Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in applications and reporting
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has developed rapidly, and its use has become widespread over recent years. At The London Community Foundation, we believe it’s important to share our response to using AI in grant applications and reports.
We understand that AI can be used in a variety of ways, such as for research or as a writing tool. We also know that AI and other software can help people to communicate their own thoughts and ideas, particularly for those for whom English is an additional language or those who face barriers to making written applications.
However, we advise you to be cautious when considering using AI to generate answers to questions in grant applications and reports.
What’s important to us as a funder is that application and report questions are answered clearly and accurately, with an honest account of what you will do or have done. We’re not expecting perfect language, grammar, and style – we just need to be able to understand your answers.
If using AI generated answers, make sure the final submission includes sufficient depth, relevant local context, and avoids inappropriate use of jargon.
As with any software, the use of generative AI is your own responsibility. Ultimately, the content included in your application or report, and the proposed or delivered activity, must be owned by you as the applicant doing the work.
As AI programmes and tools continue to be developed, we will continually review our AI stance and assessment processes, to ensure we’re as fair and inclusive as possible.
We have recently established an AI working group, and LCF staff are beginning to trial AI tools to streamline internal processes, such as AI-powered notetaking. However, AI tools are not currently influencing any grant decision-making, and we will inform our stakeholders should this position change.
We do not currently have formal AI guidelines, as we are still in the exploratory phase. This is being regularly reviewed, and we intend to develop this once we have clarified our stance and preferred approaches to the use of AI.
Updated: October 2025