Frequently Asked Questions - Program Automations

The ability to deactivate a Program Automation is not currently available. However, they can be archived if you no longer want to make them available for program routing. They can then be unarchived if you want to make them available at a later date. Learn more.

No, they are designed for grant programs only and have no impact on invitations.

No, GrantsConnect does not currently allow you to create invitations for Program Automations. The Invitation feature is to be used for applying directly to a program rather than going through the automation process.

The option that is chosen in the Program Automation Builder > Details > Applicant Type field will impact which programs are available when building Routes.

You will select either Nonprofit organizations or Individual applicants as those who will be applying to a program through the automation process. These options correspond with the value you selected for Program Details > Settings > Recipient when first creating the programs themselves.

Yes, applicants can still apply directly to a specific program if you provide them the URL or invite them.

Program Automations and Eligibility Forms are similar in that Applicants complete a form and their responses are evaluated against a set of default responses or rules.

They differ in that automation is performed on the system-level while eligibility is determined on the form-level. Matched responses for an automation will route an applicant to apply for any grant program defined in its rules while matched responses for eligibility will allow an applicant to apply to only the one grant program.

If an applicant is routed to a grant program that requires them to complete an Eligibility Form, then they will need to complete the form to determine their eligibility for the program. Program Automations do not allow them to bypass Eligibility Forms.

Grant Managers must take the steps below to utilize this feature.

1. Create a Routing Form.

2. Define the Routes and routing rules for each program that will be used to evaluate the applicant's responses to the form.

3. Determine how you will handle applicants that do not match your defined programs - Will they be sent to a fallback program? Will you display a custom message instead?

4. Publish and share the link to the automation with applicants.

Note: For complete instructions, see the Add New Program Automations resource.

The following fields are available for use in Program Automations routing rules.

Tip: The BBGF eligible field in the Organization bucket can be used to route applicants to specific programs based on their organization’s Blackbaud Giving Fund (BBGF) eligibility.

The ability to deactivate a Route is not currently available. If you no longer want to use a Route within an automation, it should be deleted.