GRANT KNOWLEDGE DOCUMENT Organisation: [Your organisation name] Last updated: [Date] How to use this template ------------------------ Fill in each section below. Aim for at least 50 words per answer. Write in plain paragraphs - avoid bullet points or heavy formatting. Write what is true and evidenced, not what sounds impressive. When you are done, save this file and upload it to your AI Project (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or similar - free tiers with Projects/Gems work for this single document). Follow these three steps in order at the start of every drafting session: STEP 1 - Load your document (paste when you open a new conversation): "Please read Grant Knowledge Document Template.txt from this project before we begin. This is my organisation's grant writing knowledge document - it contains all the context you need. Let me know when you have read it and I will tell you what we are working on today." (Update the filename above if you renamed the document.) STEP 2 - Share all the application questions at once: Once the AI confirms it has read your document, paste this: "Here is the full list of questions from the application form. Please read them as a set so you can see the complete shape of the application, but do not start answering them yet. Just confirm when you have understood the full list and wait for my next instruction. [Paste all application questions here]" STEP 3 - Set the rules for how it works through them: "Now that you can see all the questions, please read through them as a set before we begin. Plan how to distribute information across answers without repeating yourself. Then work through each question one at a time: before drafting each answer, ask me any targeted questions if the knowledge document does not give you enough to write a specific, evidenced response. Do not move to the next question until we have agreed on the current answer. I would rather go back and forth than receive a full set of vague drafts." Keep this document up to date. When the AI surfaces new information during a drafting session, add it back here afterwards. ------------------------------------------------------------------ SECTION 1: YOUR CHARITY / ORGANISATION Who you are and who you serve ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 1.1: What is your organisation's name? Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 1.2: What kind of organisation are you? (Registered charity, CIC, volunteer-led community group, etc. If not registered, note that you have a constitution and trustees or management committee.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 1.3: How big are you? (Annual income, or if newly set up, an estimate for this year.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 1.4: Who does your organisation support and where? (Be specific about groups and location. Note any groups that are a priority for funders you commonly apply to.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 1.5: Write a short statement describing your organisation and the services or support it provides. (The funder probably knows nothing about you. Tell them what you do and how. Include any particular expertise or capabilities.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ SECTION 2: ABOUT YOUR FUNDING BID PROJECT / ACTIVITY The need, the plan, and the difference you will make ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.1: Why is your charitable project or activity needed? (What is the unmet need you address? Use data and evidence. It is not about what you want, but what your beneficiaries need.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.2: What makes funding your project so urgent and/or important? (What is particularly pressing? Any recent research, media coverage or rising demand that makes this issue especially timely?) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.3: Tell me about any key dates and how long it will last. (Include milestones and deadlines. Many funders meet quarterly or annually, so give them enough lead time.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.4: Describe what your project will involve, how it will be delivered, where and by whom, including any partners. (Give funders the detail they need to see a practical, deliverable plan.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.5: Outcomes are the difference your project will make. List these, including who will benefit, the numbers, and how big an impact this will have on them. (Outcomes are changes for people, not activities delivered. How many will benefit, and how significantly?) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.6: Will there be other benefits, such as impact on the wider community, sustainability, or best practice to be shared? (Wider, longer-term impact - community effects, systemic change, or something that outlasts the funded period.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 2.7: How will you know or measure that your project has been a success, and how will you report to the funder? (Methods, tools, frequency. How will the funder hear about the impact they have made?) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ SECTION 3: THE GRANT FUNDING YOU NEED Amount, budget breakdown, and what it covers ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 3.1: What amount of funding are you requesting? (If it is a contribution, write "a contribution of £X towards the total cost of £Y." Mention any funding already secured.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 3.2: Provide a simple breakdown of what you will spend this funding on and the amount for each item. (Main headings and amounts only. Keep it clear and proportionate. Do not include bank details or account numbers here.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ SECTION 4: THE FINISHING TOUCHES What makes it a really good grant bid ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 4.1: Is there anything else that will make your funding bid really compelling? (Awards, accreditations, quality marks, significant data from past work, rising demand, or strong recent feedback.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Question 4.2: Do you have any quotes that show the impact you have on people's lives? (Attribute by role title or "anonymous" - never include full names or identifying details about the people you support.) Answer: ------------------------------------------------------------------ END OF TEMPLATE Add to this document over time. The more specific and evidenced your answers, the stronger every draft the AI produces will be. Built with the Charity Excellence question framework. A free resource from Grant Resource Studio - grantresourcestudio.com