May 2025

Hi there, 

Here is your latest SmartyNews - a regular newsletter provided exclusively to active SmartyGrants users, through which we provide important system updates and policy notifications.

System updates

We have a couple of updates scheduled for release on May 12 – details on these features are outlined below: 

• Reporting on longitude/latitude fields: These fields, which are collected via validated addresses, will be available when building a report template (for Word or Excel). Visit the Help Hub to learn more about creating report templates.
• 'Create Program' change: Administrator users can now create a program from the programs listing page, rather than creating one via the account settings. Visit the Help Hub to learn more about creating a program.

Please contact the service team if you need more information on either of these items.  

2025 has you off to a flying start 🤩

Did you miss the other features we announced in January? Here's a reminder:

• Standard Sections for all users: Standard Sections allow repeatable sections or grids to be defined as a standard field. See Standard Sections on our Help Hub to learn more.
• Variations: Modifications to the original grant agreement may be necessary due to changes in project scope, budgetary adjustments, shifts in project timelines, etc. Our new Variations forms and decision recording feature allows for a more specialised handling of variations within the system. See Variations on our Help Hub to learn more. You can also check out our webinar recording here.
• Original amount approved: This is a  new field available on the Application Decision tab. It allows for easier comparison when funding variations are applied. See Record Decisions and Funding on the Help Hub to learn more.
• Mailout templates: Standardise your communications with our new mailout templates - see Mailouts on the Help Hub to learn more.

Introducing Alex:

Here to help you navigate SmartyGrants with confidence 

Meet Alex, our SmartyGrants UK Training and Support Specialist, who has recently joined the Our Community family. With over 15 years of experience in service and training across corporate and retail industries, Alex has a real knack for making complex systems feel simple. They channel this expertise into crafting intuitive training experiences and providing stellar support that helps SmartyGrants users feel confident and empowered. 

Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Game Design, Alex brings creativity, empathy, and a deep commitment to inclusion -  especially transgender equity - to everything they do. When they’re not leveling up user support, you’ll find them designing games, writing fiction, cooking elaborate meals, or camping under the stars. We're thrilled to have Alex on the team - a game-changer in more ways than one!

You can contact Alex and the rest of the team by emailing service@smartygrants.co.uk 

Updated Third Party Service Providers listing

We have recently updated our Third Party Service Providers list - you can view the latest version here.

Upcoming SmartyGrants event

Measuring What Matters: Roundtable for local authorities 

UK and Irish local government grant managers can register for a free online roundtable designed to explore modern practices for measuring outcomes in local government grantmaking.

SmartyGrants staff will draw on our experience of supporting more than 200 Australian and New Zealand local authority grantmakers to explore effective strategies, tools, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that enhance transparency, accountability, and impact assessment.

Participants will hear some real-life examples from local government grantmakers, take part in collaborative discussions, explore common challenges, and identify ways to improve grant design, outcomes tracking, and reporting.

What:   Measuring What Matters: A Roundtable on Outcomes in Local Government

Who:    Local Government grants managers and commissioners   

When:  8 June, 10:00am – 11:30am BST

Where: Online webinar

Cost:    Free   

New training options added 

To commence or complete a SmartySkills course, select the Help ➡️ Education and Training button when logged in to your manage user account. 

You're receiving this email because you are a registered user of SmartyGrants, a product of Our Community International in the UK. All SmartyGrants users are advised to remain on this subscription list to receive important system and policy updates.