Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries across the globe, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. One of the most intriguing and controversial developments is the use of AI to assist in writing grant proposals. As organizations increasingly turn to AI tools to streamline and enhance their grant applications, it is essential to consider the implications of this trend, particularly through the lens of cognitive justice—a concept deeply explored in Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ work Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide.
AI and the Nonprofit Sector: Opportunities and Challenges
For many nonprofit organizations, securing funding through grants is vital to their operations and sustainability. However, the grant-writing process is often time-consuming, complex, and resource-intensive. AI tools, such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, offer the promise of automating much of this process. These tools can analyze vast amounts of data, identify funding opportunities, and even draft compelling narratives that align with the funder’s priorities.
The potential benefits are clear: AI can save time, reduce costs, and increase the chances of securing funding by crafting well-targeted proposals. For nonprofits with limited resources, particularly those in marginalized communities, AI can level the playing field by providing access to sophisticated tools previously available only to larger, better-funded organizations.
However, as with any technological advancement, the use of AI in grant writing is not without its challenges. One of the most pressing concerns is the issue of cognitive justice, particularly when viewed through the framework of Santos’ Epistemologies of the South.
Cognitive Justice and the Risk of Epistemicide
Cognitive justice refers to the recognition and validation of diverse forms of knowledge and ways of knowing. In his work, Santos argues against epistemicide—the systematic destruction or marginalization of non-Western forms of knowledge. He contends that the dominance of Western epistemology has led to the suppression of other knowledge systems, particularly those of the Global South, resulting in significant injustice.
When applying cognitive justice to the context of AI in grant writing, it is essential to consider how AI systems—often developed in Western contexts—might inherently privilege certain types of knowledge while marginalizing others.Cognitive justice emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse ways of knowing, which are often rooted in different cultural, historical, and social contexts. However, AI systems, particularly those used in grant writing, are typically trained on datasets that reflect Western-centric perspectives, norms, and values.
For instance, the language used in successful Western grant proposals may follow a format that is clear, concise, data-driven, and linear. This format is often considered the “gold standard” for effective communication in professional and academic settings in the West. As a result, when AI tools are employed to generate or evaluate grant proposals, they may favor those that conform to these Western standards, simply because they fit the patterns the AI has learned to recognize as successful.
This is problematic because it can marginalize or exclude other ways of communicating needs, values, and goals that do not align with these norms but are nonetheless valid and deeply rooted in different cultural contexts. Non-Western epistemologies often involve different ways of knowing and expressing knowledge that do not fit into Western norms. For example, many Indigenous cultures emphasize oral traditions, storytelling, community-based knowledge, and holistic approaches that integrate spiritual, environmental, and social dimensions.
When AI systems encounter grant proposals rooted in these non-Western epistemologies, they might fail to recognize their value, misinterpreting them as less structured, less data-driven, or even less credible. This can lead to the devaluation of these proposals, not because they lack substance or importance, but because they do not conform to the AI’s learned patterns.
This process of privileging one set of knowledge systems over others can contribute to epistemicide, where dominant Western knowledge systems overshadow the rich and diverse epistemologies of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. The implications are profound: if grant proposals rooted in non-Western epistemologies are consistently overlooked or undervalued by AI systems, the organizations behind these proposals may struggle to secure funding, further entrenching the dominance of Western knowledge systems and exacerbating inequalities.
The Ethical Imperative for Nonprofits
Given these concerns, nonprofit organizations must approach the use of AI in grant writing with caution and a strong ethical framework. It is crucial to ensure that AI tools are used in a way that respects and uplifts diverse epistemologies rather than erasing them.
One approach is to advocate for the development and use of AI systems that are inclusive and reflective of multiple knowledge systems. This could involve training AI on datasets that include a wide range of cultural expressions and narrative styles or developing AI tools in collaboration with communities from the Global South to ensure their knowledge and perspectives are integrated into the algorithms.
Moreover, nonprofits should critically assess the outputs of AI tools, ensuring that the narratives generated do not inadvertently reinforce stereotypes or exclude important aspects of their community’s identity and experience. Engaging with funders to educate them about the importance of cognitive justice and the value of diverse epistemologies is also crucial in fostering a more equitable funding landscape.
Conclusion
The use of AI in nonprofit grant writing presents both significant opportunities and profound ethical challenges. While AI can help democratize access to resources and streamline the grant-writing process, it also poses the risk of perpetuating epistemicide by marginalizing non-Western knowledge systems.
Nonprofits must navigate this complex landscape with a commitment to cognitive justice, ensuring that the tools they use and the narratives they craft are inclusive, representative, and empowering. By doing so, they can harness the power of AI while upholding the diverse epistemologies essential to a just and equitable world.
Schedule a 30-minute Discovery Call to learn more about our tailored services.
Subscribe to receive monthly fund development advice in your inbox!
