Скачать или смотреть Modernization Spotlight: From Paperwork to Progress: Rethinking the Future of Grants

Managing grants efficiently has long been a challenge for both government and non-government organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges were magnified, exposing gaps in technology, data integration, and user experience across the grants ecosystem. In a recent conversation, Amy Fenstermacher, Global Grants Technology Leader at EY, discussed how EY developed and launched the Grants Accelerator (EY GA) to address these systemic issues and transform the way grants are managed and delivered.

Fenstermacher described EY GA as “a project of love” that emerged from the urgent need for better tools during COVID-19. Many grant-making agencies around the world struggled with outdated systems that hampered their ability to respond quickly during emergencies. EY partnered with Microsoft to design a solution that could be stood up rapidly in disaster or emergency situations while still offering flexibility for a wide range of funding mechanisms beyond traditional grants, including benefits programs and claims processes.

At its core, the accelerator offers a unified, secure, and flexible platform that supports every participant in the grants life cycle—from grant makers and auditors to applicants and end beneficiaries. This unified approach allows all stakeholders to interact within one system, enhancing the overall user experience and reducing the fragmentation that often plagues traditional systems.

One of the most significant benefits of the EY GA is its ability to integrate and unify data. Historically, grant programs operated in silos, making it difficult to track outcomes and assess real impact. Fenstermacher explained that pulling all the information into a single platform not only simplifies management but also enables agencies to leverage advanced tools like AI and automation. These technologies help synthesize information quickly, flag anomalies or misuse of funds, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately.

Beyond compliance, unifying data enables agencies to create cross-program insights. For example, insights from one grant program can inform and improve outcomes in another. This allows agencies to demonstrate not just outputs—such as meals served or services delivered—but also measurable improvements in community outcomes. Fenstermacher emphasized that this cross-pollination of data across programs could also extend to different agencies, such as FEMA and SBA, to create a more coordinated federal response in times of crisis.

Flexibility is another hallmark of the EY GA. Fenstermacher noted that while agencies are working to standardize data models for grants management across the federal ecosystem, every program has unique needs. EY GA provides a balance by maintaining a core set of data structures while allowing extensions for program-specific requirements. This prevents the “square peg, round hole” problem of trying to fit diverse grant processes into rigid systems.

Speed is also a driving force behind the accelerator. Fenstermacher acknowledged that in disaster response and other urgent scenarios, beneficiaries simply want to receive funds quickly. While simple solutions like forms can collect data, they fail to address the ongoing diligence required for compliance and accountability. EY GA streamlines these processes by using automation and AI to surface red flags early, reducing the burden of manual paperwork. “The grants universe is long, but it bends towards paperwork,” Fenstermacher quipped, highlighting the importance of reducing administrative tasks so staff can focus on solving problems.

In a major milestone, EY recently achieved FedRAMP approval for the Grants Accelerator. This means federal agencies now have authority to operate the system, enabling them to adopt it more quickly and benefit from a pre-approved security framework. For agencies, this represents an accelerator not just for managing grants but also for adopting modernized technology itself.

Fenstermacher concluded by underscoring the broader vision: improving the efficiency, accountability, and impact of grants across the board. Whether in disaster response or routine programs, EY GA empowers agencies to deliver funds faster, with more transparency, and with a clearer understanding of their community impact.