Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how charities find funding, write bids, and connect with supporters – it can save time and increase efficiency, but also carries risks such as data security, ethics and authenticity.

In this practical 2 hour workshop, participants will explore how to use large language models (LLM) to enhance their bid writing. It will discuss practical prompt-writing skills; consider the safe and ethical use of AI; and how to integrate AI into your fundraising process responsibly.

This session will help you to:

• Understand the range of AI support tools available (and how to select those best suited to your organisation’s needs).
• Understand the challenges and opportunities when using AI tools in fundraising and bid writing, e.g. efficiency, focus, safety and trust.
• Understand practical prompt-writing techniques that can be used to generate, refine, and evaluate funding applications effectively.

Who Should Attend:

This session is suitable for community groups, charities or social enterprises seeking to improve their fundraising capacity and based in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The session is aimed towards:

• People who are already confidently using AI
• Anyone involved in funding applications, communications, or data analysis
• Trustees or managers wanting to better understand the opportunities and risks of using AI in their organisation
• Anyone curious about the UK voluntary sector trends in AI fundraising

Places are restricted to a maximum of 2 per organisation.

Trainer's biography: Claudia Demuth

As an experienced coach and trainer, Claudia Demuth helps not-for-profits to set up, effectively deliver, and carefully reflect on income generation, business planning and leadership / governance approaches.

A long-standing associate for Richmond CVS, Claudia also undertakes consultancy for the Law Centres Network, Lloyds Bank Foundation, and other CVS's. Previous, similar work includes the School for Social Entrepreneurs, London Community Foundation, Homeless Link, and more.

Clients really value Claudia’s ability to quickly identify organisational stumbling blocks and ask hard questions which help challenge long-held assumptions whilst bringing humour and patience to any developmental process. Using expert coaching, creativity, action learning techniques and much interaction, her focus is to encourage third sector leaders and managers to keep going in their demanding roles.

Cost:

Richmond VCS groups with income below £50k: Free

Richmond VCS groups with income between £50k-£250k: £10 (plus booking fee)

Richmond VCS groups with income above £250k: £15 (plus booking fee)

Wandsworth and Kingston VCS groups: £20 (plus booking fee)

VCS organisations outside of Richmond, Wandsworth and Kingston: £30 (plus booking fee)

Additional information:

If booking for this session has closed, the correct ticket type is not available or you have another training-related query, please contact Richmond CVS on 020 8843 7945 or training@richmondcvs.org.uk.