Community foundations have always been quietly vital. For more than a century, they have served as anchors of local philanthropy, channeling donor generosity toward community need, and stepping in when their communities need them most. But the sector is at an inflection point. Public funding is tightening, leaving foundations to step up to fill the gap. Donor expectations are shifting as wealth transfers to a Read More
In recent years, American generosity surged with charitable giving hitting a record $592.5 billion in 2024.1 Across the Atlantic, European philanthropic foundations have undergone their own expansion — growing from roughly 130,000 to 175,000 over the last decade, and now distributing an estimated €76 billion annually.2 Yet behind both trends lie pressing questions about where Read More
Grantseeking organizations receive over $1 trillion in government funding annually. These funds are intended to support local community initiatives, but without modern systems in place, managing them can become overwhelming quickly. Administrative tasks, such as reviews and data entry, are crucial for ensuring accuracy, transparency, and audit readiness. However, when they rely on spreadsheets or Read More
Lean teams are the backbone of many foundations, often utilizing robust software for grantmakers. These small, but mighty teams manage complex grant lifecycles and track impact, often with disjointed systems. When processes are fragmented, even the most capable teams spend more time reacting to errors instead of supporting decision-makers. With greater consistency across their grant Read More
Artificial intelligence is now part of the grantmaking process. Applicants are increasingly using AI tools to help draft responses, and funders are beginning to utilize AI to summarize applications, organize reviewer notes, or support internal workflows. The use of AI raises important questions. How do you maintain fairness when AI is used on both sides Read More
Research offices are receiving more funding requests than ever, yet many still rely on manual processes that hinder their ability to keep pace. When staff are stretched thin, reviews slow down, reporting becomes harder to manage, and promising discoveries wait longer for support. Grant management software, like Foundant, helps ease that strain. By giving researchers, Read More
Managing events can be a complex juggling act. Coordinating logistics, communicating with stakeholders, and ensuring every detail aligns perfectly takes time and precision. For Kim Thao of Bader Philanthropies and Annie Brinkman of the Spencer Foundation, the key to simplifying this process was centralization. By leveraging SmartSimple Cloud’s Event Management tool, they transformed their workflows Read More
Two years ago, we introduced SmartSimple Cloud +AI, marking a significant step forward in how grantmakers leverage artificial intelligence to streamline their workflows. Since then, AI has rapidly evolved and so has our platform. As AI adoption continues to grow, we’re taking a moment to refresh what SmartSimple Cloud +AI offers, the impact it’s made, Read More
This FAQ introduces the SmartSimple Idea Lab, a collaborative space where users can submit, vote on, and discuss enhancement ideas for SmartSimple Cloud. It outlines how to access the Idea Lab, who can participate, how ideas are handled, and what each status means, helping you get the most out of the new system. 1. What Read More
In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, managing documents efficiently is essential. SmartSimple Cloud’s Download Files feature, available directly from the list view, makes downloading files across multiple records seamless and intuitive. This powerful tool lets you download files from several records in one go, customize folder structures, and keep your workflow smooth. Whether you’re handling grants, research applications, Read More