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GivingData

Reviews of GivingData

4.7 (11)
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Pros

  • My overall experience has been great. Everyone I talk to is professional, yet I feel like they are my friend.

  • My overall experience with GivingData has been excellent. In particular, the customer services team is extremely responsive and I appreciate the robust user community they are cultivating.

Cons

  • Less form functionality than some other products. Knowledge Base documentation missing information on may features, elements, uses, etc.

  • The process of building individual merge field-based templates is time consuming and they lack some materials that a more established system may offer.

Showing Most Helpful

Showing 11 of 11 reviews

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Allison G. avatar
Allison G.
Director, Grants and Knowledge Management
Philanthropy, 51-200 employees
Used the software for: 2+ years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
February 15, 2018

"Excellent Grants Management Features and Strong Implementation"

Overall: GivingData has become a trusted source of grant information in departments across the Foundation. We've replaced countless shadow spreadsheets, streamlined meeting materials, and cut down on all the data discrepancies those shadow spreadsheets create. We've moved our application process online and begun to expand grant monitoring for learning purposes (less emphasis on the "audit" role of reporting). We've also connected systems through APIs with both our website (to report grant data seamlessly) and Salesforce, which has bridged disparate data sets. We are currently in the process of sunsetting another stand-alone database; work that would not have been possible prior to our migration to GivingData. Finally, we benefit from the implementation, project management, and general philanthropic expertise of the GivingData staff. More than functionality, large scale data migrations and databases require adept change management skills. GivingData staff have them, and also help structure projects and engagements so that foundation staff can build or improve their own change management skills. We've continued to feel that support two years after our initial migration. Their annual client convening also offers incredible professional development opportunities beyond "how to use GivingData." The company seeks to help clients think about ways to further leverage the software in their work, but also how to learn skills that their daily jobs might not build. This probably sounds overly positive, but truly our experience has been so positive.

Pros: GivingData is an intuitive software at all user levels. For casual users (e.g. President or VP of Grant Programs), the dashboards provide a quick and easy-to-read overview of progress towards the key performance indicators they are tracking. For program officers, GivingData has a strong scenario planning tool that helps them plan their work for the current and future years. For grants management staff and other power users, GivingData is fast, streamlined, and easy to configure to a particular workflow. Finally, the Learning (Measurement/Assessment) module leverages evaluation data that was previously decentralized and difficult to access, and allows us to view foundation-wide metrics for reporting to the board and other stakeholders.

Cons: The current iteration of contact management could use improvement (which I understand is under development). But this has similar functionality to all other grants management platforms, and dedicated CRMs like Salesforce. I just don't think anyone has yet cracked the code on CRM for grants management.

Peggy H.
Senior Grants Manager
Philanthropy, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 2+ years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"Highly Recommend GivingData"

Overall: Excellent. Shout out to Mya who is awesome!

Pros: It is easy to use and pretty intuitive to operate. I have trained a couple of colleagues on the software and it is very easy to learn.

Cons: Certain fields don't export which I don't understand. It seems like anything you put in, you should be able to get out. Also, I wish it was easier to edit the banking information.

Alternatives Considered: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, WizeHive and GrantHub
Reasons for Choosing GivingData: I was not here when this decision was made so cannot comment. I think it was more expensive than some but less than others and had the features we wanted. Also not geared to a niche industry like software for medical field grants only, etc.
RITT K.
Senior Grants Management Associate
Philanthropy, 11-50 employees
Used the software for: 2+ years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Likelihood to Recommend
7/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
June 25, 2024

"GivingData Review"

Overall: It has been fairly positive. I have been using it for 4 years and there have only been a few complaints/displeasures. But as it has developed over the years, the product is overall improving.

Pros: The workflows and ease of use. Also, support team is responsive and helpful.

Cons: Certain developmental decisions. Priorities of modules or builds.

Verified Reviewer
Director of Grants Management
Philanthropy, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 2+ years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"Giving Data - Great Value with Features, Support, and Partnership"

Overall: We transitioned to Giving Data's Grants Management System during COVID. Their team was invaluable in guiding the system design and implementation remotely. We have continued to explore the system's functionality as they add enhancements and new features.

Pros: Giving Data is very intuitive, which has enabled my team to get up to speed quickly. Their support team takes the time to work in partnership with us to resolve technical issues; Giving Data's employees are responsive and great to work with.

Cons: Because of the very unique processes and operations of each foundation, there are features offered in Giving Data which do not assist us in our work. However, given the many features that ARE essential and helpful for us, Giving Data provides a lot of bang for the buck!

Reasons for Choosing GivingData: More intuitive product, easier learning curve, less customization needed, better support.
Switched From: Blackbaud Grantmaking
Reasons for Switching to GivingData: Blackbaud GIFTS was unwieldy and expensive and Blackbaud was not responsive to our needs.
Sara R.
Grants and Operations Manager
Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 1-2 years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
4.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"GivingData Provides Extremely Responsive Services"

Overall: My overall experience with GivingData has been excellent. In particular, the customer services team is extremely responsive and I appreciate the robust user community they are cultivating.

Pros: Extremely responsive customer service. Cultivating active user group community.

Cons: Less form functionality than some other products. Knowledge Base documentation missing information on may features, elements, uses, etc. However, customer support always responsive to questions.

Switched From: Blackbaud Grantmaking
Reasons for Switching to GivingData: GIFTS was not an option, so I selected Blackbaud Grantmaking. But we were previously on GIFTS. I was not with the team when this switch was made, but I believe GIFTS was sunsetting.
Rikki A.
Manager, Public Benefit
Computer & Network Security, 51-200 employees
Used the software for: Less than 6 months
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
9/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
October 7, 2024

"Great fit for the Australian context"

Overall: Very helpful and efficient implementation experience. Understanding and supportive of our need to implement two grant programs in a short period of time as part of our implementation. Highly recommended to my Australian grant-making colleagues

Pros: User friendly, visually accessible and intuitive. Actually handy having staff in a different time zone as queries could be responded to 'overnight' ready for us the next day.

Cons: There was little that I did not like. Generally any issues we had could be talked through with [sensitive content hidden] and a solution found.

Alternatives Considered: Grant Lifecycle Manager
Reasons for Choosing GivingData: Being used by respected Australian grant-making foundations
Switched From: WizeHive
Reasons for Switching to GivingData: clunky and not user-friendly. Not a good option for impact tracking
Kyle S.
Program Director
Philanthropy, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 2+ years
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"Reflections from a Grantmaking Foundation"

Overall: The staff at Giving Data are extremely responsive and attentive to trends in the ecosystem. Our Foundation made the switch to this platform around 2021 and our grantmaking experience is the better for it!

Pros: There is a strong user community which fosters organic community learning, while ensuring the swift delivery and applied innovation of the experts at Giving Data.

Cons: We value continued explorations into how the partner (grantee) experience, as well as high-level (executive director) foundation staff usage can continue to develop.

Pam B.
Grants Coordinator
Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 6-12 months
Overall Rating
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"One-Year mark"

Overall: I am coming up on my one-year mark. My overall experience has been great. Everyone I talk to is professional, yet I feel like they are my friend.

Pros: the flow is natural and makes it easier to learn. I also like the batch edit.

Cons: Trying to create a report to pull. Sometimes I put too many criteria that it does not work, others not enough. So, what is the happy medium?

Alternatives Considered: akoyaGO
Reasons for Choosing GivingData: All the program officers liked the CRM..
Reasons for Switching to GivingData: CG was pieced together and more for 0000
Majo P.
Regional Partnerships Director for Central and South America
Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
Used the software for: 6-12 months
Overall Rating
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Likelihood to Recommend
8/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
November 20, 2024

"User-Friendly Platform with room for practical enhancements "

Overall: My overall experience is very good. However, the areas mentioned above could be significantly improved.

Pros: GD is an intuitive and user-friendly platform. Its adaptability to the specific needs of an organization is a significant strength. I appreciate the ease of navigation and the thoughtfulness behind its design, which facilitates smooth day-to-day operations.

Cons: Currently, the process for uploading pictures could be streamlined or made more robust, as it feels somewhat limited. Additionally, incorporating features like reminders for payments or important dates would be a valuable addition, helping organizations stay on top of critical deadlines.

Verified Reviewer
Critical Thinking Coach
Education Management, 11-50 employees
Used the software for: 6-12 months
Overall Rating
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
February 15, 2018

"I haven't been in the industry very long but feel that I have a strong command of the software"

Overall: Given the product is used by various organizations, the out of the box product does require some customization depending on use.

Pros: The software is very intuitive. GD responds quickly to suggestions and implements less complicated fixes very quickly.

Meridian N.
Director
Philanthropy, 11-50 employees
Used the software for: 6-12 months
Overall Rating
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Customer Service
5.0
Features
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Likelihood to Recommend
10/10
Reviewer Source
Source: Capterra
August 22, 2017

"Leadership engenders confidence, the product offers great interface and technology; and it works!"

Pros: I highly value GivingData because of their deep commitment to providing a modern platform making it easier for grantmaking entities to achieve their mission. They honestly and earnestly work with clients, greeting challenges as an opportunity to further their offerings. Selection and implementation of a grant management system is stressful and fraught with pitfalls. The GivingData team helped soften the inevitable stress by providing solutions efficiently. Through the use of agile methodology, they delivered (mostly) on time and budget. Overall it was a fairly smooth implementation from data/document migration (out of GIFTS Classic) to training new users. The product is very easy to learn and intuitive to use with a clean interface. Core components are in place with enhancements and new functionality being released all the time. Overall the functionality is reliable and the few occasions it has not been they have been responsive. The tax verification, document management and budget forecasting functionality match or beat its competitors. I love that they already have a track record of moving data across platforms. We have received positive feedback and solid adoption from staff at all levels from programs to grants to finance to leadership. Their non-technical staff has experience working in a wide range of foundations and bring that understanding to bear when helping on an implementation or when building functionality.

Cons: The contact management functionality is a little underdeveloped and has a 2018 target for improvement. The process of building individual merge field-based templates is time consuming and they lack some materials that a more established system may offer. There is still room to improve some of their data visualization offerings, ability to save/share/customize how query results are displayed, and batch processing. Admin tool is being updated regularly and it is still a few versions away from where we need it to be. What works is good but it is not all there yet.