Introduction

Foundant Technologies (Grant Lifecycle Manager) – An overview in their own words.

Foundant, SmartSimple, and GivingData have joined forces. As a result, we are excited to support foundations of all types and sizes through thoughtful, collaborative, and innovative approaches that drive philanthropic impact. We offer grants and scholarship management, foundation management, donor management, and fund accounting software to philanthropic organizations across the social good sector.

Foundant Technologies (Grant Lifecycle Manager)

Foundant Technologies (Grant Lifecycle Manager)

Integrations

Data Next-Level Practice #1

Develop system defaults that make existing data sources easy to find and use.

  • Build functionality to support easy data discovery, reuse, and sharing that funders and nonprofits opt into by default.
  • Develop real-time data sharing pipelines with data providers, utilizing various application programming interfaces (APIs), including read/write, webhook/event-driven, and/or firehose APIs.
  • Offer easy-to-use data catalogs.

Defaulting to easy discovery and reuse of existing data saves time, reduces burden, and ensures access to accurate, up-to-date information.

Third Party Data Integrations

Third-party data integrations streamline workflows by automatically populating applications and reports with information, reducing manual entry and administrative burden. They also enhance decision-making by providing richer organizational insights and enabling easier data comparison across applicants.

Data Source Integration Type Model for Access Integration Process
360Giving Other Free To All Using Self-Serve Tools
Candid API (Read Only) Free To All Integrated by Default for All
CauseIQ - - -
Charity Navigator - - -
GivingTuesday - - -
GlobalGiving - - -
GreatNonprofits API (Read Only) Free To All Integrated by Default for All
Impact Genome - - -
Impala - - -
Nonprofit Open Data Collective - - -
NGOsource - - -
OrgHunter - - -
Philanthropy Data Commons - - -
ProPublica - - -
UpMetrics - - -
Urban - - -
US Census Bureau - - -
US IRS Other Free To All Integrated by Default for All
United Nations - - -
Other Data Source - - -

The OFAC data source is used as part of a screening process to ensure that individuals or entities involved in a transaction are not listed on sanctions lists maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Grant Connect: CRA The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) data source contains a list of verified T3010 Registered Charities and their status.

In Progress Nlp

External Data Sharing

Build real-time data pipelines (read/write/webhook APIs).

Offering read/write, webhook, or firehose APIs for external data sharing makes it easy for funders to set permissions and automatically share data directly with the entities they choose.

Yes, our platform currently supports data sharing through read-only APIs and data exports, providing access to all fields within the Grant Management System (GMS). On our near-term roadmap, we are actively developing a CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) API focused on core system and frequently used data fields. This enhancement will allow for more dynamic and flexible data integration and sharing, empowering clients to connect their systems and streamline workflows with greater ease.

Available Nlp

Data Catalogs or Documentation

Provide easy to use data catalogs.

Providing easy-to-use data catalogs demystifies which third-party data sources a system integrates with, helping users understand their options before creating custom grant applications or reporting features.

Yes, access to all documentation integration is available through our learning center during onboard and for continued client access.

In Progress Nlp

Reusing Data As A Primary Source

Use existing data before requesting new data entry.

Prioritizing existing third-party data as a primary source means making it the default—encouraging customers to use available data first and add custom questions or reporting features only as needed. This helps funders start with what exists and build from that baseline.

Yes, when an organization is setting up their system, we encourage the use of Candid fields to pre-populate application and organization data, and we also provide access to 990s directly through the platform. We are continuously evaluating how to leverage publicly available data to build richer organizational profiles—reducing the burden on applicants to repeatedly share standard information.

Available Nlp

On-Platform Nonprofit Profiles

Support nonprofit profiles that can be reused on multiple grant applications.

Storing nonprofit profile information collected by other funders is a strong first step in reducing burden—especially if nonprofits can reuse that data for applications and reports. Sharing it with central data repositories and providers takes the effort even further.

Yes, our platform allows nonprofit profiles to be completed and reused across multiple LOIs and applications. Since all applications are linked to the same profile, there’s no need to re-enter or update the information for each individual application for a given funder. We also support application copy functionality to encourage data reuse for a given funder.

Capacity Building

Data Next-Level Practice #3

Build funder and nonprofit data capacity through integrated educational resources that help them understand data reuse and sharing.

Educational resources build funder and nonprofit capacity to reuse and share data effectively, reducing duplication and improving decisions.

Available Nlp

Integrated Educational Resources

Demystify data reuse and sharing with helpful educational resources.

Educating funders and nonprofits about where their data resides, how to update it, and empowering them to control their narratives across multiple platforms is essential. This not only helps keep information current but also reduces burden when the same data is reused by multiple funders.

Yes, we regularly provide educational resource webinars and often partner with experts to provide thought leadership and best practices.

Available Nlp

Data Reuse Onboarding & Training

Data reuse concepts integrated as part of onboarding and training.

During onboarding, showing new customers how the system supports data reuse helps them embed better data practices across the grant lifecycle, reducing nonprofit burden and strengthening overall data quality.

Yes, Data reuse and integration with third-party sources are covered in onboarding, training, and highlighted during key workflows for the client journey.

Available Nlp

Data Sharing Onboarding & Training

Data sharing concepts integrated as part of onboarding and training.

During onboarding, showing new customers how the system supports data sharing helps them embed better data practices across the grant lifecycle, reducing nonprofit burden and strengthening overall data quality.

Data sharing is available as part of client onboarding, training, and workflows, whether running exports or using the API. It is up to the client to determine where they would share the data.

In Progress Nlp

Data Reuse In Place of Manual Collection

Actively encourage data reuse in place of manual collection.

Actively promoting data reuse in your materials, trainings, and system outreach sets a new standard and helps shift expectations away from customization and bespoke data collection.

Yes, we actively encourage the use of publicly available data sources such as Candid and IRS records, along with built-in system tools designed to reduce applicant burden. We continue to evaluate additional public data sources to further minimize manual data entry and streamline the application experience.

Taxonomies

Data Next-Level Practice #4

Default to modern, common taxonomies and support interoperability.

  • Develop default functionalities that support the use of modern, common taxonomies (e.g., GeoNames, Impact Genome Standards, Candid Philanthropy Classification System, UN SDGs, etc.).
  • Develop the functionality to map/crosswalk custom taxonomies—e.g., those proprietary to your system or those custom to individual organizations—to modern, common taxonomies for interoperability.
  • Develop the functionality to map/crosswalk legacy taxonomies —e.g., the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE)—to modern, common taxonomies for interoperability.

Using common taxonomies with crosswalks ensures interoperability, prevents silos, and makes data easier to compare and integrate across systems.

Integrated Taxonomies

A platform’s ability to support modern, widely adopted taxonomies makes it easier to align with sector standards and conduct “apples to apples” analysis while reducing data collection burdens on nonprofits. As NTEE is no longer updated and contains offensive and outdated language, it is not considered a modern, common taxonomy.

Taxonomy Type Availability Mappings/Crosswalks
Candid Philanthropy Classification System (PCS) Multi-Faceted Integrated by Default for All Not Currently
Geonames Geographic Not Available -
International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Aid Tracking Not Available -
Impact Genome Standards Impact Measurement Not Available -
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Development Goals Not Available -
System Proprietary Taxonomies Custom Not Available -
Bespoke Custom Taxonomies Custom Using Self-Serve Tools Not Currently

Not Currently Nlp

Taxonomy Educational Resources

Help funders understand the benefits of modern, common taxonomies.

Educating funders about available resources encourages them to build on existing frameworks rather than designing their own. This helps the sector move toward a more common understanding of its activities.

In the past, we have collaborated with other organizations to offer educational webinars on this topic.

Not Currently Nlp

Taxonomy Catalogs or Documentation

Provide clients with a taxonomy catalog to encourage discovery.

Providing clients with a taxonomy catalog or documentation of integrated modern taxonomies helps demystify system options and encourages funders to build on common frameworks.

Available Nlp

Multi-Taxonomy Coding

Support coding data into multiple modern, common taxonomies.

Supporting the ability to code into multiple modern, common taxonomies allows funders to compare apples-to-apples data and impact across the sector and around the world.

Grant Lifecycle Manager is highly configurable, enabling users to code data according to each client’s specific objectives and the taxonomies they choose to implement within their business processes.

Burden Reduction

Data Next-Level Practice #5

Develop tools, systems, and feedback loops to monitor and reduce burdens.

  • Develop tracking metrics and opportunities for feedback so that funders can take informed actions that proactively reduce burdens in their systems and processes.
  • Develop tools, such as performance dashboards and in-line recommendations in application editors, that can guide funders to reduce burdens and incorporate Data Next-Level Practices proactively.

Tracking tools and feedback loops make burdens visible so funders can take action to reduce them and improve nonprofit experiences.

Not Currently Nlp

Estimated Time and Effort to Completion Tracking

Offer tools and systems for proactively reducing burdens.

Providing funders and nonprofits with estimates of the time and effort required for processes like LOIs, surveys, and applications helps all stakeholders manage these types of processes more effectively.

In Progress Nlp

Burden Reduction Performance Dashboards

Offer dashboards that give insight into burden reduction efforts.

Providing funders with performance dashboards or metrics to track burden reduction helps them better understand how their processes impact nonprofit partners.

Clients can configure their dashboards based on the funders’ data that they collect to monitor their performance. This is data specific to that organization and benchmarked or comparative to other funders.

Not Currently Nlp

In-Line Burden Reduction Guidance

Proactively reduce application burden with immediate feedback and help.

Offering funders in-line guidance within application editors proactively encourages them to reduce applicant burden.

This is not done in the system but highlighted through our onboarding course and Implementation Specialists.

In Progress Nlp

Applicant Feedback Loops

Offer ability for applicants to provide feedback on systems and processes.

Allowing applicants to provide (optionally anonymous) feedback on funder systems and processes captures fresh, real-time insights and enables continuous improvement.

Clients can create individual feedback sections in their forms, but they would not have the ability to remain anonymous.

Data Governance

Data Next-Level Practice #6

Offer transparent data governance and update processes.

  • Publicly share your data governance policy on your website.
  • Be open about your governance processes with stakeholders (e.g., funders; data, taxonomy, and infrastructure providers; and nonprofits) as you plan to update data systems, processes, and taxonomies.
  • Offer the ability for stakeholders to provide suggestions and input on a rolling basis.

Transparent governance builds trust and accountability while inviting stakeholder input to keep data practices fair and responsive.

Planned Nlp

Data Governance Policy Available Online

Publicly share data governance policy.

Publicly sharing your data governance update process lets users know when they can provide feedback and how actively the company reviews its policies.

Today, we provide access to SOC 2, Privacy Policy, and Data Processing, which include aspects of Data Governance. https://www.foundant.com/legal/

Planned Nlp

Transparent Data Governance Update Process

Be open about governance update processes with stakeholders.

Sharing information about how and when data governance policies are updated shows that the organization is actively maintaining and improving its practices. It helps nonprofits and funders understand how decisions are made, when changes might affect them, and how they can stay aligned. Transparency in the update process builds trust, ensures accountability, and signals that governance is not static but responsive to evolving needs and standards in the sector.

Not Currently Nlp

Governance Feedback Loops

Offer the ability for stakeholders to provide input on a rolling basis.

Offering the ability for stakeholders to provide suggestions and input on a rolling basis ensures that users feel heard and respected while building a culture of learning and partnership.

Share Feedback

We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.

Get Involved

Participate in user focus groups, visioning sessions, and more.

Fund This Work

We’re only getting started, let’s make history together.

Editorial Notes

About the Directories
The NLPs are aspirational and forward-looking, designed to move the sector beyond current practice. Not all vendors or providers have adopted them yet, that’s expected. We encourage you to engage your chosen partners around the NLPs.

Join the Directories
We welcome and encourage new participants. Together, our community of GMS vendors and data providers are working to make philanthropy’s data more connected, equitable, and reusable. To get started, visit Join the Directories.

Disclaimer
Information in these directories was voluntarily shared by the providers. It is for reference only and does not imply endorsement. For updates or corrections, please contact us.