SmartSimple is a powerful platform. It helps teams run grants, programs, reviews, reports, and more. But it is not the only clever kid in the classroom. Some teams want something faster to set up. Others want simpler forms, better dashboards, or a smaller price tag.
TLDR: If SmartSimple feels too complex, there are many strong alternatives. Submittable is great for easy applications. Foundant is popular with foundations. Fluxx is strong for large grantmakers. For example, a nonprofit team handling 500 applications per year might cut admin time by 25% to 35% by moving to a tool with simpler workflows and faster reviewer setup.
Why Look for a SmartSimple Alternative?
SmartSimple can do a lot. That is good. It can also feel like flying a spaceship when all you need is a bike with a basket.
Teams often look for alternatives because they want:
- Faster setup with less training.
- Cleaner forms for applicants.
- Better review tools for panels and committees.
- Simpler reporting for boards and funders.
- Lower cost or clearer pricing.
- Friendly support when things get messy.
Now let’s meet the seven tools that may fit your grant and program management needs.
1. Submittable
Best for: Simple grant cycles, applications, reviews, and community programs.
Submittable is known for being easy. Applicants can submit forms without feeling lost. Reviewers can score entries with less hand-holding. Admins can build workflows without needing a degree in software magic.
It works well for grants, scholarships, awards, creative programs, and nonprofit funding rounds. It also supports impact reporting and payments in some plans.
Why teams like it:
- Clean application forms.
- Simple reviewer assignments.
- Good communication tools.
- Easy status tracking.
Watch out: Very complex grant programs may need more custom setup than expected.
2. Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager
Best for: Community foundations, private foundations, and grantmakers.
Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager, often called GLM, is a favorite in the foundation world. It helps manage the full grant process. That means applications, evaluations, decisions, agreements, follow-ups, and reports.
The platform feels built for grantmakers who want structure. It is not trying to be everything for everyone. That focus is its charm.
Why teams like it:
- Strong grant lifecycle tools.
- Helpful support team.
- Good applicant portal.
- Useful reporting for boards.
Watch out: It may feel less flexible for programs outside traditional grantmaking.
3. Fluxx
Best for: Large foundations and grant teams with complex processes.
Fluxx is a serious tool for serious grantmaking. It is used by many large foundations. It handles complex workflows, deep reporting, and lots of grants at once.
If your team has many departments, several funding streams, and complicated approval paths, Fluxx may be a strong fit. It is built to organize chaos. Think of it as a traffic controller for grant money.
Why teams like it:
- Powerful workflow management.
- Strong data and reporting options.
- Good tools for large teams.
- Flexible grant tracking.
Watch out: Smaller teams may find it more platform than they need.
4. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud for Grantmaking
Best for: Organizations already using Salesforce.
Salesforce can be a big win if your team already lives inside its ecosystem. Nonprofit Cloud for Grantmaking helps manage funding programs, applicants, reviews, payments, and outcomes.
The big benefit is connection. Donor data, program data, cases, contacts, and grants can live in one place. That can make reporting much easier.
Why teams like it:
- Strong customization.
- Great ecosystem of apps and partners.
- Deep reporting options.
- Good fit for enterprise teams.
Watch out: Setup can be complex. You may need a Salesforce expert. Maybe two. Maybe one with snacks.
5. Blackbaud Grantmaking
Best for: Established funders and organizations already using Blackbaud products.
Blackbaud Grantmaking is designed for foundations and grantmaking organizations. It helps manage proposals, contacts, budgets, outcomes, and compliance.
It can be a good choice for teams that want a mature system. It also makes sense if your organization already uses other Blackbaud tools for fundraising, finance, or nonprofit management.
Why teams like it:
- Solid grant tracking.
- Good funder-focused features.
- Reliable reporting tools.
- Works well in the Blackbaud family.
Watch out: Some users may find the interface less modern than newer tools.
6. SurveyMonkey Apply
Best for: Applications, scholarships, fellowships, and review programs.
SurveyMonkey Apply is made for collecting and reviewing applications. It is often used for scholarships, grants, awards, and academic programs.
It shines when your process has clear stages. Applicants submit. Reviewers score. Admins decide. Winners celebrate. Everyone gets less email clutter. Beautiful.
Why teams like it:
- Easy application building.
- Good reviewer tools.
- Useful automation.
- Friendly experience for applicants.
Watch out: It may not be the best fit for deep post-award grant management.
7. WizeHive Zengine
Best for: Custom grant programs and complex application workflows.
Zengine by WizeHive is flexible. It can support grants, scholarships, fellowships, accelerators, and many other programs. If your process is not “normal,” this tool may be worth a look.
It lets teams build custom portals, forms, review flows, and dashboards. This makes it useful for organizations with special rules, many program types, or unusual data needs.
Why teams like it:
- Highly customizable workflows.
- Strong application management.
- Good for multiple program types.
- Helpful for data-heavy teams.
Watch out: More flexibility can mean more setup time.
How to Pick the Right Tool
Do not start with features. Start with pain. Ask your team what hurts most.
- If applicants get confused, choose a tool with simple forms.
- If reviewers complain, choose better review workflows.
- If reports take forever, focus on dashboards and exports.
- If your process changes often, choose flexibility.
- If your team is small, choose ease of use.
Also ask for a demo using your real process. Do not accept a perfect fantasy demo. Use your actual forms, stages, emails, and reports. That is where the truth comes out.
Quick Match Guide
- Submittable: Best for simple and modern application management.
- Foundant GLM: Best for foundations that want grant lifecycle tools.
- Fluxx: Best for large and complex grantmaking teams.
- Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud: Best for Salesforce-heavy organizations.
- Blackbaud Grantmaking: Best for established funders in the Blackbaud ecosystem.
- SurveyMonkey Apply: Best for scholarships, awards, and review programs.
- WizeHive Zengine: Best for custom and unusual program workflows.
Final Thoughts
SmartSimple is powerful. But power is not always the answer. Sometimes the best tool is the one your team will actually use without sighing loudly.
If you want simple setup, look at Submittable or SurveyMonkey Apply. If you run a foundation, check Foundant, Fluxx, or Blackbaud Grantmaking. If you need deep customization, explore Salesforce or WizeHive Zengine.
The right platform should save time. It should reduce confusion. It should make your applicants feel welcome. And yes, it should make reporting day much less scary.
