What is SmarterSelect grant management software?

SmarterSelect is cloud-based application management software designed specifically for organizations managing scholarships, grants, and awards. The platform enables associations to create custom applications, manage reviewer workflows, automate evaluations, and track award distribution without requiring technical expertise or coding skills.

How does SmarterSelect compare to Submittable and SmartSimple?

SmarterSelect positions itself as the most affordable and accessible option, ideal for associations with straightforward to moderately complex programs and limited IT resources. Submittable offers more sophisticated workflow capabilities and impact measurement at mid-market pricing. SmartSimple provides enterprise-grade configurability for highly complex programs but requires significant implementation investment and technical expertise.

Can SmarterSelect integrate with my Association Management System?

Yes, SmarterSelect offers single sign-on integration with major AMS platforms including Abila/netForum, Personify, iMIS, and GIN systems. This allows members to access scholarship applications seamlessly from your member portal while SmarterSelect handles the complete grant lifecycle management independently of your AMS.

What are the main strengths and limitations of SmarterSelect according to peer reviews?

Peer reviews consistently praise SmarterSelect for ease of use, affordable pricing, responsive customer support, and the valuable scholarship matching feature. Common limitations include export formatting challenges for complex reports, occasional interface complexity for advanced administrative tasks, and integration depth limitations with specialized systems. The platform maintains 4.2-4.5 star ratings across major review platforms.

SmarterSelect Grant Software Review for Association Executives

Q: How much does SmarterSelect cost for associations?

SmarterSelect pricing ranges from $2,000 to $9,000 annually depending on features and organizational needs. The company offers non-profit pricing for all organizations regardless of size, with no setup fees, no long-term contracts, and unlimited programs within each pricing tier. Contact the vendor directly for specific quotes based on your requirements.

Nov 13
15 min read

Comprehensive SmarterSelect review for association executives. Expert analysis of grant management features, pricing, peer reviews, and competitive positioning.

Affordable Application Management

Associations face a challenging reality: managing scholarships, grants, and awards with software that wasn't built for the task. Most Association Management Systems offer basic application forms—perhaps a simple web form connected to a database—but lack the sophisticated workflow automation, reviewer management, and evaluation tools that professional grant administration demands. For associations distributing thousands of dollars annually across member scholarships or community grants, this gap creates administrative burdens that drain staff time and compromise program quality.

SmarterSelect enters this space as a specialized solution designed specifically for grant, scholarship, and awards management. Unlike enterprise-grade platforms that require dedicated IT resources, SmarterSelect positions itself as accessible and intuitive while delivering professional-grade capabilities. This review examines whether SmarterSelect represents the right fit for associations seeking to professionalize their grant operations without enterprise-level complexity or investment.

What category is SmarterSelect software found in?

SmarterSelect functions within the GMS (Grant Management Software) category, which is also known as Application Management Systems or Awards Management Software. At SmartThoughts, we frequently describe these tools as Submission software when they offer multiple form capabilities. This specialized software category serves organizations that administer scholarships, distribute grants, manage award programs, or oversee any application-driven process requiring structured evaluation workflows and compliance documentation.

Unlike general-purpose project management or basic form builders found in most AMS platforms, grant management software provides purpose-built tools for the complete application lifecycle—from intake through evaluation to award distribution and impact reporting.

Summary of the SmarterSelect Software

SmarterSelect, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides cloud-based application management software serving non-profit program leaders, foundations, educational institutions, associations, and corporations [1]. According to LinkedIn, the company employs between 11-50 people [2]. The platform has grown to serve over 600 foundations and non-profits, processing applications for more than 2 million users across 40,000+ programs [3].

Robert Davis, President of SmarterSelect, articulates the company's service-first philosophy: "We are, first and foremost, a service company. We don't sell technology. We help our clients achieve their goals and satisfaction by serving them with outstanding customer support coupled with our deep understanding of online applications" [4]. The company remains self-funded and profitable, maintaining independence while slowly expanding its market presence in the online applications space.

The Purpose Statement of the Software

SmarterSelect's core mission centers on eliminating the administrative chaos that plagues application-driven programs. The company's stated purpose is "ending application chaos" by providing intuitive software that saves non-profit program leads up to 75-85% of their administrative time [5]. Their vision focuses on enabling organizations to spend less time managing paperwork and more time focusing on their mission—selecting deserving recipients and creating impact through their grant programs. The platform aims to make sophisticated application management accessible to organizations of all sizes, from single-program operations to foundations managing hundreds of distinct scholarship funds.

What Makes SmarterSelect a Fit for the Association Market?

Associations managing grant programs face unique challenges that typical AMS platforms struggle to address. Consider a professional medical association distributing $500,000 annually across research grants and continuing education scholarships. This requires customizable applications with conditional logic, automated reviewer assignment with conflict-of-interest screening, weighted scoring rubrics, milestone-based payment tracking, and board-level reporting—capabilities that basic AMS forms simply cannot provide.

SmartSelect addresses this gap through several key differentiators. The platform's no-code customization allows program managers without technical expertise to build sophisticated applications in under 24 hours, removing dependency on IT resources or outside consultants [6]. For associations juggling multiple grant programs—early-career awards, research funding, community impact grants—SmarterSelect's unlimited program model eliminates per-program fees that plague competitors, making budget planning predictable [7].

The scholarship matching feature proves particularly valuable for member associations. Rather than requiring applicants to navigate dozens of individual scholarship applications, members complete a single questionnaire that automatically matches them to eligible awards based on criteria like specialty area, career stage, or demographics. This applicant-friendly approach reflects positively on the association's brand while significantly reducing administrative coordination [8].

Integration capabilities allow SmarterSelect to complement existing AMS investments.

The platform offers single sign-on with major AMS vendors, including Abila/netForum, Personify, iMIS, and GIN systems [9], enabling members to access scholarship applications seamlessly from the member portal. For associations where grant-making represents core mission work rather than occasional activity, these specialized capabilities justify investment beyond basic AMS functionality.

What are the Functional Goals of SmarterSelect Software?

Based on SmarterSelect's public documentation and feature specifications, the platform addresses these functional areas [10]:

Application Building and Management: Drag-and-drop form builder with no coding required, conditional logic and branching, calculation rules, pre-built templates, multi-program support, and document upload management.
Applicant Experience: Mobile-responsive interface, save-and-resume functionality, real-time status tracking, automated email and SMS notifications, online recommendation system, and pre-qualification screening.
Reviewer and Evaluation Tools: Customizable scoring rubrics, multi-stage review processes, automated evaluator assignment, conflict-of-interest management, side-by-side application comparison, collaborative scoring, and built-in commenting.
Award Management: Fund creation and tracking, award amount assignment, winner notification automation, acceptance status tracking, award letter generation, and payment processing through the integrated SendGrant system.
Reporting and Analytics: Customizable dashboards, application analytics, demographic reporting, CSV and PDF exports, Excel-ready data exports, and audit trail documentation.
Communication Tools: Bulk email capabilities, custom email templates, applicant portal messaging, SMS text messaging, and automated reminder systems.

Where Does SmarterSelect Fit in the Association Technology Ecosystem?

SmarterSelect functions as a "best-of-breed" solution that complements rather than competes with an Association Management System. Understanding this relationship requires examining the SmartThoughts Tier framework [11], which categorizes membership software based on organizational complexity and needs.

Most AMS platforms—particularly Tier 3 systems serving associations with $500K-$2M budgets—offer basic application forms suitable for straightforward scholarship tracking but lack the sophisticated evaluation workflows, reviewer management, and compliance tools that professional grant administration requires. Even Tier 1 and Tier 2 AMS systems typically provide only fundamental award tracking rather than comprehensive lifecycle management.

The integration pattern typically works like this: The AMS maintains member profiles, tracks eligibility status (such as "members in good standing"), and manages overall member relationships. SmarterSelect handles the complete grant lifecycle from application intake through evaluation, award distribution, and outcome tracking. Data flows between systems through API connections or single sign-on integration, allowing members to access applications seamlessly while maintaining SmarterSelect as the authoritative source for all grant-related activities.

This makes sense for associations where grant-making represents significant mission investment. The decision threshold typically occurs when an association distributes substantial funding (generally $250,000+ annually) or manages programs with complexity that basic AMS forms cannot adequately support—multiple review stages, numerous evaluators, weighted scoring requirements, or rigorous compliance tracking.

Who are some likely competitors in the Association Market?

SmarterSelect competes in a growing grant management software market serving associations, foundations, and educational institutions. Understanding competitive positioning helps associations make informed decisions:

Submittable offers comprehensive social impact management with sophisticated workflow automation and strong integration capabilities. Strengths include an intuitive interface, fast implementation, and excellent fraud prevention. Pricing typically starts around $5,000-$8,000 annually for smaller programs [12]. Submittable targets associations with moderately complex to complex grant portfolios seeking professional capabilities without extensive technical requirements.

SmartSimple Cloud provides enterprise-grade configurability and comprehensive functionality spanning grants management, scholarships, and corporate social responsibility programs. Strengths include exceptional customization depth and powerful workflow automation. However, this enterprise focus comes with corresponding implementation complexity and higher pricing, typically starting around $6,000 annually with significant implementation costs [13]. SmartSimple serves associations with highly complex, multi-layered programs requiring extensive customization, often with dedicated program staff and IT support.

WizeHive Zengine delivers flexible grant and scholarship management with configurable workflows. Strengths include good automation and integration capabilities. Considerations include a learning curve for complex configurations and pricing that may challenge smaller programs. Pricing typically starts around $3,000 annually for up to 1,000 applicants.

FluidReview (SurveyMonkey Apply) provides streamlined application and review management with strong evaluation tools. Strengths include an intuitive interface and robust review features. Considerations include more limited payment integration compared to competitors and fewer impact measurement tools.

Comparative Analysis: SmarterSelect vs. Submittable vs. SmartSimple

To help association executives understand where SmarterSelect fits in the competitive landscape, here's a detailed comparison with the two previously reviewed platforms:

Implementation Complexity and Time to Value:

SmarterSelect emphasizes rapid deployment, with setup often completed in less than 24 hours and organizations going live quickly using pre-built templates. The no-code interface allows non-technical staff to configure programs independently. This approach prioritizes accessibility and speed.

Submittable similarly focuses on user-friendly implementation, with over half of customers launching within 14 days. The platform balances professional capabilities with administrative simplicity, typically requiring 2-4 weeks for full deployment, including training.

SmartSimple requires more substantial implementation investment, with 4-8 weeks typical for deployment and configuration. The platform's exceptional configurability demands either internal technical expertise or consultant support, trading faster launch for deeper customization potential.

Pricing Positioning:

SmarterSelect positions itself as the most affordable option, with annual pricing ranging from $2,000-$9,000 depending on features and scale [14]. The company emphasizes non-profit pricing for all organization sizes and eliminates per-program fees, making costs predictable. This pricing strategy targets budget-conscious associations and smaller foundations.

Submittable occupies the mid-market position, with pricing typically starting around $5,000-$8,000 annually for smaller programs and scaling to $20,000-$40,000+ for enterprise implementations. The pricing reflects more sophisticated workflow capabilities and comprehensive social impact measurement tools.

SmartSimple represents the premium option, with pricing starting around $6,000 annually plus significant implementation costs that can range from $17,000-$100,000 in the first year, depending on complexity. Ongoing annual costs range from $7,500-$20,000+. This premium pricing reflects enterprise-grade configurability and comprehensive lifecycle management.

Target Association Profile:

SmarterSelect best serves associations with straightforward to moderately complex scholarship and grant programs, limited IT resources, and budget constraints. Ideal for organizations distributing $250,000-$2 million annually across 5-50 programs that need professional capabilities without enterprise complexity.

Submittable targets associations with moderately complex to complex grant portfolios where grant-making represents core mission activity. Best fit for organizations distributing $500,000-$10 million+ annually with multiple programs requiring sophisticated workflow automation, impact measurement, and professional applicant experiences.

SmartSimple serves associations with highly complex, multi-layered programs requiring extensive customization. Ideal for larger associations or foundations distributing $5 million+ annually across numerous programs with diverse requirements, dedicated program staff, and access to technical resources.

Configurability vs. Simplicity:

SmarterSelect prioritizes ease of use and intuitive configuration, enabling non-technical users to build and manage programs independently. This approach trades some advanced configuration options for accessibility.

Submittable balances professional capabilities with user-friendly administration, offering robust workflow tools that remain accessible to non-technical staff while providing sufficient depth for complex requirements.

SmartSimple delivers exceptional configurability, allowing organizations to customize virtually every aspect of their grant-making processes. This power requires technical expertise but enables precise alignment with unique organizational workflows.

Association Executive Decision Framework:

Choose SmarterSelect if your association operates with:

Budget constraints require cost-effective solutions
Limited technical staff or IT support
Straightforward to moderately complex grant programs
Need for rapid deployment and immediate value
Preference for intuitive, accessible administration

Choose Submittable if your association requires:

Sophisticated workflow automation with a user-friendly interface
Strong impact measurement and reporting
Professional applicant experience as a brand priority
Moderate to complex grant portfolios
Balance of capability and accessibility

Choose SmartSimple if your association demands:

Exceptional customization to match unique processes
Highly complex, multi-layered program requirements
Enterprise-grade functionality across diverse programs
Dedicated technical resources for implementation and management
Comprehensive lifecycle management with advanced features

What Does The SmarterSelect Product Roadmap Look Like?

Based on SmarterSelect's website and recent announcements, the company demonstrates consistent product investment with several notable developments. Recent platform enhancements include a new Program Copy feature designed to save administrators time by allowing easy duplication of existing scholarship programs with all settings and questions intact [15]. The platform rolled out updates to its applicant portal focused on improved navigation, more intuitive interface design, and enhanced mobile responsiveness to improve the overall experience for scholarship applicants [16].

SmarterSelect integrated SendGrant for seamless fund disbursement directly to universities and students, completing the cycle from application to payment distribution [17]. The company maintains a partnership with the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), reinforcing its commitment to the scholarship community and providing networking opportunities with industry professionals.

Regarding artificial intelligence integration, there is no public information available on SmarterSelect's website about specific AI-powered features or AI capabilities incorporated into their platform. Unlike competitors who have publicly announced AI-assisted application screening or automated categorization features, SmarterSelect has not made similar announcements as of this review date. This does not necessarily indicate the absence of AI development, but rather that such features are not currently part of their public product messaging.

What is the Price of SmarterSelect Software?

SmarterSelect structures pricing based on features and organizational needs, with three primary tiers. According to publicly available information from multiple sources, pricing ranges from $2,000 to $9,000 annually [18]. G2 reports three pricing editions starting at $2,000 annually, while other sources indicate pricing from $1,000-$5,000 for smaller organizations [19].

The company emphasizes non-profit pricing for all organizations regardless of size, with no setup fees, no long-term contracts, and flexible annual subscriptions [20]. Unlike competitors charging per-program fees, SmarterSelect offers unlimited programs within each pricing tier, making costs predictable for associations managing multiple scholarship funds.

Additional costs may include SMS text messaging features, which require a $100 setup fee per local number and $40 annually for US and Canada usage. The platform includes customer support, training, and all updates within the annual subscription price.

In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information, as pricing structures evolve and custom quotes reflect specific organizational requirements, including the number of users, programs, and advanced features needed.

What Do Your Peers Say About SmarterSelect Grant Software?

SmarterSelect maintains strong peer review ratings across major platforms, though feedback reveals both significant strengths and important considerations for association executives.

Review Platform Ratings:

Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 233+ reviews [21]
G2: 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 106 reviews [22]
GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on verified reviews [23]
Software Advice: 4.5 out of 5 stars [24]

Strengths consistently cited by users:

Reviewers frequently praise the ease of use and accessibility. A program specialist from a private foundation notes: "The few things I like best about SmarterSelect is the ability to create, link, and launch applications easily, manage multiple programs with various deadlines throughout the year, and the capability to bulk email applicants, evaluators, and recommendations with just a couple of clicks. What used to take a week to organize with paper applications now takes half a day" [25].

The value proposition receives strong marks, particularly from smaller organizations. Users appreciate stable pricing without dramatic annual increases. One reviewer states: "Unlike others, they don't raise prices dramatically every year and have kept the prices down, which is great for smaller budgets" [26].

Customer support earns consistent praise. An executive director from a music association reports: "Customer Service is extremely helpful! Anytime I had a question, they helped answer it for me and walked me through how to do that task" [27]. The combination of responsive support, comprehensive documentation, and accessible assistance helps associations implement successfully without extensive consulting fees.

The scholarship matching feature proves particularly valuable. An executive director notes, "We are a small staff of two, so saving time and efficiency is very important for small non-profits. SmarterSelect offers the Scholarship Matching Questionnaire feature. This 20-question feature allows our applicants to be matched to more than 80 scholarships that we offer. This was a very valuable tool that really attracted me to SmarterSelect. Matching those students manually was very time-consuming" [28].

Limitations and concerns noted by users:

Export and reporting capabilities receive mixed feedback. While standard reports serve most needs, users managing complex requirements sometimes find limitations frustrating. One reviewer observes: "The major qualm I have with SmarterSelect is the export options. Neither exports to a pleasing, reader-friendly format. Most of our board members review online, which is ideal, but for those that prefer a printed binder, the export design ends up costing me more time than it should" [29].

Some users report interface challenges for complex administrative tasks. Review note: "I find SmarterSelect incredibly difficult to use. It is not user-friendly and has many unnecessary features. When trying to make edits to the application, you have to click about 5 buttons to make a single edit ,and then do the same for the next edit. Editing takes entirely way too long with this software" [30].

Integration limitations emerge for associations using specialized AMS platforms. While

SmarterSelect offers single sign-on with major systems; some organizations desire deeper integration for accounting and financial reporting. A foundation director notes: "The ONLY reason I might consider another software is for the integration aspect. Our Foundant and Blackbaud have similar products, but the edge they bring is the ability to integrate with our accounting software. That said, I am still not convinced that the integration will improve our system because I truly have been so pleased with the product and the price that SmarterSelect has to offer" [31].

Verified association clients using SmarterSelect include AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) [32], NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association) [33], and numerous community foundations, educational institutions, and professional associations across education, healthcare, and government sectors.

Important context on peer reviews: Review platforms reflect experiences at specific points in time, and software capabilities evolve continuously. Concerns noted in reviews may have been addressed in subsequent releases. Additionally, user satisfaction often correlates with proper implementation and alignment between organizational needs and platform capabilities. For guidance on interpreting software reviews effectively, visit here. [34].

SmartThoughts Expert Analysis and Reasoning

SmarterSelect occupies a valuable position in the association technology ecosystem as an accessible, cost-effective grant management solution that addresses genuine gaps in typical AMS functionality. The platform's core strength lies in delivering professional grant administration capabilities to associations without enterprise-level budgets or technical resources—a significant differentiator from more complex competitors like SmartSimple or higher-priced options like Submittable.

Strategic fit considerations:

For associations where scholarships, grants, or awards represent meaningful mission activities—distributing $250,000+ annually or managing programs with evaluation complexity beyond basic AMS forms—SmarterSelect delivers ROI through operational efficiency, professional applicant experiences, and defensible evaluation processes. The platform particularly excels for associations with 3-15 distinct programs (research grants, student scholarships, community awards) where unlimited program pricing eliminates per-program fees that quickly escalate costs with competitors.

The decision threshold typically manifests through operational pain points: reviewers tracking evaluations in spreadsheets, frequent applicant questions about status, difficulty generating board reports, or staff spending excessive time on administrative coordination rather than program strategy. These symptoms indicate readiness for specialized software investment beyond AMS capabilities.

Comparative positioning:

Against Submittable, SmarterSelect trades some sophisticated workflow capabilities and impact measurement tools for significantly lower cost and simpler administration. Associations with straightforward to moderately complex programs benefit from SmarterSelect's approach, while those managing highly diverse, multi-stage grant portfolios with extensive reporting requirements might find Submittable's additional capabilities justify higher investment.

Against SmartSimple, SmarterSelect prioritizes accessibility over enterprise-grade configurability. Associations without dedicated IT resources or technical staff benefit from SmarterSelect's intuitive interface and rapid deployment, while those managing exceptionally complex programs requiring deep customization might need SmartSimple's power despite implementation complexity.

The choice ultimately hinges on organizational maturity, technical capacity, budget constraints, and program sophistication rather than one platform being objectively superior across all dimensions.

Implementation and partnership considerations:

SmarterSelect's strong customer support ratings and rapid deployment timelines suggest lower implementation risk compared to more complex enterprise platforms. The 24-hour setup claim, while optimistic for complex programs, reflects the platform's accessible design philosophy. However, success still requires thoughtful workflow planning—technology alone cannot fix poorly defined grant processes. Associations should invest time documenting current workflows, identifying pain points, and designing improved processes before configuration begins.

Leadership stability appears solid with consistent executive team tenure and steady product development, indicating reliable partnership potential. The company's self-funded, profitable status provides independence from venture capital pressures that sometimes drive competitors toward feature bloat or pricing inflation. The broad customer base across education, healthcare, professional associations, and foundations suggests platform maturity and market validation.

Product development considerations:

The absence of publicly announced AI capabilities represents a noteworthy distinction from competitors. While SmartSimple and Submittable actively market AI-powered features like intelligent application screening and automated categorization,

SmarterSelect has not made similar announcements. This may reflect either a strategic choice to focus resources elsewhere or a lag in AI adoption. Associations prioritizing cutting-edge AI capabilities should inquire directly about product roadmap plans during evaluation.

Recent enhancements like the Program Copy feature and improved applicant portal demonstrate continued platform investment in user experience and administrative efficiency. The SendGrant integration for payment processing reflects attention to complete lifecycle management, closing the loop from application to fund distribution.

Risk factors to consider:

Export and reporting limitations noted by some reviewers warrant due diligence during evaluation, particularly for associations requiring complex board reports or detailed demographic analysis. Requesting a demonstration of specific reporting needs during vendor demos helps validate fit before commitment.

Integration depth with specialized AMS platforms varies. While single sign-on exists for major systems, associations using niche AMS platforms should verify integration capabilities early in evaluation. API access provides flexibility for custom integration development if needed, though this requires technical resources that most associations lack.

The platform's English-only language support may limit usability for associations serving multilingual communities. Spanish language support, for example, requires upgrading to higher-priced tiers—a consideration for international associations with diverse member populations.

SmartThoughts Final Conclusion

For association executives managing meaningful scholarship or grant programs, SmarterSelect represents a proven, cost-effective solution that professionalizes grant administration without requiring enterprise-level investment or technical expertise. The platform delivers professional applicant experiences, streamlined evaluation workflows, and operational efficiency that justifies moving beyond basic AMS functionality.

The decision to invest in specialized grant management software reflects strategic priorities:

Is grant-making central to your mission?
Does current administration create operational risk or inefficiency?
Can you quantify the value of improved processes through staff time savings, enhanced board confidence, or reputation benefits from professional applicant experiences?

For most associations distributing $250,000-$2 million annually across multiple programs with limited IT resources and budget constraints, SmarterSelect's combination of accessible design, unlimited program pricing, and responsive support creates compelling value. Associations with exceptionally complex workflows, extensive technical resources, or a willingness to invest significantly more might find competitors like Submittable or SmartSimple better aligned with advanced needs—but for the broad middle market of professional associations, SmarterSelect delivers the capabilities most organizations actually need rather than enterprise features few fully utilize.

If you're a verified association executive (not working with a consultant) seeking objective guidance on whether SmarterSelect fits your organization's specific needs, SmartThoughts offers complimentary evaluation consultations to help you make informed technology decisions aligned with your mission and budget realities.

For additional software reviews and technology guidance for association executives, visit: https://www.smartthoughts.net/association-software-comparison-resources/association-software-reviews [35].