Doing more with less: how one grant consultant tripled her capacity using the Funding Centre

For Claire*, a Brisbane-based grant consultant who supports not-for-profits, capacity has always been the limiting factor. Like many in the sector, she balances multiple deadlines, tight budgets, and high expectations. But over the past year, something has changed.

“Drafter has cut down my grant writing time to about a third of what it was, saving me over 60 per cent of my work time,” Claire says.

With the help of the Funding Centre’s AI grant application drafting tool, Claire can complete what used to be two and a half days’ worth of focused writing within her eight-hour work week, without compromising quality. At the time of writing, Claire had six grants on the go, all due within weeks, and “that wouldn’t have been possible before,” she says.

Previously, time constraints meant Claire needed to be selective, sometimes deciding not to pursue opportunities simply because there weren’t enough hours in the week. Now, she can say yes to more projects and help more organisations find funding. “Drafter is perfect for small, new and growing organisations,” she says.

Claire believes the impact of Drafter on organisations will be significant, particularly for those with under $1 million in turnover. With limited staff and no in-house grant teams, many of these organisations rely on consultants like Claire to compete for funding. Increasing her efficiency directly increases their opportunities and reduces their expenses.

From drafting to designing programs

The benefits of Drafter extend beyond writing faster. Claire has used Drafter for:

• designing programs based on funder guidelines
• structuring grant applications strategically
• developing budgets
• refining language and increasing clarity.

“You just need good data to put in,” she says.

She says the AI tool doesn’t replace her expertise but amplifies it. Having a compelling case for funding still matters. Having clear aims still matters. But with strong foundations in place, the drafting process itself is almost effortless. “It helps me focus on the thinking, not just the typing,” Claire says.

A learning curve, and getting the hang of It

Claire experienced one early hiccup with learning to use the system. “There was a moment when I realised I needed to better understand how changes in one place could affect the overall draft,” she says. It was a reminder that AI tools still require human oversight and thoughtful use. Once Claire understood the workflow, the time savings became consistent and reliable.

Confidence, not complexity

Claire had originally considered enrolling in an AI course to better understand how to use emerging AI tools in her work, but when Drafter launched, she thought, “This is perfect.” After attending a Drafter webinar presented by the Funding Centre, she logged straight in and applied what she’d learned.

Sharing what works

Claire has always been a connector and knowledge-sharer within her networks, and she talks openly with colleagues about what she’s learning – it’s about lifting capability across the sector.

“If we can share what works, everyone benefits,” she says.

Tools like Drafter democratise expertise, helping all organisations compete more confidently for funding. When consultants and small teams can increase their capacity, more quality applications can be submitted. And when that happens, more community programs have the chance to be funded and delivered.

A practical tool for a stretched sector

The not-for-profit sector is under constant pressure to do more with less. Technology can sometimes feel overwhelming or disconnected from real community work. It can be expensive, too. Claire’s experience shows something different.

Used thoughtfully, AI can:

• reduce administrative burden
• expand grant capacity
• support stronger program design
• free up time for strategy and relationships.

For the organisations Claire supports, that translates into something simple but powerful: more chances to secure funding, more programs delivered, and more impact in the community.

*Claire’s name and location have been changed to protect her privacy.

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