{"id":"ind-np-grant-rfp-cheat-sheet","audience":"nonprofit","category":"summarizing","technique":"format","title":"Boil a foundation's grant RFP down to four lines","free":false,"task":"Your executive director wants to know in 30 seconds whether to apply for a grant. Write exactly 4 lines labeled \"Deadline:\", \"Amount:\", \"Eligible if:\" and \"Won't fund:\", in that order, each under 15 words, plain text, with no bullets and nothing else. Use the extended deadline, and don't say whether you should apply. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.","materialLabel":"The RFP and an email update (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - The Linden Grove Foundation (fictional)\n2027 Community Literacy Grants\n\nAbout: Linden Grove supports nonprofits that help adults and teens build reading and writing ability in Marion, Lake and Bell counties.\n\nAwards: $15,000 to $40,000 for one year. About 8 grants will be made.\n\nEligibility:\n- 501(c)(3) organizations based in Marion, Lake or Bell county\n- Annual budget under $2 million\n- Programs must serve learners age 14 and up\n\nWe do not fund: capital projects or buildings, religious instruction, events or galas, or programs for children under 14.\n\nTimeline: Letters of inquiry due Dec 1, 2026 at 5 PM. Full proposals by invitation only, due Feb 15. Decisions in April.\n\nContact: grants@lindengrove.example\n\n---\nEMAIL UPDATE (Nov 4) from Linden Grove: \"Because of the holiday, the letter of inquiry deadline is extended to Dec 8, 2026 at 5 PM.\"\n\n---\nOur notes: our budget is $1.3M, we're in Lake County, our ESL program serves adults 18+. Board meets Nov 20.","rules":[{"type":"maxWords","max":70},{"type":"plainText"},{"type":"maxBullets","max":0}],"mistakes":[{"title":"No fixed shape","why":"The AI writes a summary with headings and bullets for every section.","fix":"Be exact: \"Exactly 4 lines: Deadline:, Amount:, Eligible if:, Won't fund:. No bullets.\"","checks":["r0","maxBullets","plainText"]},{"title":"Trusting the AI to count words","why":"AI is bad at counting. Ask for \"under 70 words\" and it often lands well over.","fix":"Cap each part instead: \"each line under 15 words.\"","checks":["maxWords"]},{"title":"Using the original deadline","why":"Dec 1 is in the RFP; the extension is in a later email.","fix":"Add: \"Use the extended deadline from the Nov 4 email.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Deciding for the director","why":"The AI adds \"You're a great fit, apply!\" based on your notes.","fix":"Add: \"No recommendation; just the facts.\"","checks":["r2"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Shows the 4 labels","patterns":["deadline:","amount:","eligible if:","won'?t fund:"]},{"label":"Uses the extension","patterns":["extend","dec(ember)? 8","nov(ember)? 4","update"]},{"label":"Rules out a verdict","patterns":["no recommend","don'?t (say|recommend|tell)","whether to apply","just the facts"]},{"label":"Caps each line","patterns":["under \\d+ words","each.{0,20}words"]},{"label":"Asks for plain text","patterns":["plain","no bold","no markdown","no formatting","no headings"]}],"hint":"A busy director needs four facts, not a summary. Give the AI the exact labels, point it to the update, and keep its opinion out.","rubricLabels":["Has exactly 4 lines in order, starting with 'Deadline:', 'Amount:', 'Eligible if:' and 'Won't fund:', with no bullets, intro or closing","Deadline gives the extended letter of inquiry date, Dec 8, 2026 at 5 PM (never Dec 1), and Amount gives $15,000 to $40,000 for one year","Eligible if covers 501(c)(3) in Marion, Lake or Bell county, budget under $2 million and learners 14+, Won't fund lists capital/buildings, religious instruction, events or galas, and under-14 programs, and there's no apply/don't-apply verdict"]}