Online grantmaking enables timely funding to organizations in need - Cinergy Foundation
Cinergy Foundation manager Karol King knew she needed to improvise and be creative to address the mounting difficulties posed by cutbacks that resulted in her operating as a one-person "staff." As such, it was increasingly difficult to coordinate the growing number of grants between numerous locations, yet continue to be as effective as possible in their giving.

...it's possible to get an online submission at 2:00 p.m., and run the entire process through its course and have the check in the mail the very next day

The grant application process was the most time-consuming aspect of Cinergy Foundation's operations because it involved an abundance of manual, labor-intensive work that came in waves four times per year. To create greater efficiencies in their organization, the foundation transitioned to an online application process using MicroEdge's IGAM Internet Grant Application Module. Additionally, to improve workflow, they eliminated most of their deadlines, accepting grant applications on a rolling basis. With the new grants system, they have gained substantial efficiencies in their grant administration process - making it so smooth that a grant application is often handled the same day it is received.

Today the Cinergy Foundation receives more grant requests than ever, and whether it's a $25 or $25,000 request, it is still the same process. MicroEdge solutions have helped Karol to more efficiently manage and process this larger volume of grant requests with less staff. But one of the most rewarding aspects of their improved process has been Cinergy's ability to respond quickly to organizations when they are actively in need of funding.

"We always get compliments about how easy and efficient it is. And organizations love it because the turnaround time is phenomenal."