#1 most frequent
United States of America
83.1%69 installations of 83
What is Blackbaud Grantmaking?
Blackbaud Grantmaking (formally GIFTS Online) is part of Blackbaud’s extensive portfolio of software, services, data intelligence and expertise that powers social good. Blackbaud Grantmaking delivers grantmaking capabilities configured to meet the user's needs, and to improve efficiency with personalized online grant applications and report forms, personalized user dashboards, and simplified financial processing tools. By providing access to giving data, including standard, advanced, and ad hoc reporting tools, Blackbaud Grantmaking enables users to measure, understand, and improve results. In addition, Blackbaud Grantmaking allows funders to become actively involved in the Foundation Center’s Glasspockets initiative with Grant reporting capabilities, allowing for greater collaboration and more impactful giving. Blackbaud Grantmaking supports organizations whose goal is to provide guidance, transparency, and accountability throughout the grantmaking cycle.
Categories & Use Cases
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Screenshot of Application Inbox
Who Buys & Uses Blackbaud Grantmaking
#2 most frequent
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
9.6%8 installations of 83
#3 most frequent
Canada
4.8%4 installations of 83
Blackbaud Grantmaking for the win!
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
My organization utilizes the Blackbaud Grantmaking for the entire grant application and review process with all of the grant giving for the entire organization. The applications are submitted via the Blackbaud Grantmaking portal, the reviews are submitted via each respective reviewers within the portal, and the grant distributions are also recorded there as well.
Pros
- Ability to customize the grantmaking process to fit the organization
- One stop hub for the grant recipient, to update & submit required information & supporting documentation
- Tracks disbursements and approvals
Cons
- The customization can be tedious and pricey, but the finished product is well worth it.
- The linked functionality between Blackbaud Financial Edge and Blackbaud Grantmaking is limited unless a complete custom built connection is made (also pricey).
- Learning curve is intermediate to advanced.
Return on Investment
- Grantmaking has streamlined the process of grant applications
- Grantmaking has streamlined the database of grant recipients
- Grantmaking has allowed grant employees to access all the data needed in an organized manner
Other Software Used
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Microsoft 365
Blackbaud Grantmaking Review 2018
Pros
- Pulling information from the online application portal into the main database
- Automating requirement and deadline reminders to grantees and relevant reports to specific staff members
- Applications and reporting functions are highly customizable
Cons
- Because it is so complex it is not very intuitive to learn at the beginning - trying to align our workflow with the modules was challenging at first because we didn't have a full understanding of the capabilities of the software.
- When these is functionality we need which is not obvious, usually support can figure it out, but sometimes they say "no, but that is a great idea, post it to the community as a suggestion". If it is a great idea, why can they not just pass it along internally or post it? Taking the time to post to the community and / or search to see if my needs are already posted to the community so I can up-vote is not a good use of my time. Often I can't find the time to do it. I do appreciate that they are responsive and do make suggested changes, but this process is time consuming (reading through numerous posts) and unwieldy.
- Support people are very good, but would like to have access to them until 6 pm pacific time.
- The cost is prohibitive. We were hoping that the move from paper and multiple platforms into one online platform would lessen the time spent on admin (helping to offset the cost), but implementation has taken us longer than anticipated (we are a small org. with no dedicated IT staff). Some tasks are definitely more streamlined, and we definitely have a better overall handle on data management, tracking grant finances, deadlines and reporting, but sometimes it seems like some admin work has just been replaced with different work, such as: database management and providing support for the applicants / grantees. I think this may improve somewhat over time, but each year there will always be a certain amount of program changes to implement / program and new applicants to walk through the online portal submission process (including requirements and reporting) so time spent on this work will remain.
Return on Investment
- Better data collection / security
- Better access to relevant information through collection and reporting processes.
- Better overall accountability.
Alternatives Considered
SmartSimple GMS360
Other Software Used
Sage 50 Accounting, Microsoft Access
Blackbaud Grantmaking is a comprehensive grants processing tool I would recommend to any nonprofit accountable for more than 100 grants annually.
Pros
- Easy to export data into multiple applications for various reports and requests.
- Mobile app for access to records in the field.
- The help desk is responsive.
Cons
- Would like to be able to print letters, envelopes, giving histories directly from the organization's record versus switching to reports, queries or creating a template...too many steps.
- History of giving prints from first to last and this cannot be changed. I have to export to Excel and re-sort by most recent date.
Return on Investment
- N/A
Other Software Used
QuickBooks Online
Blackbaud Grantmaking has made my life pure HEAVEN! :-)
Blackbaud Grantmaking Review
Pros
- Grant application information
- Grant review and approval process
- Grant monitoring
- Grant payments
- Track outcomes
- Document manager
- Contact management
Cons
- Document manager needs folder structure
- You must check out a document to update and then re-post the document to the document manager when completed. Often you mail merge a document using Blackbaud Grantmaking, but to tweak it you need to save it elsewhere and the upload to the document manager.
- There is no notification given if 2 users are updating the same record except when the 2nd user tries to save their work.
- Portal for grant seekers could be more user friendly.
- Connecting the Blackbaud Grantmaking email to Outlook would help. Blackbaud has made improvements in this area. If I send an email from Blackbaud Grantmaking it does not show up in my Outlook sent messages.
Return on Investment
- ROI has been positive, the cost has been offset by less staff time needed during the review process as well as better documentation and reporting options.
- Our process flow has improved with the dashboards. As one staff member finishes an activity the dashboard provides a vehicle to move it to the next staff person.
Alternatives Considered
Gifts Classic
Other Software Used
QuickBooks Pro, Microsoft Office 2016, Adobe Acrobat DC
