How the GivingData Community Shapes the Platform

GivingData's approach to building software for grantmakers is driven by values of empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for the work that this community does every day.

We don’t simply build features. We co-create them with the foundations we serve.

Listen First, Solution Second

At the heart of our product development process is a simple belief: our clients know best. Whether it’s a small tweak that saves time or a major overhaul that reimagines a workflow, we start by listening and deeply understanding the goals, needs, and challenges that grantmakers and their teams face.

We are constantly seeking insight and inspiration, specifically, through: the GDCentral Ideas Forum, one-on-one interviews, pilot programs, surveys, usability testing, and live events like GDConnect and feedback from our Client Success Managers, who partner with and advocate for client interests every day.

In the first half of 2025 alone, we’ve released 18 client-inspired improvements, with 8 more in development, and conducted 25+ interviews that directly shaped our roadmap.

Principles That Guide Every Decision

Product improvements are guided by principles that ensure our processes are:

• Trustworthy: We build reliable, transparent and accessible tools grounded in grantmaking values.
• Actionable: We design features that move work forward—streamlining tasks and collaboration.
• Simple: We obsess about creating intuitive, inclusive experiences that spark delight.
• Human: We never forget that our community is made up of people helping people, and our software is a reflection of that shared love of humanity.

As Maddie Thoms, VP of Product at GivingData, puts it:

“We’re so grateful for the enthusiastic involvement and collaboration from our community.  When we can take action on their input and insights, it benefits everyone using the product, which is another way they are giving back to others.”

A Process That Prioritizes Impact

Our development cycle is iterative and focused, with four key phases:

1. Analysis & Focus: We identify the themes that matter most to our community and focus our efforts big and small throughout the year to deliver on that vision.
2. Research & Learning: We dive deep into feedback, interviews, metrics, and usage patterns. We learn every day and incorporate those learnings into the work. 
3. Solutioning & Iteration: We prototype, test, and refine, and incorporate feedback again and again.
4. Staggered Impact: We release incremental improvements alongside big innovations, finding ways to both remove daily frustration and support these foundations in step-wise evolution.

This approach allows us to move quickly without losing sight of long-term goals. It also gives us the flexibility to deliver the most value as we discover, learn, and adapt.

More Than Software, A Shared Mission

GivingData isn’t just a grants management system. It’s a partner in your mission. We’re proud to support a community of grantmakers who are doing transformative work, and we’re committed to building tools that help you maximize your impact.

So whether you are posting in the Ideas Forum, joining a pilot, or chatting directly with a Client Success Manager, your feedback doesn’t just shape a feature, it shapes the future of philanthropy.

Connect with us to learn more about our approach to grants management.