Managing shifting priorities along with the demands of keeping communities afloat, it’s easy for public sector teams to become hyper-focused on specific challenges and goals. However, for governments to engage effectively with their constituents, having a holistic, birds-eye view can help leaders solve complex issues with greater success. And that’s especially true when it comes to getting federal funding.
For many cities, functioning as a unified regional entity rather than a collection of isolated jurisdictions can facilitate more strategic problem-solving, prioritization of issues, and long-lasting impact for everyone. To this end, strategies such as regional collaboration and the employment of new technology can go a long way towards achieving important funding goals.
Why is Regional Collaboration Important?
Pursuing and managing complex federal grants can be tricky when dealing with limited capacity and stringent reporting requirements. Sharing the burden through cross-jurisdictional collaboration and interagency strategic planning can maximize impact without increasing administrative strain.
At a Colorado roundtable hosted by Euna Solutions, leaders emphasized the importance of grants for funding vital programs but noted that an increased reliance on federal money diverts resources from local priorities like stormwater management and community development. Jamar Kelly, finance director of Reading, Pa., highlighted the need for preparatory studies, modernized systems, and coordinated efforts across agencies to secure and effectively use federal funds, pointing out that federal programs often reward applications that integrate and amplify related projects.
In collaboration with Funkhouser & Associates, Euna Solutions created a playbook, Strategic Planning in a Time of Change: The Plays, based on insights from industry leaders specifically designed to guide public sector teams. The playbook delves deeper into collaborative grant management and regional teamwork, prescribing steps to maximize impact and facilitate success.
How can Technology Help?
Euna Grants (powered by eCivis) can play a pivotal role in driving community impact by providing a robust platform for identifying, securing, managing, and giving grant funding.
Euna Grants’ professionally curated database allows public sector teams to find relevant grants quickly and easily, enabling cities to collaborate in applying and securing funding for unified initiatives such as improving healthcare access, developing the workforce, and addressing public health challenges. By supporting these efforts, Euna Grants helps local governments operate more efficiently and effectively, ultimately benefiting the residents they serve.
In addition to finding relevant grants, Euna Grants’ management software is purpose-built to support compliance, collaboration, task management, application management, subrecipient monitoring, and more once funding is awarded.
Cities such as Norfolk, VA use Euna Grants to manage their funding without burdening staff, having the added benefit of baked-in federal compliance and reporting to reduce any risks. The reporting functionality ensures transparency, which is particularly essential when multiple agencies are collaborating.
States and counties including Arizona and Maricopa County leverage Euna Grants to manage their subrecipient activities, given that subgrants are essential for empowering local community groups and municipalities. Euna Grants’ Subrecipient Management tools help ensure equitable distribution, real-time monitoring, and community impact.
The strategic use of grant funding through platforms like Euna Grants can significantly enhance a city’s ability to innovate and make a broader community impact. By breaking down silos and fostering a collaborative environment, local governments can address complex urban challenges more effectively and improve the quality of life for their residents.
Curious about maximizing your team’s impact?
Leverage Euna Grants’ array of functionalities to make your grants process holistic, streamlined, and impactful from beginning to end.