TNB Roundtable: Grant Management Software Options for Funders

February 10, 2016

About… •Founded in 1916•One of the oldest and largest community foundations•Largest funders of nonprofits in the state of Rhode Island•State’s only community foundation•$41.5 million in grants to over 1,400 nonprofits•Raised $43 million in 2015•At the end of 2015, total assets stood at more than $790 million.

About… Kathleen Malin is responsible for all aspects of technology, operations, and facilities at the Rhode Island Foundation. Her department manages all grants processing for the Foundation.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2006, Kathleen worked as a network administrator and technology director at public and private schools in Rhode Island and New York and has taught technology for over 20 years.

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The Grant Process• Consider cost and convenience• Do you need software? Can you use Excel or Google Docs?• Wide range of software options for small and medium organizations • Some processes including international grants require increased security• Look for a system that give you transparency, automated workflows, and easy internal

tracking

Applications

Review

Granting

Outcomes

What we do

IGAM Application

IGAM fields link to our database

Grants Management Requirements

Grant processing

● How many applications, grants, and requirements like attaching videos

● Ease of use for staff, applicants, and reviewers,

● Integration with your other software platforms like CRMs

● Mobile friendly● Cost vs. convenience● Cloud vs. installed software● Security● Branding● Email confirmations, letter creation tools● Is budgeting needed?● Support for your 990s● Grantee interim and final reports● Do you need a qualifying round?● Tracking grants by business units

Things to consider

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Go it alone or get help?

The benefits of hiring consultants:

You get expertise

Project management

Fresh look at the work

Extra hands

A great starting point

Online and Installed options

https://fluidreview.com/bb/grant-management-software/?semsrc=bingads.grntmgmt.beta

Customizing a product

Slide courtesy of MicroEdge

GIFTS Analytics & customized dashboard

Slide images courtesy of MicroEdge

Salesforce for Grant Management

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Customize yourself or use an app? The benefits of creating your own product:

You have full control

It’s easier to change platforms

Can be less expensive and have more functionality

Less need for in-house expertise

The benefits of using an app:

Creating your own process

Videos are available for all options

Salesforce App Exchange

https://appexchange.salesforce.com/listingDetail?listingId=a0N30000003J0WbEAK

https://appexchange.salesforce.com/listingDetail?listingId=a0N3000000B3CfPEAV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYx-56D5Fn8

Making the process easier

It’s about project management• Develop clear objective and measures of progress• Map activities necessary to achieve objectives• Identify the resources needed• Define responsibilities• Evaluate progress against objectives• Learn from evaluation• Communicate and provide evidence of achievements

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Keep your improvements…

…and your money

Customization costs money, prioritize your wish list, know who does what with your data

Frequently look at all data fields to ensure consistency

Create an online users guide

Make sure to include the cost of training, and updating

Resources

http://idealware.org/

http://www.tagtech.org/

Kathleen MalinVP Technology & Operations Management

Thanks for attending!