Unlocking Grant Funding with AI: A Guest Post from Dr. Anthony J. Fitzpatrick
Securing grant funding for school libraries is more important than ever, but the process can be daunting. From researching funding opportunities to drafting compelling proposals, grant writing takes time, strategy, and persistence. Fortunately, AI is transforming the way educators and librarians approach funding—and no one understands this better than my friend, Dr. Anthony J. Fitzpatrick.
In this special guest post, Dr. Fitzpatrick shares insights from his new book, AI-Powered Grant Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Securing More Funding with Artificial Intelligence. Having successfully secured over three million dollars in competitive grants in just one year, he provides practical strategies on how AI can streamline the process and level the playing field for school libraries. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to improve their grant-writing success.
As a special bonus, subscription members will receive a complimentary AI-Powered Grant Writing Strategy Workbook—a hands-on resource packed with AI-driven search exercises, proposal templates, and funding workflow guides tailored for school librarians.
Let’s dive in and explore how AI can help you secure the funding your library needs!Securing grant funding for school libraries is more important than ever. Whether you're looking to expand your digital collection, integrate AI into research instruction, create a makerspace, or fund literacy initiatives, competitive grants can provide the resources needed to transform your library. However, grant writing is time-intensive, and the process of researching funders, drafting proposals, and ensuring compliance can be overwhelming.
In AI-Powered Grant Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Securing More Funding with Artificial Intelligence, Anthony J. Fitzpatrick, Ed.D. shares how AI simplifies and strengthens grant writing—helping librarians and educators find the right funding, draft compelling proposals, and improve success rates. Having secured over three million dollars in competitive grant funding in a single year, Dr. Fitzpatrick outlines practical strategies for using AI to streamline workflows and secure essential funding. Working without dedicated grant writers is difficult. Smaller organizations simply do not have the resources to compete. Allow AI to level the playing field and open access to funding for the smaller organizations, schools, and LIBRARIES that need it!
How Librarians Can Use AI to Secure More Grants
Find the Best Grants Faster – AI-driven grant databases like Grants.gov and Instrumentl help librarians locate federal, state, and private grants specific to education, technology, and literacy. Try this AI prompt:"Find five grant opportunities that fund school library technology and digital literacy programs."
Generate High-Quality Proposals Quickly – AI tools like ChatGPT and Jasper AI can assist with writing grant narratives, needs statements, and impact descriptions tailored to funders. Try this AI prompt:"Draft a compelling needs statement for a grant proposal to expand digital learning resources in a K-12 library."
Ensure Clarity and Readability – Editing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor improve readability, ensuring proposals are clear, concise, and professional. Try this AI prompt:"Simplify this grant proposal section while maintaining a persuasive tone."
Structure Budgets and Justifications – AI-powered spreadsheets, including Microsoft Excel AI and QuickBooks AI, help create transparent, well-structured grant budgets. Try this AI prompt:"Generate a budget justification for a $50,000 library renovation grant, including technology and training costs."
Track Deadlines and Manage Submissions – Tools like Notion AI and Trello AI allow librarians to track application deadlines, manage revisions, and collaborate on grant writing projects. Try this AI prompt:"Create a grant submission tracker to monitor deadlines, requirements, and review progress."
Strengthen Fundraising and Grant Partnerships – AI can analyze funder priorities and recommend best-fit funding sources, helping school librarians connect with foundations, corporate sponsors, and local businesses that support educational initiatives. Try this AI prompt:"Identify three corporate or community foundations that provide funding for school library innovation programs."
Strategy Workbook for Subscribers
To complement the book, a complimentary AI-Powered Grant Writing Strategy Workbook is available exclusively to subscribers. This hands-on resource includes AI-powered grant search exercises, customizable proposal templates, and funding workflow guides tailored for school librarians and educators.
Why This Matters for School Libraries
With increasing demand for AI literacy, digital citizenship programs, and innovative learning spaces, securing funding is critical. AI can help school librarians write stronger, more persuasive proposals with less effort—allowing them to focus on delivering transformative programs for students and educators. AI is not replacing grant writers—it is empowering them to work smarter and secure more funding. Whether you're applying for state, federal, or private grants, AI can streamline the process, improve proposal quality, and maximize success rates.
The future of grant writing is here—are you ready to take advantage of it?
