5 creative ways to use AI to win more grants in 2026

Grant writing in 2026 is moving beyond simple automation toward a new era of creative strategy and proactive discovery. As competition for traditional funding increases, the organizations that succeed will be those that use AI to uncover untapped opportunities and tell more human, data-driven stories.

In 2025, nonprofits moved from "experimenting" with AI to making it a core part of their operations. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus shifts to using these tools to find the perfect funder match, simplify complex compliance, and elevate the quality of every proposal through "grant talking" and intelligent synthesis.

Watch Patrick Schmitt, co-CEO of FreeWill, explore how your team can use creative AI strategies to scale your capacity and win more grants in the coming year.

In this webinar, we covered:

• How to use AI to scan IRS 990s, funder websites, and annual reports to identify grantmakers that align with your mission
• Using AI to draft, refine, and strengthen narratives while keeping your organization’s authentic voice and impact front and center
• Practical ways to integrate AI into your grant workflow—from prospect research to compliance tracking—without adding complexity to your process