Grants management software is an excellent tool nonprofit organizations can use to better track the funding they give to various groups. Without this kind of tool, foundations can make costly errors when distributing assets.
Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has come under scrutiny for incorrectly tracking the funds it has allocated to fusion centers across the country. The National Network of Fusion Centers was established in the wake of the attacks of September 11 as an effort to improve the ways federal, state, and local law enforcement units communicate with each other. As outlined by HSToday, there are currently 78 fusion centers operating across 49 U.S. states. They are critical to the country’s efforts to protect residents and must be able to accurately share information with all relevant parties.
While states operate and own their individual fusion centers, government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are responsible for funding, training, hiring personnel, and providing technical support. DHS also points out where there are capability gaps in operation. Being able to track how funding is spent and used is pertinent to the success of the institutions involved.
Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office found that both DHS and FEMA are having trouble maintaining accurate reports on where federal funding provided to states for their fusion centers is going.
Where is the fusion center money going?
According to Fierce Homeland Security, funding for fusion centers from FEMA is to be used specifically for six different purposes: administration and management, exercises, equipment, organization, training, and planning. However, the GAO’s most recent report, released on Nov. 6, stated that FEMA found that $60 million of the $124 million allocated in grants during 2012 was used incorrectly.
“FEMA’s inability to accurately account for these funds is unacceptable,” stated the Majority Staff Report in 2013. The report was compiled and released by House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman Peter King (R-NY).
GAO asked that FEMA look into implementing a new method for tracking grant funding and make sure each state utilizes its finances for the correct categories. For the fusion centers to perform their duties accurately and efficiently, funding needs to be used appropriately.
For large organizations such as FEMA that routinely award funding and fusion centers that rely heavily on financial assistance, grant management software is the first step in improving the process. Not only does a secure cloud-based system save time, energy, and money by removing the manual collection and filing of paper documents, it assists with audits to ensure funding arrives in the correct departments.
Once the funds have been delivered, a grant management platform like CommunityForce’s can enable foundations and guarantees to remain in contact.
Help your organization manage the end-to-end application life-cycle
Our program management feature gives you oversight on opportunities, allows you to create new applications, and is equipped with a search and filter functionality.
Preparing for a cycle roll-over is also made possible by this smart and intuitive software solution.
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Grants United is the leading cloud-based solutions provider with a robust user interface and end-to-end life cycle automation. Maximize your efficiency, simplify complex processes, and improve the way you collaborate with our grants management software.
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