Fashionable APIs are the key behind most of the conveniences we get pleasure from right now, from getting climate updates on our telephones to ordering meals on-line.
They’re additionally a strong instrument for grantmakers who need to rapidly and simply tailor their grantmaking system to streamline their processes, save time and sources, and scale with their wants. On this weblog submit, we’ll clarify what fashionable APIs are, how they work, and the way they might 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 permits one system to request pre-determined knowledge from one other system and get a response in a standardized format. For instance, whenever you use Google Maps to search out instructions, you’re utilizing an API that connects your browser to Google’s database of maps, areas, and site visitors data.
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, resembling HTTP and JSON, that make them simple to make use of, safe, and interoperable. They’ll deal with complicated queries, giant quantities of knowledge, and real-time updates. Additionally they comply with greatest practices of RESTful design, which suggests they’re organized round sources, 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 with no need in depth documentation.
Many platforms you already use on your grantmaking processes have fashionable APIs inbuilt, resembling your grant administration answer that surfaces due diligence knowledge from third-party sources inside your GMS. Through the use of these methods that present fashionable APIs, you’ll be able to entry and change knowledge throughout completely different functions, with out having to fret about compatibility, codecs, or variations.
How Do APIs Assist Grantmaking Organizations?
Through the use of software program with fashionable API endpoints, you’ll be able to tailor your system to boost your grantmaking processes and outcomes. As a substitute of counting on a single system that does all the things okay however nothing properly, you’ll be able to select the very best options for every operate and join them seamlessly by APIs.
Listed here are a few of the advantages of utilizing fashionable APIs for grantmaking.
Get knowledge quicker
With APIs, you may get knowledge from exterior sources, resembling Candid’s database of nonprofits and foundations, into your system with a couple of clicks. You don’t must obtain recordsdata, add them to your system, or manually enter knowledge. You can too get knowledge out of your system to different platforms, with out having to export or electronic mail recordsdata. These integrations assist guarantee sturdy knowledge administration and inside controls.
Enhance knowledge accuracy
The automated switch of knowledge with APIs reduces the danger of human error, duplication, or inconsistency in your knowledge. You possibly can be sure that the information you get from or ship to different methods is correct, full, and updated. You can too validate and confirm knowledge, resembling group names, addresses, or tax IDs, utilizing APIs that connect with authoritative sources.
Analyze Extra Knowledge
With APIs, you’ll be able to entry and mixture knowledge from a number of sources and analyze it in actual time. You should use APIs to create dashboards, experiences, and charts that present your grantmaking efficiency, impression, and traits. You can too use APIs to automate workflows, resembling sending notifications, reminders, or approvals, based mostly on knowledge triggers or occasions.
Streamline processes
Working with different methods which have fashionable APIs, you’ll be able to simplify and standardize your grantmaking processes and make them extra environment friendly and user-friendly. You should use APIs to combine with different instruments, resembling electronic mail, calendars, or messaging, that may enable you 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 knowledge quicker 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 knowledge on nonprofits and foundations. They provide a spread of APIs that may enable you discover and analysis potential grantees, observe grants and outcomes, and robotically monitor information and employees modifications on 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 impression. Some grant administration methods present these APIs natively within the software program, pulling the information with none work in your half.
In case your group re-grants funding, it’s also possible to use Candid’s Funding APIs to get complete knowledge on over 235,000 foundations, together with their grants, belongings, and giving priorities.
- Knowledge Visualization Instruments: Your grant administration answer gives a wide range of experiences and dashboards, however whenever you need to compile your grantmaking knowledge with different sources, it helps to make use of an API to plug into an exterior knowledge visualization instrument. For instance, you would layer neighborhood demographic knowledge over your impression knowledge. These visualization instruments may also make it simple to embed your charts and graphs into different functions, resembling web sites, portals, or shows, and share them together with your stakeholders.
- Grantmaking and fund accounting: Grantmaking and fund accounting are two important features of any grantmaking group, however they typically contain completely different methods and processes. You should use APIs to attach your grantmaking system together with your fund accounting system and be sure that your monetary knowledge is constant and correct throughout each platforms.
Create a Versatile Grantmaking Ecosystem with Blackbaud Grantmaking
At Blackbaud, we perceive the worth of recent 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 need to enable you create a versatile grantmaking ecosystem that may meet your particular wants and help your mission and impression.
If you wish to study extra about how Blackbaud Grantmaking can function the hub on your sturdy and versatile grantmaking group, schedule a demo right now. Try our up to date API documentation to see how one can enhance knowledge accuracy, analyze knowledge quicker, and streamline your processes.
