The Rise of AI in UK Grantmaking

AI adoption is growing across UK funders as teams seek faster reviews, clearer reporting and stronger assurance.

• Early pilots show significant time savings on due diligence and feedback.
• Concerns about bias are addressed with human‑in‑the‑loop controls.
• Platforms like Plinth are purpose‑built for UK needs.

What UK funders are trying

Pragmatic pilots focus on narrow, high‑value tasks.

• Eligibility triage and summarisation of long answers.
• Document checks and register lookups.
• Drafting board papers and applicant feedback.

Key takeaway: start small, measure impact, then scale.

Lessons learned so far

Policy and process matter as much as tooling.

• Clear guidance to reviewers on prompts and edits.
• Proportionate DPIAs and privacy notices.
• Training and reassurance for staff and trustees.

Key takeaway: adoption accelerates when governance is clear.

What’s next

Expect deeper integration with finance and monitoring, and sector standards for data and outcomes.

• Shared outcome libraries to reduce burden on grantees.
• Portable review notes for multi‑funder collaborations.
• Stronger dashboards for public accountability.

Key takeaway: AI will feel less like a feature and more like the default workflow.

FAQs

Is AI only for large foundations?

No. Small teams often benefit most because admin time is tight.

Are regulators supportive?

Yes when controls are robust and decisions remain human‑led.

How long do pilots take?

Weeks, using Plinth templates and a single programme.