Written by Harry Johnson » Updated on: June 16th, 2025
Grantmaking is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have to make a lasting impact. But traditional methods—managing applications through emails, tracking disbursements in spreadsheets, and relying on siloed data—can make the entire process overwhelming, slow, and error-prone.
That’s where Salesforce for nonprofit organization operations truly shines.
Salesforce offers a purpose-built solution: Nonprofit Cloud for Grantmaking. But rather than just seeing it as a software platform, nonprofits can think of it as a strategy-enabling engine — one that streamlines planning, enhances collaboration, and brings visibility into results.
In this blog, we’ll break down how nonprofits can actively use Salesforce’s grantmaking software to strengthen their funding programs. From setup to reporting, we’ll explore step-by-step actions to help grantmakers run more efficient, transparent, and impact-focused programs.
Before diving into applications and disbursements, your first move is to set up a unified structure within Salesforce for your entire grantmaking operation.
Here’s how to start:
With this structure in place, your team can see how individual grants contribute to broader organizational strategies and monitor where funding is going — all from a single pane of glass.
Rather than sending static PDFs or using external forms, nonprofits can build dynamic grant applications directly within Salesforce.
Here’s what that means in practice:
These applications are then routed through a centralized workflow — making it easy to track which have been submitted, which are in review, and which need follow-up.
Your team saves time, and grantseekers get a more intuitive experience.
Using Salesforce Experience Cloud, you can create a grantseeker portal — an online hub where individuals or organizations can apply for grants, check their status, collaborate with program managers, and submit updates.
Nonprofits can:
This portal eliminates back-and-forth emails and makes the application and review process transparent for everyone involved.
It’s also a space where grantees can communicate with your staff, submit follow-up data, or request amendments.
Salesforce’s grantmaking software allows nonprofit teams to collaborate efficiently when reviewing applications.
Here’s how to use it:
Because everything is centralized, team members can stay informed without redundant meetings or confusion over version control.
You can also set automated alerts to flag incomplete applications or track deadlines.
Once grants are awarded, tracking financial alignment and program changes becomes crucial. Nonprofit teams can manage grantee budgets, reporting milestones, and requests for amendments directly within the system.
How this works:
This helps maintain alignment while giving flexibility to both parties when real-world situations change.
Grant compliance is about more than just spending the money — it’s about proving that it was used responsibly.
Salesforce simplifies this with centralized grant requirements and payment tracking. Here’s what your team can do:
With this setup, program managers and finance teams can quickly check compliance status and ensure smooth fund disbursements, even across multiple programs or fiscal years.
The work doesn't stop after funds are disbursed. Nonprofits must collect, analyze, and act on progress data to measure real-world impact.
Using Salesforce:
You can also set automated reminders for grantees to submit data or schedule check-ins when progress seems off-track.
This approach shifts the focus from just “spending” to “succeeding.”
Finally, use the insights from your program data to evaluate which funding strategies are delivering results — and which may need adjustments.
Salesforce provides dashboards that aggregate:
This helps you:
Rather than operating with assumptions, you operate with visibility and agility.
Running a grantmaking program is no longer just about accepting applications and issuing checks. Today, it’s about maximizing impact — ensuring that every dollar supports meaningful, measurable outcomes.
Salesforce's grantmaking solution helps nonprofits:
But most importantly, it empowers you to focus less on administrative complexity — and more on funding what matters most.
Looking to improve your impact strategy? Talk to a trusted Salesforce nonprofit implementation partner and bring your grantmaking into the future — connected, data-driven, and mission-aligned.
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