Grant Management & Compliance
Software-independent guidance for managing grant finances, compliance, audits, risk, and subawards.
28 articles
How to Track Grant Award, Cash, Revenue, Expenses, and Remaining Balance
Separate award, pledged funding, cash receipts, recognized revenue, grant spend, and remaining balances so dashboards and funder reports answer the right question.
Cost Allocation Methods Explained
Understand different methods for allocating shared costs across multiple grants.
How to Allocate Expenses Across Multiple Grants
When one expense benefits multiple grants, how do you split it fairly and compliantly? This guide covers allocation methods and best practices.
Setting Up Indirect Cost Rates
Learn how to configure and apply indirect cost rates to your grants in GrantLink.
Funding Shares, Matching, and Cost Share Tracking for Grants
Understand funding shares, match, cost share, in-kind contributions, program income, and how to track them in GrantLink without rebuilding QuickBooks.
Grant Closeout Process: Complete Guide
Closing a grant properly is just as important as managing it. Learn the complete closeout process to stay compliant and maintain funder relationships.
Tracking Restricted vs Unrestricted Funds
Understand the difference between restricted and unrestricted funds and how to track them properly.
Understanding Net Assets Released from Restriction
Understand when donor restrictions are satisfied and how releases are presented as reclassifications between the two GAAP net-asset classes.
Preparing for Grant Audits
Grant audit preparation for nonprofits: how to get ready for single audits, funder reviews, and internal audit requests without rebuilding reports in spreadsheets.
Maintaining Audit-Ready Documentation
Learn best practices for organizing and maintaining documentation that's always ready for review.
Nonprofit Month-End Close Checklist
A comprehensive month-end close checklist designed for nonprofits managing grants, restricted funds, and funder reporting requirements.
Grant Compliance Checklist for Nonprofits
Stay compliant with your grants using this comprehensive checklist covering documentation, allowable costs, reporting, and federal requirements.
What is Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)? Complete Guide
MTDC is the most common base for calculating indirect costs on federal grants. Learn exactly what it includes, what's excluded, and how to calculate it.
Functional Expense Allocation Methods for Nonprofits
Functional expense allocation is required for nonprofit financial statements. Learn the methods and best practices for Program, M&G, and Fundraising allocation.
Time and Effort Reporting for Federal Grants
Understand the standards-based federal requirements for documenting compensation charged to awards without relying on obsolete universal forms or certification schedules.
Single Audit Requirements Explained (2026 Guide)
If your nonprofit spends $1,000,000 or more in federal awards, you need a Single Audit. Learn what that means and how to prepare.
Uniform Guidance 2024+ Update for Nonprofits
Key federal compliance threshold changes you should apply now: Single Audit, MTDC, and de minimis updates.
Grant Risk Assessment: Best Practices for Nonprofits
Master grant risk assessmentâidentifying potential issues before they become problems and developing strategies to protect your organization and funding.
Subaward Management and Monitoring for Nonprofits
Master subaward management as a pass-through entityâfrom subrecipient vs. contractor determination to monitoring, risk assessment, and federal compliance.
Free Grant Tracking Templates (Excel & Google Sheets)
Need to track grants but not ready for software? These free Excel and Google Sheets templates will help you get organized.
Do I Need Grant Management Software? Decision Guide
Spreadsheets, QuickBooks, or dedicated software? This guide helps you decide what's right for your nonprofit's grant management needs.
Best Grant Management Software That Works With QuickBooks (2026)
Compare grant management software that works with QuickBooks Online for budget tracking, restricted funds, allocations, and funder reporting.
GrantHub Alternative for QuickBooks Users (2026)
With GrantHub sunsetting, QuickBooks users need alternatives for grant tracking. Compare your options and find the right fit for your nonprofit.
Federal Award Intake and Compliance Matrix for Nonprofits
Turn a Federal award package into assigned controls, deadlines, QuickBooks tracking, and durable evidence without confusing agency duties with recipient duties.
How to Prepare and Reconcile the SF-425 from QuickBooks Online
Prepare an SF-425 from QuickBooks Online with an award-specific mapping, cumulative rollforward, transaction-level tie-out, and reviewer-ready support package.
Federal Cash Management and Drawdown Controls in QuickBooks Online
Control federal advances, reimbursements, and drawdowns with an award-specific worksheet, QuickBooks tie-out, cash forecast, and four-way reconciliation.
Federal Budget Revisions and Prior Approval
Identify Federal award changes that need prior written approval, control budget versions, and recover when work or spending changes too soon.
Correcting Federal Grant Cost Transfers in QuickBooks Online
A practical, audit-ready workflow for correcting federal grant charges in QuickBooks Online without erasing the original transaction or overlooking reports, draws, payroll, fringe, and indirect costs.