Complete List of Foundation AI Prompts with Full Text
Total: 58 Prompts across 10 Categories
Table of Contents
01
Board & Stakeholder Reporting
02
Communications & Marketing
03
Compliance & Legal
04
Data Analysis & Visualization
05
Due Diligence & Risk Assessment
06
Financial Analysis
07
Grantee Communications
08
Impact Evaluation
09
Research & Environmental Scanning
10
Strategic Planning
How to use prompts in commercial LLM's
(ex: ChatGPT)
These prompts are designed to help foundation staff leverage AI for various operational tasks. When using these prompts: Replace bracketed placeholders [like this] with your specific information, adjust the level of detail requested based on your needs, consider combining related prompts for comprehensive analysis, always review and verify AI-generated content before use, and ensure compliance with your organization's policies and procedures.
BOARD & STAKEHOLDER REPORTING
1. Quarterly Board Report
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Create a comprehensive quarterly report for the board of directors
Tags: board, quarterly, executive
Full Prompt Text:
Generate a quarterly board report including: 1) Executive summary of key achievements and challenges, 2) Grant portfolio performance metrics and highlights, 3) Financial position and burn rate, 4) Progress on strategic priorities, 5) Risk issues and mitigation, 6) Upcoming decisions needed. Format for board presentation with clear visuals.

2. Annual Impact Report
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Create a comprehensive annual impact report for stakeholders
Tags: annual, impact, stakeholders
Full Prompt Text:
Develop our annual impact report showcasing: year in review highlights, total giving and reach, impact stories by program area, grantee testimonials, financial summary, lessons learned, and future outlook. Include compelling visuals and infographics. Balance data with human stories.

3. Committee Briefing Memo
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Prepare briefing materials for board committees
Tags: committee, briefing, memo
Full Prompt Text:
Prepare a briefing memo for the [committee name] covering: background on issues, analysis of options, staff recommendations, financial implications, risk assessment, and requested actions. Include supporting data as appendices. Keep to 2-3 pages with clear action items.

4. Donor Stewardship Report
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Create personalized reports for major donors
Tags: donor, stewardship, personalized
Full Prompt Text:
Create a donor stewardship report for [donor name] showing: how their contributions were used, specific impact achieved, beneficiary stories related to their interests, financial stewardship metrics, and upcoming opportunities aligned with their giving priorities. Personalize based on donor history and preferences.

5. Regulatory Compliance Report
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Prepare reports required for regulatory compliance
Tags: compliance, regulatory, 990
Full Prompt Text:
Generate a compliance report for [regulatory requirement - e.g., 990-PF, state AG filing] including: required disclosures, grant lists, compensation information, conflict of interest statements, and lobbying activities. Ensure accuracy and completeness for regulatory submission.

6. Crisis Communication Brief
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Prepare communications for crisis or sensitive situations
Tags: crisis, communications, sensitive
Full Prompt Text:
Draft a crisis communication brief regarding [situation]. Include: situation summary, stakeholder impact analysis, key messages, Q&A preparation, communication timeline, and spokesperson assignments. Consider legal, reputational, and operational implications.
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
7. Foundation Annual Letter
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Draft annual letter from foundation leadership
Tags: annual, letter, leadership
Full Prompt Text:
Draft an annual letter from [CEO/Board Chair] reflecting on the past year and looking ahead. Include: major achievements, challenges faced, lessons learned, strategic pivots, gratitude to partners, and vision for the future. Balance data with storytelling and maintain authentic voice.

8. Grant Announcement Press Release
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Create press release for major grant announcements
Tags: press-release, announcement, media
Full Prompt Text:
Write a press release announcing [grant amount] to [organization] for [purpose]. Include: compelling headline, lead paragraph with key facts, quotes from leadership and grantee, background information, and impact projections. Follow AP style and include boilerplate.

9. Social Media Content Calendar
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Create social media content showcasing foundation work
Tags: social-media, content, digital
Full Prompt Text:
Create a month of social media content showcasing our work in [focus area]. Include: grantee spotlights, impact statistics, behind-the-scenes content, thought leadership, and calls to action. Vary content types and optimize for each platform (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).

10. Impact Story Development
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Transform data and outcomes into compelling impact stories
Tags: storytelling, impact, narrative
Full Prompt Text:
Transform [program/grant] outcomes into a compelling impact story. Include: human-centered narrative, specific examples, data points woven naturally, quotes from beneficiaries, challenges overcome, and broader implications. Format for [use - website, report, presentation].

11. Foundation Fact Sheet
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Create concise fact sheet about the foundation
Tags: fact-sheet, overview, materials
Full Prompt Text:
Create a one-page fact sheet about our foundation including: mission and vision, focus areas, key statistics (total giving, number of grantees), geographic reach, signature programs, impact highlights, and contact information. Design for multiple uses.

12. Thought Leadership Article
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Develop thought leadership content on key issues
Tags: thought-leadership, article, opinion
Full Prompt Text:
Write a thought leadership article on [topic] from the perspective of [foundation leader]. Include: unique insights from our grantmaking experience, data and evidence, provocative but constructive viewpoint, calls to action for the sector, and connection to broader trends.

13. Website Content Refresh
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Update and optimize foundation website content
Tags: website, content, digital
Full Prompt Text:
Refresh website content for [section/page]. Ensure: clear value proposition, accessible language, SEO optimization, compelling visuals suggestions, clear calls to action, and mobile responsiveness considerations. Include metrics to track engagement.

14. Newsletter Template
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Create engaging newsletter content for stakeholders
Tags: newsletter, email, stakeholders
Full Prompt Text:
Create newsletter content for [quarter/month] including: letter from leadership, grant highlights, grantee spotlight, impact metrics, upcoming opportunities, and resources. Balance different stakeholder interests and maintain engaging tone throughout.
COMPLIANCE & LEGAL
15. Annual Grant Summary
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Summarize grant payments for tax reporting
Tags: 990-PF, tax, filing
Full Prompt Text:
List all grant payments made this tax year. Show grantee names, amounts, dates, and programs. Include totals by program area.

16. Expenditure Responsibility Tracker
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Track and ensure compliance with expenditure responsibility requirements
Tags: expenditure-responsibility, compliance, monitoring
Full Prompt Text:
Review expenditure responsibility requirements for grants to [non-501c3 organizations, international grantees, or fiscal sponsors]. Ensure proper documentation, reporting requirements, and compliance procedures are in place. Create tracking system for ongoing monitoring.

17. Conflict of Interest Review
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Identify and manage potential conflicts of interest
Tags: conflict, ethics, governance
Full Prompt Text:
Review [grant/transaction] for potential conflicts of interest. Check against board member affiliations, staff relationships, and financial interests. Document any conflicts identified and recommend management strategies per our conflict of interest policy.

18. Lobbying Activity Compliance
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Ensure compliance with lobbying restrictions for private foundations
Tags: lobbying, advocacy, compliance
Full Prompt Text:
Review [grant/activity] for potential lobbying issues. Identify any direct or grassroots lobbying, ensure compliance with private foundation restrictions, and document permissible vs prohibited activities. Provide guidance on allowable advocacy activities.

19. International Grantmaking Compliance
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Ensure compliance for international grants
Tags: international, OFAC, equivalency
Full Prompt Text:
Review compliance requirements for international grant to [country/organization]. Check: equivalency determination or expenditure responsibility, OFAC sanctions, anti-terrorism compliance, foreign activities reporting, and tax treaty implications. Create compliance checklist.
DATA ANALYSIS & VISUALIZATION
20. Grant Count by Program
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Count grants and total funding by program area
Tags: count, programs, basic
Full Prompt Text:
How many grants did we make last year? Break down the count and total funding amount by program area. Show me a bar chart if possible.

21. Monthly Grant Trends
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Show grant-making trends over the past 12 months
Tags: trends, monthly, chart
Full Prompt Text:
Create a chart showing our grant-making for the last 12 months. Show both the number of grants and total amounts by month.

22. Top Recipients Analysis
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: List our largest grant recipients
Tags: recipients, ranking, amounts
Full Prompt Text:
Who are our top 10 grant recipients by total funding amount? Show the organization name, total amount received, and number of grants.

23. Average Grant Size
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Calculate average grant sizes by program
Tags: average, size, comparison
Full Prompt Text:
What is our average grant size? Break it down by program area and show how it compares to last year.

24. Geographic Distribution Map
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Show grant distribution by state on a map
Tags: geographic, map, states
Full Prompt Text:
Create a heat map of our grant funding across the United States. Show total funding amounts by state.
DUE DILIGENCE & RISK ASSESSMENT
25. Comprehensive Grantee Assessment
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Conduct thorough due diligence on a potential grantee
Tags: due-diligence, assessment, risk
Full Prompt Text:
Perform comprehensive due diligence on [organization name]. Assess: 1) Financial health (review 990s, audits, revenue diversity), 2) Organizational capacity (leadership, staff, systems), 3) Program effectiveness (past outcomes, evaluation capacity), 4) Risk factors (financial, reputational, operational), 5) Alignment with our mission and values. Provide a recommendation with risk mitigation strategies.

26. Financial Health Analysis
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Analyze the financial stability and sustainability of grantees
Tags: financial, sustainability, 990-analysis
Full Prompt Text:
Analyze the financial health of [grantee organization] using their last 3 years of financial statements. Calculate key ratios (current ratio, months of cash on hand, revenue diversity, functional expense ratios). Identify red flags, trends, and sustainability concerns. Compare to similar organizations.

27. Leadership Transition Risk
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Assess organizational risk during leadership transitions
Tags: leadership, transition, risk
Full Prompt Text:
Evaluate the risk associated with the leadership transition at [organization]. Consider: succession planning, board strength, key person dependencies, organizational culture, stakeholder relationships, and financial implications. Recommend support strategies or risk mitigation measures.

28. Fraud Risk Assessment
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Identify potential fraud risks in grant applications or reports
Tags: fraud, compliance, verification
Full Prompt Text:
Review [grant application/report] for potential fraud indicators. Check for: unrealistic outcomes, budget inconsistencies, documentation gaps, unusual spending patterns, and misaligned narratives. Cross-reference with public records and past submissions. Flag any concerns for further investigation.

29. Partnership Viability Assessment
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Evaluate potential for successful partnership with a grantee
Tags: partnership, collaboration, alignment
Full Prompt Text:
Assess partnership viability with [organization]. Evaluate: mission alignment, complementary strengths, cultural fit, communication styles, shared values, and collaboration history. Identify potential friction points and strategies for successful partnership.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
30. Total Grant Disbursements
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Calculate total grant disbursements by year
Tags: payout, endowment, financial
Full Prompt Text:
What were our total grant disbursements for each of the last 3 years? Show the amount and percentage change year-over-year.

31. Grant Budget Review
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Review and analyze grant budget proposals
Tags: budget, review, costs
Full Prompt Text:
Review the budget for [grant proposal] assessing: cost reasonableness, indirect cost rate, personnel allocations, cost per outcome, and alignment with project scope. Compare to similar grants and sector benchmarks. Identify any concerns or needed clarifications.

32. Administrative Cost Analysis
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Analyze foundation administrative costs and efficiency
Tags: administrative, efficiency, costs
Full Prompt Text:
Analyze our administrative costs including: total operating expenses, cost per grant dollar, staffing costs, professional services, and overhead allocation. Compare to foundation benchmarks by asset size. Identify opportunities for efficiency.

33. Investment Performance Impact
Difficulty: Advanced
Description: Analyze how investment performance affects grantmaking capacity
Tags: investments, sustainability, capacity
Full Prompt Text:
Analyze the impact of investment performance on our grantmaking capacity. Review: investment returns vs benchmarks, spending policy effectiveness, inflation impact, and long-term sustainability. Model different market scenarios and recommend grant budget adjustments.

34. Program Funding Breakdown
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Show funding allocation across programs
Tags: cost-benefit, ROI, analysis
Full Prompt Text:
What percentage of our total funding goes to each program area? Show me a pie chart of the distribution.

35. Grantee Financial Sustainability
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Assess long-term financial sustainability of grantees
Tags: sustainability, grantee, financial-health
Full Prompt Text:
Assess financial sustainability for [grantee organization]. Analyze: revenue diversity, fundraising capacity, reserve levels, business model viability, and dependency on our funding. Project scenarios if our funding ends and recommend sustainability support.
GRANTEE COMMUNICATIONS
36. Grant Award Letter
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Draft professional grant award letters
Tags: award, letter, communication
Full Prompt Text:
Draft a grant award letter to [organization] for [amount] to support [purpose]. Include: grant terms and conditions, reporting requirements, payment schedule, recognition guidelines, and compliance requirements. Strike a celebratory but professional tone.

37. Declination Letter with Feedback
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Write respectful declination letters with constructive feedback
Tags: declination, feedback, communication
Full Prompt Text:
Draft a declination letter for [organization] that applied for [program]. Acknowledge their work, explain the decision (competitiveness, alignment, etc.), provide constructive feedback if appropriate, and suggest other potential funders or reapplication opportunities. Maintain relationship for future.

38. Grantee Check-in Questions
Difficulty: Beginner
Description: Prepare thoughtful questions for grantee check-in meetings
Tags: check-in, meeting, questions
Full Prompt Text:
Generate check-in questions for meeting with [grantee] at [stage - beginning/middle/end] of grant. Include questions about: progress toward goals, challenges faced, lessons learned, capacity needs, sustainability planning, and how we can be helpful beyond funding.

39. Capacity Building Needs Assessment
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Assess grantee capacity building needs
Tags: capacity, assessment, support
Full Prompt Text:
Conduct a capacity building needs assessment for [grantee/cohort]. Evaluate needs in: strategic planning, financial management, evaluation, fundraising, board governance, technology, HR, and communications. Prioritize needs and recommend specific support strategies.

40. Grantee Convening Agenda
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Design agenda for grantee convening or learning event
Tags: convening, learning, agenda
Full Prompt Text:
Design an agenda for a [half-day/full-day] grantee convening on [topic]. Include: learning objectives, mix of presentation and interactive sessions, peer learning opportunities, networking time, and actionable takeaways. Consider virtual, hybrid, or in-person format.

41. Grant Modification Request Review
Difficulty: Intermediate
Description: Evaluate and respond to grant modification requests
Tags: modification, change, request
Full Prompt Text:
Review grant modification request from [grantee] requesting [change type - budget, timeline, scope]. Assess: rationale, impact on outcomes, risk factors, and precedent. Draft response approving/denying with clear explanation and any conditions.
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