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Explain to a new board member why a big grant can't pay rent
Practice: Saying who it's for. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
A new board member asked why a $40,000 grant can't cover the rent shortfall. Answer in under 80 words with no nonprofit-finance jargon (no 'restricted', 'unrestricted', 'designated', 'fund accounting' or 'net assets'). Use the actual grant as the example, give the real shortfall amount, and end with the specific way the board can help. Write a prompt that gets that answer.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 80 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "4 sentences, each under 18 words."
- Explaining with jargon. AI says "restricted versus unrestricted funds", which is exactly what Paul doesn't know. Try: Ban them: "No 'restricted', 'unrestricted', 'designated' or 'fund accounting'."
- Using the first estimate. Your notes list $12,000 before the update. The AI may use it. Try: Add: "The current shortfall is $7,500."
- No clear ask. The AI ends with "Happy to discuss!" instead of what the board can do. Try: Add: "End by asking each member to ask 3 people before Dec 9."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets a word limit
- Bans jargon
- Uses the real grant
- Uses the current number
- Ends with the ask
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