Introducing Grantwell: Using AI for Municipal Technical Assistance

In this session, Quentin Palfrey, Director of the Office of Federal Funds for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will introduce Grantwell, an AI-enabled grant-writing assistance tool developed by the Massachusetts Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office in partnership with the Northeastern Burnes Center for Social Change. He will explain why the tool was created, how it works, and where it fits into real municipal workflows. Participants will explore how AI can support (not replace) core grant-writing tasks, such as researching funding opportunities, structuring proposals, and strengthening clarity, while maintaining accuracy, transparency, and public accountability.

This workshop is designed for municipal and local government professionals looking for practical, responsible ways to use AI to move grant applications forward and improve outcomes for their communities.