SmartSimple Software Review for Association Executives
- Nov 13
- 8 min read
Comprehensive Grants Management Platform
Foundation and corporate grantmaking associations face a critical challenge: How do you efficiently manage complex grants lifecycles when your Association Management System wasn't designed for sophisticated funding operations? SmartSimple Cloud offers a specialized solution that transforms how associations administer grants, scholarships, research funding, and corporate social responsibility programs—filling a significant capability gap that most AMS platforms cannot address.
What Category is SmartSimple Software Found In?
SmartSimple Cloud operates in the Grants Management Software (GMS) category, also known as grants administration or grantmaking software. This specialized category encompasses platforms designed specifically to manage the complete grants lifecycle—from program setup and application intake through review processes, award management, compliance tracking, and impact reporting.
While some Association Management Systems include basic grant tracking features, dedicated grants management software like SmartSimple provides the sophisticated workflow automation, reviewer management, budget tracking, and compliance capabilities that foundations and grantmaking organizations require to operate efficiently.
Summary of the SmartSimple Grants Software
SmartSimple Software, founded in 2002 at the University of Toronto by Michael Reid and Keith Yau [1], has evolved into a global leader in cloud-based grants management solutions. According to LinkedIn, the company employs between 51-200 people and maintains its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario [2]. In August 2024, SmartSimple merged with Foundant Technologies to create what they describe as "the leading global software partner for grants management" [3]. As Mike Reid, co-founder and COO, states: "With the Impact Genome integration, we are now better able to help our grantmaking clients adopt more equitable practices and significantly elevate their social impact reporting" [4]. The platform currently serves over 450 clients, including prominent foundations, Fortune 500 companies, and government funders, connecting 1.8 million end-users to over $8 billion in critical grants annually [5].
The Purpose Statement of SmartSimple Grant Software
SmartSimple's mission centers on supporting organizations to "do what they do—even better" [6]. The company's core purpose is to provide the most advanced technologies available while embracing the opportunity to push the limits on some of the most complex process challenges facing businesses and global communities. Their vision is to be the #1 process solutions expert in the world by putting clients first, delivering uniquely configurable solutions personalized to client needs, and leading with an exceptional commitment to security and compliance [6]. For grantmaking specifically, SmartSimple aims to create greater efficiencies in funding processes while enriching the impact story for funders and their communities.
What Makes SmartSimple a Fit for the Association Market?
SmartSimple addresses a critical need for associations involved in grantmaking, scholarship administration, or corporate social responsibility programs. Most associations operating with traditional AMS platforms discover that basic grant tracking features cannot handle the complexity of modern philanthropy. Here's why SmartSimple fills this gap: The platform's exceptional configurability allows associations to customize every aspect of their grantmaking process without writing code, meaning organizations can adapt workflows to match their unique mission requirements rather than forcing their processes into rigid software templates. For associations managing multiple grant programs simultaneously—such as professional development scholarships, research grants, and community impact funding—
SmartSimple's modular architecture enables distinct workflows while maintaining centralized reporting. The software's sophisticated reviewer management capabilities, including conflict-of-interest screening and attribute matching, prove essential for associations conducting peer review processes that demand transparency and credibility. Additionally, SmartSimple's integration with the Impact Genome Project provides standardized impact data on over two million nonprofits, helping association executives demonstrate measurable outcomes to boards and stakeholders [4].
What Are the Functional Goals of SmartSimple Cloud Software?
SmartSimple Cloud encompasses comprehensive functional areas designed for complete grants lifecycle management:
Program and Call Setup enables associations to configure multiple grant programs with complex criteria, multi-stage applications, and multi-year funding schedules. Application Intake and Management provides eligibility screening, OFAC compliance checking, automated workflows, and self-service applicant portals.
Review and Evaluation includes reviewer assignment, conflict-of-interest management, scoring methodologies, side-by-side application comparison, and collaborative review tools.
Award Management handles budget allocation, fund tracking, automated agreement generation, and payment processing.
Post-Award Monitoring facilitates progress reporting, milestone tracking, outcome measurement, and compliance verification.
Impact Measurement and Reporting offers customizable dashboards, real-time analytics, geographic visualization through interactive maps, and alignment with frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
CRM and Relationship Management maintain comprehensive contact profiles, communication history, and stakeholder engagement tracking.
Meeting Management simplifies board meetings and grant review committees with agenda generation, document management, and minute recording.
Where Does SmartSimple Fit in the Association Technology Ecosystem?
SmartSimple functions as a specialized "best-of-breed" solution that complements rather than replaces an Association Management System. Think of it this way: Your AMS is like your organization's central nervous system, managing member records, dues, events, and basic operations. SmartSimple operates as a specialized organ—specifically designed for the complex circulatory system of moving funds from your foundation to grant recipients.
Most AMS platforms, particularly those in the Tier 3 category [7], offer none to limited grant functionality that may track basic awards but lack sophisticated workflow automation, reviewer management, compliance tools, and impact measurement capabilities that true grantmaking requires.
Even Tier 1 and Tier 2 AMS platforms typically provide only fundamental grant tracking rather than the comprehensive lifecycle management foundations needed. SmartSimple integrates with existing AMS systems and CRMs (including Salesforce, Blackbaud, and others) through APIs and pre-built connectors, allowing contact data to flow between systems while maintaining SmartSimple as the authoritative source for all grantmaking activities. This integration strategy makes sense for associations where grantmaking represents a significant operational focus but isn't the sole function of the organization.
Who Are Some Likely Competitors in the Association Market?
SmartSimple competes in a growing grants management software market.
Fluxx Grantmaker offers strong collaborative features and customizable dashboards with good real-time data visualization, though some users report it requires more technical expertise for workflow creation and has a steeper learning curve than advertised [8].
Blackbaud Grantmaking provides comprehensive lifecycle management with strong analytics and deep integration across Blackbaud's ecosystem, but pricing averages $325/month and some users find the interface less intuitive than competitors [9].
Submittable excels in ease of use with fast implementation and strong fraud prevention capabilities, featuring a fully mobile-responsive design and excellent user experience, though it may offer fewer advanced configuration options than SmartSimple for highly complex workflows [10].
Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager (now merged with SmartSimple's parent company) focuses on mid-sized foundations with predetermined workflows that can be toggled on and off, providing excellent customer support but potentially less flexibility for organizations with unique processes [11]. Each platform brings distinct strengths, making vendor selection dependent on organizational complexity, technical resources, and specific workflow requirements.
What Does the Product Roadmap Look Like?
SmartSimple demonstrates consistent innovation with regular quarterly upgrades. In April 2025, the company published a refresher on SmartSimple Cloud +AI, marking two years since introducing AI-powered features to their platform [12]. Current AI capabilities include instant application summaries that condense grant details into concise formats, enabling faster review, AI-assisted application screening for preliminary evaluation, intelligent QuickTag features for automated categorization, and an interactive mode providing personalized recommendations within specific tasks.
The platform recently upgraded its rich text editor for enhanced security, introduced threaded notes with searchable functionality and user tagging for improved collaboration, revamped interaction tracking with visual timelines, implemented dynamic chart filtering in dashboards, and added simplified reminder email setup for applicant engagement [13]. The 2024 merger with Foundant Technologies signals continued investment in AI advancement, with both platforms evolving their AI-driven solutions to streamline grantmaking processes.
The company maintains an "Idea Lab" where users can submit, vote on, and discuss enhancement suggestions, demonstrating a customer-driven development approach [14].
What is the Price of SmartSimple Software?
SmartSimple uses a customized pricing model tailored to organizational size and requirements. According to third-party reviews, pricing starts at approximately $500/month or $6,000 annually for small foundations [15, 16].
The company's pricing website indicates they employ "fair, flexible, and usage-based software-as-a-service pricing" but requires direct contact for specific quotes [17]. Industry analysis from 2016 indicated costs ranging from $17,000-$25,000 for first-year implementation for small grantmakers with $7,500-$12,000 ongoing annual costs, while large foundations could expect $25,000-$100,000 first-year costs with $12,000-$20,000 annual recurring fees [18].
These figures likely have increased given inflation and platform enhancements over nine years. Implementation costs vary significantly based on configuration complexity, data migration needs, and training requirements.
In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information.
What Do Peers Say About SmartSimple Software?
Peer reviews reveal SmartSimple's strengths in configurability alongside challenges with complexity.
On Capterra, users praise the platform's flexibility: "SmartSimple is fully customizable and scalable to our grantmaking needs. As an organization that processes almost 2,000 grants a year, we needed a robust grants management system" [19].
A GetApp reviewer notes: "The ability to configure most or all of the features with very minimal code knowledge. The ability to deploy changes under tight timelines due to the ease of the configuration option is great" [20].
Software Advice reviews highlight client relationships: "The SmartSimple team promotes strong relationships with their clients. They are dedicated to continuing to improve and expand their software based on client feedback and needs, and to provide excellent support coverage" [21]. However, the complexity emerges as a common concern: "Creating workflows is complex. They are such a powerful tool but it is challenging to build them without support...Configuration can be intimidating since there are so many features available. It is important to have a system administrator who is comfortable with basic coding" [21].
Some reviewers report steep learning curves and the need for dedicated technical staff. Verified SmartSimple clients include The Coca-Cola Foundation, Special Olympics, Headwaters Foundation, Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, and Arts Midwest [22, 23].
Peer reviews change frequently and may no longer reflect current capabilities—issues mentioned may have been addressed in recent updates. For guidance on effectively using review sites, visit [24].
SmartThoughts Expert Analysis
SmartSimple Cloud represents a powerful solution for associations with significant grantmaking operations, but success depends heavily on organizational readiness and technical capacity.
The platform's greatest strength—its exceptional configurability—also presents its primary challenge: organizations need either in-house technical resources or a willingness to invest in SmartSimple's implementation and training services. For associations managing hundreds or thousands of grants annually across multiple programs with complex reviewer requirements and rigorous compliance needs, SmartSimple delivers capabilities that far exceed what any AMS can provide.
The 2024 merger with Foundant Technologies brings both opportunities and considerations. Positively, the combination creates a more robust company with expanded resources for product development and customer support. The leadership stability demonstrated by retaining existing executive teams and Mike Reid joining the Board of Directors suggests continuity rather than disruption [3]. However, associations should inquire about the long-term product roadmap and how SmartSimple and Foundant platforms will evolve together.
The platform's AI features position it well for future efficiency gains, though organizations should evaluate whether current AI capabilities deliver immediate value or represent emerging potential. SmartSimple makes the most sense for associations where grantmaking represents a core mission function rather than an occasional activity, where the benefits of sophisticated workflow automation, reviewer management, and impact measurement justify the investment in both licensing costs and technical implementation resources.
Final Thoughts & Conclusion
SmartSimple Cloud offers associations a specialized grants management capability that complements existing AMS platforms, filling a critical gap for organizations where philanthropy represents a significant operational focus. The platform's configurability, comprehensive lifecycle management, and commitment to innovation through AI-powered features position it as a serious consideration for associations with complex grantmaking requirements.
However, potential users should honestly assess their technical capacity and implementation support needs before committing. For Association Executives (not working with consultants) seeking an independent evaluation of whether SmartSimple fits your organization's needs, SmartThoughts offers a complimentary consultation to help you navigate this decision.
Or visit our comprehensive software reviews here to explore additional association technology solutions and schedule a conversation for personalized guidance on selecting the right grants management platform for your mission.
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