Your GMS, Your Hub: How Smart Integrations Streamline Grantmaking

Grantmaking organizations are constantly looking for ways to increase administrative efficiency so that they can focus more on what matters — their mission. In service of greater efficiency, many organizations are leveraging integrations that incorporate all of their grantmaking data and tools into their GMS. Through third party integrations, grantmakers can continue to leverage the power of specialized tools — like document management, data visualization, and digital signature — without switching between multiple platforms throughout the course of their work.

In short, a GMS should serve as your organization's operating system, connecting your team to the tools they rely on every day in a single place.

First, let’s talk APIs vs. Integrations

GivingData integrates with almost every tool that foundations know and love, but also has an open API for more complex needs. APIs and integrations both help disparate systems work together, but they serve different needs. An API is like a toolkit that allows developers to build custom connections between software, while an integration is a ready-made connection that works out of the box. 

For example, if your foundation uses a tool that GivingData integrates with, a seamless connection can be established with minimal effort. But if your foundation uses a tool that we don’t have an existing integration for, our Open API allows you to build a custom solution. GivingData can integrate with a wide variety of systems beyond what is mentioned in this blog, so the integration route should work in most cases. Not sure which is right for you? Contact our team—we’re happy to help!

7 Essential Integrations your Grant Management System Should Support

Integrations are not just a convenience; they’re a necessity for any organization aiming to streamline its grantmaking processes and provide a seamless experience to grantees. Here are 7 third-party integrations that every grants management system (GMS) should support. 

Document Management and Storage

Integrating tools like Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Box, or OneDrive into a GMS ensures that all documents are easily accessible and shareable. These tools facilitate seamless collaboration and ensure information is accessible to team members when they need it. In GivingData, grantmakers can seamlessly link to documents from these file storage services (as well as others) to keep all documents in one place. 

Digital Signatures

The grantmaking approval process often involves multiple stakeholders and layers of approval. Integrations with digital signature tools, such as DocuSign and Adobe Sign, streamline this process by allowing documents to be signed and managed electronically. An integration enables everything to happen within the GMS — the place where most of the grantmaking process is already handled — saving time for both foundation staff and grantees. 

Data Management

Access to accurate and comprehensive data is essential for informed decision-making. Tools like LexisNexis provide robust data solutions for conducting thorough due diligence. Integrating with a tool like LexisNexis’ Bridger Insights can bring further operational consistency and consolidate compliance processes. 

GivingData’s integration with Demographics via Candid allows funders to gain insight into an organization's demographic data through Candid to measure progress toward grantmaking goals. It also simplifies the application process for grantees, allowing them to simply provide their demographic data once.

Communication

Effective communication is key to effective grantmaking and positive grantee interactions. Integrating email tools such as Gmail, Microsoft 365, and Outlook into a GMS ensures that all communication related to grant activities is centralized. This makes it easier to track the history of a grantee relationship and mitigates the disruptive impact of staff turnover by keeping conversations accessible in one location.

Security and Authentication

Authentication and single sign-on (SSO) tools provide robust security measures throughout the grant lifecycle. Integrations with Okta, OneLogin, and Microsoft Active Directory ensure that user access is managed securely and efficiently, protecting sensitive information and simplifying the login process.

Billing and Finance

Managing financial transactions and workflows can be complex, but integrations with financial tools like Bill automate accounts payable processes, helping organizations manage their finances more efficiently. GivingData’s integration with finance tools like Bill, Sage, and more provide foundation finance teams with real-time visibility into the status of payments to grantees, allow them to verify charitable status, and perform other time-intensive batch processes. 

Data Visualization

Transforming data into actionable insights is crucial for strategic decision-making. Integrations with data visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau enable organizations to create compelling data visualizations and dashboards. These tools provide a clear and comprehensive view of grantmaking activities, helping organizations analyze trends, measure impact, and make informed decisions. 

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation uses GivingData’s integration with Power BI to identify bottlenecks and flag delays in the grants lifecycle. That data, combined with GivingData’s workflows, allows the team to improve grant turnaround times. 

CRM

Maintaining strong relationships with grantees and partners is essential for effective grantmaking. Integrating customer relationship management (CRM) tools like Salesforce and HubSpot into a GMS ensures that all data related to grantees and funding partners is centralized. These tools allow grantmakers to streamline communication and enhance collaboration with grantees. While GivingData has built-in CRM capabilities like Grantee360 and Interactions reports, foundations with existing data in CRM platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce can centralize that information by integrating with GivingData. 

How can integrations supercharge your grantmaking?

At GivingData, we recognize the critical role of integrations and offer a wide range of third-party connections, as well as an open API. These integrations empower grantmakers to operate more efficiently and make data-driven decisions, ultimately maximizing their philanthropic impact. 

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Don’t see a system you use mentioned here? It’s still likely that we can integrate with it. To learn more about the integrations available in GivingData, contact our team today.