How grant management software can make or break your career

Often when grant managers look to invest in new software for their programs, they think of the benefit to their programs. They don’t necessarily think about the impact on their personal careers. 

But they should. 

Because choosing the right tech can change the trajectory of a grant manager’s career, setting them up to get a promotion or land a new role. In fact, your grant management software (GMS) can make a huge difference in your professional path. Here are four real-world examples of people who’ve experienced this boost. 

Show your strategic chops 

Choosing a grant management software is a strategic decision that shows your leadership team how you assess a problem, find a clear solution, advocate for programs, and build partnerships. Getting it right proves that you deeply understand your program goals and can build the right system to achieve them. 

Across sectors, there’s an expectation that every employee should be well versed in tech now. Grant managers are no exception. 

Right now, new legislation and budget pressures are changing the whole grant landscape. Grantmakers need managers who know how to use technology to meet legislative, compliance and community needs. But they also need to trust that as things change, their grant manager can keep up. Prove that you can, and you show you’re ready to step into a leadership role.  

Example #1

One Submittable customer at a state agency led a relief program for small businesses. At the time of the program launch she was a policy lead in the department. She was promoted to a director role after flawlessly executing a brand-new grant program to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to thousands of constituents. 

Her team’s ability to automate reviews, streamline the application process, and deliver funds quickly were gamechangers. In the end she proved she could shoulder a big project and innovate in smart ways with the right GMS.  

Put your organization's values into action 

Grant management software is often the framework that allows organizations to put their values into action. Leaders want to know you can do more than just recite the organization’s mission; they want to see you know how to make it happen. Choosing the right GMS shows that you understand how to move from theory to practice. 

The right GMS helps you better support equity, build relationships, spur innovation, and move with urgency to show up for communities. When you understand how these values show up in the grantmaking process, leaders know they can trust you to do much more. 

Example #2

Jeff Howell has been with the United Way of the Greater Triangle for six years. He started as a program leader, worked his way up to chief program officer, and was recently named CEO. He credits Submittable for helping set him up for his current role. “If Submittable wasn't there to help me excel, I don't know if I'd be here!” he says. 

Jeff has been a big proponent of using Submittable over the years. It helps the United Way team show up for their community the way they want. A big part of their team’s ethos is treating the applicant experience as the foundation of a strong relationship. “I think from our perspective, the investment in something like Submittable is us investing in that first experience with United Way of the Greater Triangle,” Jeff says. 

Plus Submittable makes reporting straightforward and personal. Jeff’s team can easily collect info from partners to tell a clear story of impact. 

Prove and scale a new program 

The success of a new grant program often hinges on its infrastructure. Your GMS plays a huge role in solidifying that infrastructure. If your GMS falls short, it can imperil the whole program. But if your GMS is effective, new programs have a good chance of becoming permanent. 

As your projects prove successful, a solid GMS gives you the ability to scale easily. Maybe you expand the program to more communities or you launch similar grants. Your leadership team knows that you’re the person who can lead this effort. Essentially, you’re able to build your career path as the program grows.

Example #3

One Submittable customer—a large foundation—wanted to launch a new program focused on supporting big, innovative ideas. It started as a one-off project. But the program proved so successful and impactful, the foundation spun out a whole new entity to continue the work.

Beyond the software, Submittable became a true partner for the new organization. Submittable provided extensive project management support, the ability to run a complex review process, and a dedicated support team. 

With the Submittable team to lean on, three people from the team rose from associate levels into director and manager roles as the program expanded. Choosing the right GMS partner helped them align their own professional growth with the organization's evolution. “From my work with Submittable specifically, I have grown so much professionally,” one of them wrote.

Land a new role with confidence

Understanding how to effectively implement a great GMS into the grantmaking process gives you a leg up on landing a new role and helps you get started on the right foot once you’re in the door. 

Many organizations look to their grant managers to provide operational clarity about how to effectively run grant programs. Being able to point to experience with a great GMS and understanding the specifics of the tech helps you in the interview process. It also means you have a potential blueprint to implement once you start a new role. 

Example #4

A program coordinator who used Submittable in her job at a local arts school was able to use that experience to land a role with a national arts organization. 

But it wasn’t just about getting the job. Because she’d used Submittable in the past, she knew how well it worked. She immediately implemented it in her new position, helping the organization solve some of its most persistent grant management challenges, and setting herself up for career advancement in the future. 

“I find Submittable incredibly user friendly (for both admin and front end users) and value the workflow and reporting I can track all in one place!" she says. 

Your GMS is your advantage

Choosing the right GMS is not just about what fits your program at this moment. It’s about what can carry your grant program, your organization, and your career forward. 

If you’re curious about how Submittable can strengthen your program and your resume, take a minute to watch our on-demand demo. We’d love to be bragging about your new role next year.