Founded in 2013, Ignite Philanthropy supports the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors through fundraising, philanthropic advising, and strategic analytics. One component of this is enhancing the impact of its clients’ philanthropic efforts by ensuring efficient grant management and compliance. Managing a diverse range of grants, including competitive, renewal, internship, and employee matching grants, Ignite processes between 900 and 1,000 applications annually, with managed contributions reaching $15 to $20 million.

As Ignite’s client base grew so did the complexity of its grants management processes. To better manage this growth, address a new range of grant types that had unique requirements and compliance needs, and deliver strategic analytics to clients, Ignite turned to Blackbaud Grantmaking.

“We chose Blackbaud Grantmaking because it allows us to keep our clients’ funds and grants accurately and clearly separated,” said Patrick Points, director of IT. “When compared to the other systems we were using, Blackbaud was the obvious choice for handling multiple funds, ensuring data integrity and client satisfaction.”

Blackbaud Grantmaking has provided Ignite with the tools to streamline its operations. Points highlighted the importance of customization because each of their clients has different needs and has different requirements. This level of customization ensures that each client receives a tailored experience, enhancing satisfaction and engagement.

“With Blackbaud Grantmaking, we can customize the application forms, the questions, the requirements, the reports, all the templates, everything we generate for clients,” said Points. “We used to mail printed letters, so having the ability to send documents electronically has improved the speed and efficiency of the grant process, allowing for quicker payments and better applicant experiences.”

Reducing Admin Burdens and Gaining Efficiencies

Ignite effectively manages multiple grantmaking environments for its clients using Blackbaud Grantmaking’s branch functionality. The feature allows each client’s database to operate separately, ensuring data segregation and security. Points explained that one client wants all their data segregated and he can easily accommodate this request by using the branch functionality. This functionality satisfies even clients with the strictest security requirements.

“The efficiency gained from the branch functionality reduces administrative burdens, allowing us to focus more on strategic initiatives and client relationships,” said Points. “We can give them a better experience and one that’s unique to them because they can run reports or export data themselves.”

Ensuring Grant Compliance

Ignite uses Blackbaud Grantmaking to maintain compliance with grant requirements through features like the eligibility quiz and tax status verification. The eligibility quiz is particularly valued by Ignite’s clients because it allows them to quickly filter out applicants who do not meet the necessary criteria. “The eligibility quiz not only aids in compliance but also encourages applicants to provide or reach out for more information about opportunities, fostering better communication and understanding of the foundations’ goals,” said Points.

The tax status verification tool improved Ignite’s due diligence process while also removing additional steps to verify compliance. “We previously subscribed to GuideStar but now I just use the tools built into Blackbaud Grantmaking to confirm an organization is compliant,” said Points. “This tool ensures that we can maintain accurate compliance records, enhancing confidence in our grantmaking process.”

Streamlining Board Book Creation

Approximately 20% of Ignite’s clients still prefer tangible board books for their meetings. Previously, creating a board book would take months of planning and consisted of manual, antiquated efforts such as printing and binding. For one client specifically, their board book could be up to 300 pages. “The creation of a board book would take almost two weeks depending on the size,” said Points. “Now with Blackbaud Grantmaking, we can combine documents into a single PDF, which cuts down the time spent on assembling from hours to just a few minutes, significantly reducing stress and administrative workload.”

Another benefit of using the tools in Blackbaud Grantmaking is that Ignite can supplement the data in the board books with real-time data so clients always have access to the most current information.

Facilitating Grant Application Reviews and Measuring Impact

Blackbaud Grantmaking plays a crucial role in facilitating the grant application review process. Ignite utilizes the reviewer portal, which allows reviewers to securely access applications, submit feedback, and score proposals, all within a centralized platform. This streamlined process ensures that reviews are conducted efficiently and that feedback is promptly integrated into decision-making.

In addition, Blackbaud Grantmaking supports Ignite in measuring the impact of grants. The platform’s reporting capabilities allow the organization to track outcomes, evaluate the effectiveness of funded programs, and share insights with clients. “We can provide detailed reports that show the tangible impact of the grants, which is invaluable for our clients,” said Points. “This data-driven approach not only demonstrates the value of the grants but also helps clients make informed decisions about future funding.”

The customization, security, and efficiency provided by Blackbaud Grantmaking has empowered Ignite to deliver exceptional service to its clients, supporting their philanthropic goals and maximizing the impact of their grants. “With Blackbaud Grantmaking, we’ve been able to elevate our grant management to a new level, making a real difference for our clients and the communities they serve,” said Points.