Security and HTTPS
GO Smart requires an SSL certificate to open linked web pages. This means applicants need to provide web page links that begin with the https:// lead in if they want reviewers to link directly to their support material. Applicants may type in any active webpage when you request that they provide links to their support […]
Media Request Using a Custom Narrative Page
You have likely learned a lot about how to use the Media Library and Media Library Selection page to request media from your applicants. Using those tools requires a two-step process for both you and your applicants. The benefits of using those tools are: Applicants can store and manage high quality media files in their […]
How Grantmakers are Adapting to a ‘New Normal’
COVID-19 has significantly changed the way many arts organizations have been managing their work over the past few months, playing a huge role in how grantmakers are adapting to a new normal. A lot of these changes have forced organizations to rethink how they function and support their local organizations, artists, and colleagues. To help […]
Launch Additional Programs
You can use these steps of creating your first program to create all additional programs from scratch. Alternatively, after creating one cycle of a program, you can use that cycle content to create the first cycle of a similar program. Creating a new program this way will clone the details and settings of the Program Cycles […]
Launch Your Grant Cycle
After you have set up your site with a member of the GO Smart team, you will likely be eager to launch your first grant. Navigate to the Grant Editor tab to do the following: Create and modify the names of your programs from Programs. Manage the logistics and settings from the Program Cycles Editor. […]
Tell Your Story With Data
By using an online grant management system like GO Smart, you will have a giant pool of data at your disposal to help tell your stories. When you want to tell your story with data, you may not be a graphic designer (or a millennial!) but you can easily pull statistics or trends from your […]
Be Nice to Your Applicants
Here’s Why You Should Make Things Easier on Them—and Yourself! We all know that having a positive reputation among applicant pools is essential. It can help to ensure that you attract the best applicants to your grants. But do you know what your applicants really think about your application process? Looking at the workflow from […]
The Power of the Panel
The GO team is sharing four helpful tips to help you utilize the power of the panel to keep your grants management process effective and efficient. Just like standards for grant applications, panel processes can vary widely from organization to organization. Although customization for your specific needs can be great, oftentimes processes just get complicated […]
Before You Make That Pitch for Cloud-Based Grants Management, Start Here!
Let’s face it: We could all use a little more money. And a lot more time. For nonprofits in particular, this is nothing new. But making the case for adopting cloud-based grants management systems can be challenging when you need the buy-in of those who may not instantly understand how such an investment will improve […]
Transitioning from paper to an online grants management system
Changing a tried and true process can be daunting in grants management due to the number of stakeholders involved in the process. You need an online grants management process that is simple for applicants, efficient for administrators, and easy for panelists–meeting all of these obligations is sometimes hard.Though it may seem like an uphill battle, […]
Media Library Tools
Learn more about the elements of setting up the Media Library Modules (Administrator Step 1) here. While setting up a Media Library Selection Page, aka the Work Sample Select page on some existing or cloned cycles (Administrator Step 2), craft your own language for the Info/Instruction section or use our suggestion found here. For additional […]
Launch Additional Cycles
After offering your initial cycle of a program, you will likely need to prepare for your next cycle (aka, the next offering of your grant opportunity). Navigate to the Grant Editor tab and follow the steps below to simply clone the previous cycle of that program to create your new cycle. Creating a new cycle will clone the details and settings of the Program […]
Grants management doesn’t need to be complicated
Learn how to simplify your grants management process and save more time so you can focus on the big stuff With all of the paperwork, accountability, and document retention that already comes with grant-making, why are we making our jobs more difficult by having multitudes of programs and lengthy grant applications? Not only is this […]
Media Library Selection Page Suggested Info/Instruction Language
Like all pages in GO Smart, the Media Library Selection page includes an Info/Instruction text field where you can include custom language. While you can direct your applicants on how to use the Media Library Selection page in whatever way you prefer, we have created some template language you might find helpful. This dynamic page […]
Launch Your Grant Cycle
Prepare and launch your grant cycle by following the steps below. Learn more about these elements here: Programs Program Cycles (for logistics and to make the cycle available to users) Application Pages
GO Smart Statuses
GO Smart Statuses Admin will manage the progress of an applicant’s cycle activity by using the statuses on the Grant Manager dashboard. Some statuses occur automatically based on applicants’ actions from their Current Programs & Applications page. Other statuses must be manually selected by an admin in order to determine the progress of the application. Admin […]
Definitions, Hints, and Tips
Though we hope that you’ll find GO Smart to be intuitive, there are a few places where you may want to know a little bit more about the language we use, some lesser-known tools, and system rules. DEFINITIONS Grant Opportunity – Your entire workflow of a single grant process that includes any or all of […]
Prep Your Applicant Portal
Prepare your applicant’s grant portal by following the steps below. You can always update these settings at any time, but ensure a positive experience for your applicants by paying attention to these items before directing them to your GO Smart site. Learn more about these elements here: Home Message Branding Profile Editor Media Library Module […]
Panel in 5 Easy Steps
For additional information, see the Panelist tutorials and videos.
NEA Tools
There are several tools in GO Smart to assist with the FDR reporting required of pass-through funders of the National Endowment of the Arts. The NEA Questions Template (the 2023 updates for which are laid out in detail below) The Activity Locations Template The Project Budget Template The NEA Report The Activity Locations Report At […]
