Configure Grant Program Settings

Use program settings to control eligibility, applicant behavior, collaboration, notifications, and portal visibility. These defaults are created with each program and can be adjusted at any time to match your process.

Note: Changes on Program Detail are saved automatically.

  1. From Applications, go to Program.

  2. Select New to create a program, or open a program menu and select Edit program.

  3. On the program record, select the Settings tab.

Recipient

Select who receives and benefits from awarded funds: An individual applicant or An organization. This selection controls who can apply and also affects program availability in program automations based on applicant type.

Note: When you select An organization, applicant organization search uses the Blackbaud Verified Network directory.

Organization Options

Use organization options to define what applicants can do if their organization is not found in search results.

  • Enable Allow applicants to add organizations not found in the database to let applicants create private organizations.

  • Enable Require applicants to enter organization information to bypass directory search and require manual entry.

  • Enable Make government tax ID optional when adding private organizations when tax ID should not be mandatory for private organization entry.

Note: Private organizations added by applicants are not published to the Blackbaud Verified Network and do not receive vetting messages.

Warning: If the tax ID option is not visible, confirm Recipient is organization-based and that Allow applicants to add organizations not found in the database is selected.

Tip: For external organization profile management, start with NPOConnect Help or go directly to NPOConnect.

Organization Locations

Limit eligibility by country or region so only organizations in approved locations appear in applicant search.

Note: All locations are allowed by default.

Eligibility of Recurring Applications

For organization-based recipients, define how often an organization can apply.

  • Allow multiple applications (default).

  • Limit to one application for this program.

  • Limit to one application per cycle.

  • Limit to one application in the current cycle if there was an approved and awarded application in the previous cycle.

If you choose a limit option, customize the applicant-facing message in Message to display... so applicants understand why they are ineligible.

Collaboration

Disable Allow Applicants to add additional Applicants to aid in completing forms to prevent collaborators from being added to applications.

Ability to Copy

Disable Allow applicants to copy applications if applicants should always start from a new submission.

Payment Status

Enable Hide payment status in Applicant Portal to hide award payment progress from applicants.

Tip: When payment status is hidden, use Alternate payment status text to display a short replacement message in the portal.

Invitations

Enable Invitation only when only invited applicants should be able to apply.

Program Emails

Use this section to align outgoing program communications with your branding and timing rules.

  • Enable Use program logo... to send emails with the program logo from the Details tab.

  • Update Sender display name to control the name shown in signatures and the email From field.

  • Set Draft application reminder timing so applicants are reminded before cycle close (default is 7 days).

  • Set Form due reminder timing for applicants and grant managers (default is 5 days).

Note: If Do not show cycle dates in the applicant portal is selected on Details, draft reminders are unavailable.

Team Deadlines

Create internal milestones from Add new deadlines to keep reviewers and administrators aligned during the program cycle.

Related Resources

When financial controls are enabled for your site, use Budget reservation guidance to understand how reserved funds interact with submitted applications. For decline logic based on available funding, review Decline based on funds.