Good Grants, a global leader in grant management software, has launched a new suite of secure, privacy-first artificial intelligence tools designed specifically for the grantmaking sector. The tools aim to help grantmakers work more efficiently, fairly and at scale without compromising data protection or confidentiality.
Unlike many technology providers that rely on third-party processing, Good Grants' AI tools operate entirely within the company's own secure virtual private cloud. This ensures that all grantmaking data remains private, fully compliant and never leaves the Good Grants environment. "Security, privacy and governance are built into every layer of our system," said Richard de Nys, Managing Director of Good Grants. "We wanted to give grantmakers confidence that they can use AI responsibly, knowing their data remains protected at all times."
The AI capabilities are completely optional and opt-in, allowing organizations to maintain total control over what data is accessible to AI, who can configure its use and who can view its outputs. Users can also choose the large language model they trust, including options such as Claude Sonnet, GPT OSS, and Qwen3, depending on their location and preferences.
The first feature in the new suite, called AI fields, enables grant managers and program administrators to ask natural-language questions and instantly generate insights directly within the Good Grants platform. This could include summarizing applications, generating feedback for grantees, or performing complex queries such as calculating allocations or identifying outstanding reports. "AI fields are designed to make grantmaking easier and smarter," de Nys explained. "You can analyze, summarize or extract insights from application data in seconds, all within your existing workflows."
This development is significant because it addresses critical concerns about data privacy and security in the grantmaking sector, where sensitive information about organizations, projects, and funding must be protected. The grantmaking industry has been cautious about adopting AI due to compliance requirements and ethical considerations around data handling. Good Grants' approach provides a model for how AI can be integrated responsibly into sectors with strict privacy requirements.
The potential impact extends beyond operational efficiency to potentially transforming how grant decisions are made. By enabling faster analysis of applications and more consistent feedback generation, these tools could help reduce administrative burdens on both grantmakers and applicants. This could allow organizations to process more applications, identify promising projects more effectively, and allocate resources where they can create the most impact.
Good Grants emphasizes that its AI tools are not about chasing trends but about building a sustainable and responsible AI framework that grows with the evolving needs of the grantmaking community. "We've always prioritized substance over novelty," said de Nys. "Our AI roadmap reflects that. Every future feature will be developed with the same focus on fairness, safety and real-world usefulness." The introduction of AI fields marks the beginning of an expanding family of intelligent, compliant tools designed to enhance decision-making, streamline operations and promote equitable grantmaking.
The company's approach represents a significant development in how specialized industries can adopt AI technology while maintaining strict data protection standards. As organizations worldwide increasingly seek to leverage AI capabilities, the grantmaking sector now has a model for implementation that prioritizes both innovation and responsibility. This balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations will likely influence how other regulated sectors approach AI adoption in the coming years.
