Fashionable APIs are the key behind most of the conveniences we get pleasure from at the moment, from getting climate updates on our telephones to ordering meals on-line.
They’re additionally a strong instrument for grantmakers who wish to shortly and simply tailor their grantmaking system to streamline their processes, save time and assets, and scale with their wants. On this weblog publish, we’ll clarify what fashionable APIs are, how they work, and the way they may also help you enhance your grantmaking.
What’s a Fashionable API?
An API, or utility programming interface, is a algorithm that outline how two items of software program can talk with one another. It’s a technical handshake that enables one system to request pre-determined information from one other system and get a response in a standardized format. For instance, while you use Google Maps to search out instructions, you’re utilizing an API that connects your browser to Google’s database of maps, places, and site visitors info.
APIs have been round for a very long time, however they’ve developed considerably over time. Fashionable APIs are based mostly on net requirements and protocols, corresponding to HTTP and JSON, that make them simple to make use of, safe, and interoperable. They’ll deal with advanced queries, giant quantities of information, and real-time updates. Additionally they comply with greatest practices of RESTful design, which suggests they’re organized round assets, use constant strategies, and have self-descriptive endpoints. This makes it simpler for low-code and no-code builders to know and use the API while not having in depth documentation.
Many platforms you already use in your grantmaking processes have fashionable APIs in-built, corresponding to your grant administration resolution that surfaces due diligence information from third-party sources inside your GMS. By utilizing these methods that present fashionable APIs, you possibly can entry and trade information throughout totally different purposes, with out having to fret about compatibility, codecs, or variations.
How Do APIs Assist Grantmaking Organizations?
By utilizing software program with fashionable API endpoints, you possibly can tailor your system to reinforce your grantmaking processes and outcomes. As an alternative of counting on a single system that does all the things okay however nothing properly, you possibly can select the most effective options for every operate and join them seamlessly by APIs.
Listed here are a number of the advantages of utilizing fashionable APIs for grantmaking.
Get information sooner
With APIs, you will get information from exterior sources, corresponding to Candid’s database of nonprofits and foundations, into your system with a couple of clicks. You don’t must obtain information, add them to your system, or manually enter information. You can even get information out of your system to different platforms, with out having to export or e-mail information. These integrations assist guarantee sturdy information administration and inner controls.
Enhance information accuracy
The automated switch of information with APIs reduces the danger of human error, duplication, or inconsistency in your information. You may be certain that the info you get from or ship to different methods is correct, full, and updated. You can even validate and confirm information, corresponding to group names, addresses, or tax IDs, utilizing APIs that hook up with authoritative sources.
Analyze Extra Information
With APIs, you possibly can entry and combination information from a number of sources and analyze it in actual time. You should utilize APIs to create dashboards, reviews, and charts that present your grantmaking efficiency, influence, and traits. You can even use APIs to automate workflows, corresponding to sending notifications, reminders, or approvals, based mostly on information triggers or occasions.
Streamline processes
Working with different methods which have fashionable APIs, you possibly can simplify and standardize your grantmaking processes and make them extra environment friendly and user-friendly. You should utilize APIs to combine with different instruments, corresponding to e-mail, calendars, or messaging, that may enable you to talk and collaborate together with your group, companions, or stakeholders.
Examples of APIs in Grantmaking
Many philanthropic organizations are already utilizing fashionable APIs to get information sooner and simplify their grantmaking processes. Listed here are some examples of how APIs can be utilized in grantmaking.
- Grantee Analysis: Candid is a number one supply of data and information on nonprofits and foundations. They provide a spread of APIs that may enable you to discover and analysis potential grantees, observe grants and outcomes, and robotically monitor information and workers modifications in your information. For instance, you should utilize the GuideStar API to get detailed profiles of over 13 million nonprofits, together with their mission, packages, funds, and influence. Some grant administration methods present these APIs natively within the software program, pulling the info with none work in your half.
In case your group re-grants funding, you may also use Candid’s Funding APIs to get complete information on over 235,000 foundations, together with their grants, property, and giving priorities.
- Information Visualization Instruments: Your grant administration resolution gives a wide range of reviews and dashboards, however while you wish to compile your grantmaking information with different sources, it helps to make use of an API to plug into an exterior information visualization instrument. For instance, you would layer neighborhood demographic information over your influence information. These visualization instruments can even make it simple to embed your charts and graphs into different purposes, corresponding to web sites, portals, or shows, and share them together with your stakeholders.
- Grantmaking and fund accounting: Grantmaking and fund accounting are two important capabilities of any grantmaking group, however they usually contain totally different methods and processes. You should utilize APIs to attach your grantmaking system together with your fund accounting system and be certain that your monetary information is constant and correct throughout each platforms.
Create a Versatile Grantmaking Ecosystem with Blackbaud Grantmaking
At Blackbaud, we perceive the worth of contemporary APIs for grantmaking organizations. That’s why we’re dedicated to updating and enhancing our API endpoints and making them extra accessible and user-friendly for our prospects. We wish to enable you to create a versatile grantmaking ecosystem that may meet your particular wants and help your mission and influence.
If you wish to study extra about how Blackbaud Grantmaking can function the hub in your strong and versatile grantmaking group, schedule a demo at the moment. Try our up to date API documentation to see how one can enhance information accuracy, analyze information sooner, and streamline your processes.
