What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have a Claude Project that "knows" your organization — your mission, programs, key data, past proposals, and organizational voice. Instead of starting from scratch every time you open Claude, every conversation will begin with full organizational context, cutting your proposal drafting time in half.
What you'll need
- Claude Pro subscription ($20/month — or check if your org qualifies for Claude for Nonprofits, Anthropic's discounted access program)
- Your organization's key documents in digital form (see list in Step 2)
- Time needed: 45–60 minutes for initial setup; ongoing as you add documents
- Cost: $20/month (Claude Pro) or discounted via Claude for Nonprofits
How-To Guide: Build Your Organizational Knowledge Base in Claude
Step 1: Subscribe to Claude Pro and access Projects
Go to claude.ai and sign in or create an account. Click Upgrade and select Claude Pro ($20/month). Once subscribed, look for Projects in the left sidebar.
- Click Projects in the left sidebar
- Click New Project
- Name it something clear: "[Your Org Name] Grant Writing"
What you should see: A project page with a document icon where you can add files, and a text area for "Project Instructions."
Troubleshooting: If you don't see Projects, make sure you're on Claude Pro (not the free plan). Free accounts don't have Projects access.