your organization is  doing.  It was so nice to run into Anne-Marie Pierce, former CEO of the Mississauga Foundation. While she has moved to the Brant Foundation, she was kind enough to introduce me to some colleagues and let them know about the work I'm doing with DoGood. She reminded me that a strong personal relationship can help to cultivate a champion that is inspired to share your mission in a positive way.  That was a highlight of the conference for me! Rohit with Anne-Marie Pierce, former CEO of the Mississauga Foundation. #2  - You're not alone -  we're all facing similar challenges We're all feeling the effects of economic tariffs, the onslaught of artificial intelligence, and political instability. Tariffs have caused many challenges with fewer interactions with our neighbors to the South, and decreased revenues for many businesses.  Artificial Intelligence is not only actively disrupting our workplace, but is putting increased pressure on staff to get more done in less time.  The unexpected changes in government and the few months of little to no government funding is having an impact on our sector. Together, these  have a measurable impact on donors , funders and operations, and no organization across the country is immune. #3 Indigenous reconciliation is a key priority for Community Foundations A portion of the conference included heartfelt and personal testimonies from survivors of Residential Schools. One elder had some simple, but essential advice which was to tell our family that we love them. Another talked about how we must not forget about Indigenous families and children. #4  Pooling wealth leads to more wealth, more funding, and more impact Many large wealth management companies were present at the event as exhibitors. In speaking to them, I realized that several of the organizations who do frontline community work may not be eligible for their asset management portfolios. However, Community Foundations specialize in pooling assets and earning great rates of return for donors. This is significant and is a strong reason why mission-driven organizations should seriously consider speaking with your local Foundation. If your organization can make an investment in an endowment fund, for instance, this can lead to a lifetime of impact! #5 When attending a conference, don't forget to have fun! Finally, the highlight of the conference was the performance of a Juno award-winning band featuring Mongan Toney, a Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer. They asked if anyone in the audience knew how to dance to fast-paced fiddle music, and I can still picture some of our East Coast friends who hopped along to the music in an incredible and artistic display. The crowd was roaring, and I thought to myself, “now this is not your typical conference!”

To the nonprofits and charities who joined us for our September 12 DoGood Retreat, thank you so much for taking part in this year’s #DoGoodDay conference! Save the Date! Next year’s Ontario event will take place from September 11-12, 2025 in Mississauga and Caledon, On. We will be calling on charities and non-profits from across the province to join us. We would like to thank all of our speakers who took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge and experience with our event participants: Aneil Gokhale – Funder Perspectives Panel Discussion Lorraine Crow – Funder Perspectives Panel Discussion Teresa Riczu – DoGood Fundraising Strategy and Engagement Panel Bill Crawford – DoGood Fundraising Strategy and Engagement Panel Stephanie Crocker – From the Frontlines: Leading the Growth of Grassroots Change Megan Kee – Using Social Media and Collective Action to Claim the Right to Housing Kevin Birmingham – The Journey of a Lifetime: Reflections from a Career In Fundraising Vishal Srivastava – GiveLife365 CRM for Changemakers To our sponsors, Alterna Savings , GiveLife 365 , CanadaHelps , OASSIS Benefit Plans , Imagine Canada , and GoodLot Farmstead Brewing , thank you so much for helping us to make this event enjoyable and cost-effective for our participants! Special shout out to DoGood staff members Sanjana for leading the event and being our emcee. I want to also thank Alex for his support and sponsor engagement, and Teresa and Bill for joining us for the panel and conference activities.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Seed Grant offers an incredible opportunity for not-for-profits and charities to secure funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. These grants are designed to help organizations like yours build capacity, and enhance sustainability in delivering vital community services. Eligible applicants can use the Seed Grant to address medium to long-term organizational challenges. By hiring a consultant from DoGood Funding for fund development or strategic planning services, your organization can benefit from expert guidance and a fresh perspective. Here’s how our consultancy services can empower your organization: Develop New Approaches to Generating Revenue: Our consultants will help you explore innovative fundraising strategies and diversify your income streams, ensuring financial stability and growth. Start New Activities to Meet Community Needs: We’ll work with you to identify emerging community needs and develop programs to address them, expanding your impact and relevance. Think Strategically About Current and Future Challenges: An external consultant brings objectivity and expertise, helping you navigate complexities and plan effectively for the future. Leverage the OTF Seed Grant to invest in professional consultancy services from DoGood Funding, and position your organization for long-term success and resilience. Apply now to unlock your organization’s potential! To learn more or confirm your interest, please contact sales@dogoodfundraising.ca

There are significant arts funding opportunities coming up for organizations who are doing good work in their communities. The Ontario Arts Council is offering multiple grants for non-profits and charities. The Theatre Projects grant provides up to $20,000 through five categories. This grant supports professional theatrical exploration, creation, development, production, and presentation. The deadline is August 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET, and eligibility is limited to organizations with a head office in Ontario. Canada Council for the Arts is offering the Strategic Innovation Seed Grant, which provides up to $25,000. This grant helps applicants think, explore, experiment, and prepare for innovation. The deadline is July 10, 2024, and it is open to Canadian organizations with an approved profile. The Metcalf Foundation is offering the Performing Arts Strategic Experimentation Fund, with grants of up to $40,000. This grant encourages strategic approaches to organizational development, capacity building, and problem-solving in all aspects of operations, including artistic, administrative, and audience-building. The deadline is June 25, 2024. Additionally, the Metcalf Foundation is offering the Performing Arts Booster Fund, with grants of up to $30,000 to support projects or activities planned for 2025. This grant focuses on existing projects and activities, providing additional financial resources to increase support for artists and arts workers. The deadline is October 2, 2024. To learn more or confirm your interest in receiving support for any of these grants, please contact sales@dogoodfundraising.ca

A major funder, the the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) unveiled its 2024 Seed Grant program on Apr. 17, offering up to $100,000 for qualified organizations with new and innovative programs in multiple sectors. The grant for Ontario applicants only, is notable for its broader eligibility criteria and applicability within multiple sectors. It signals a season of opportunity for organizations ranging from arts and culture groups to environmental watchdogs. The OTF Seed Grant has made it possible for a diverse array of organizations to envision and realize impactful projects, many of which have been supported by DoGood Funding. This grant promises up to 100% funding of eligible expenses, capping at a generous $100,000 for a 6- or 12-month project. The scope of eligibility includes charitable organizations, not-for-profits, Indigenous communities, and small municipalities, among others. Grants as flexible as the OTF Seed Grant do not come by often—typically only once or twice a year. This rarity makes the current opportunity all the more crucial. Organizations are urged to seize this chance to fund organizational planning, pilot new programs, or bolster their capacity to serve their communities more robustly. What sets the OTF Seed Grant apart is its efficiency. The funder has streamlined the application process to ensure that more time is spent on actual program delivery rather than bureaucratic navigation. From digital adaptation strategies to the enhancement of staff and volunteer skills, the grant supports a range of activities designed to fortify organizations from the inside out. It’s clear that OTF’s goal is to supercharge non-profits across the province, empowering them to tackle community needs more effectively. By lowering the barriers to funding, the OTF is not just funding projects; it’s investing in the long-term resilience and capability of the province’s non-profit sector. For those looking to make a significant impact in their communities, the time to act is now. With a deadline of June 26, 2024 rapidly approaching, potential applicants should begin preparing their proposals posthaste to take full advantage of this extraordinary funding opportunity. DoGood Fundraising has already received significant expressions of interest in the funding opportunity, and will be prioritizing these clients, with additional interest being assigned to “submission cycles” in order to improve efficiency and submit applications long in advance of the deadline. To learn more or confirm your interest in this file, please contact sales@dogoodfundraising.ca

Grant funding has emerged as a vital — and at times, critical resource in non-profit funding needs, offering non-profits the means to support their capital projects and further their cause. If you’re viewing this article, you may have already seen first-hand how critical non-repayable funding can be to your organization, particularly for specific projects or (the ever-elusive) operational costs. Non-repayable grants have always been an attractive option for non-profits looking to finance their initiatives without compromising their financial stability. On February 7, a significant capital grant was made available to charities and non-profit organizations based in Ontario. Here’s some strategies to consider when applying for this grant: Does your organization meet strict financial statement requirements, and possess mandatory documents? Does your organization have a pressing capital need? Whether shelving, HVAC, accessibility retrofits, or perhaps new equipment or technology, this grant provides significant support. Does your organization possess a 5-year lease or proof of ownership? This is a requirement, and anything less than a 5-year lease will be declined. Can your organization afford to wait until July 2024 for funds to arrive? This is when we anticipate cheques to arrive based on successful grant outcomes. Applicants should adopt a strategic approach to capital grant funding by reviewing grant details. DoGood Funding can make this information available to you at no charge. For any inquiries related to our grant writing services or how we can help you win a capital grant, contact me, at sales@dogoodfundraising.ca.