Integrity is the foundation of any successful organization, especially in grants management. Grants are a critical source of funding for many nonfederal entities, and taking steps to oversee grants administration effectively is essential to ensuring that funds are used correctly, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable regulations. When applying for a grant or cooperative agreement, nonfederal entities generally know their applications will be judged on recipient risk and the proposal’s merits. Recipient integrity is just as important when awarding agencies evaluate who will receive an award for financial assistance.

In this blog, we will discuss the importance of maintaining grant integrity and the steps that program managers and grant managers can take to ensure they maintain proper program compliance integrity. Readers should be aware that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is considering potential revisions to the uniform guidance and other guidance within Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations during 2023, which could ultimately affect requirements related to program integrity once this year’s revisions become effective.

Upholding Ethical Standards: The first step in maintaining grant integrity is ensuring that your entity supports ethical standards in all operations. This includes adhering to the highest standards of conduct regarding financial reporting, recordkeeping, and hiring and training personnel. Ethical conduct is essential for maintaining the trust of donors and the public and ensuring that your organization follows all applicable regulations and guidelines.

Complying with Regulations: Grants are subject to a myriad of regulations and policies at the federal, state, and local levels. As a result, program and grant managers must stay current on these regulations and policies and take steps to ensure that their organizations comply with all applicable rules. Failure to comply with regulations can result in losing funding, negative press coverage, and even legal action.

Proper Governance: Organizations like non-profits must have appropriate governance structures to maintain grant integrity. This includes having a board of directors overseeing the organization’s finances, operations, and compliance with regulations. Good governance also requires that entities have a robust system of internal controls in place to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Grant Reporting: Accurate and timely reporting is a crucial component of grants management. Grant managers must ensure that all reporting requirements are met and that all financial and programmatic information is accurate and complete. Failure to meet reporting requirements can result in the loss of funding and can damage an entity’s reputation.

Ongoing Monitoring: Finally, maintaining grant integrity requires constant monitoring of an entity’s operations, finances, and compliance with regulations. This includes conducting regular internal audits and risk assessments and taking corrective action when necessary. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps to maintain integrity, grant managers can help ensure that their entity uses grant funding for its intended purposes and comply with all applicable regulations.

In conclusion, ensuring grant integrity is crucial for any entity that receives grant funding. Upholding ethical standards, complying with regulations, implementing appropriate governance mechanisms, conducting accurate and timely reporting, and constant monitoring are all vital elements of maintaining grant integrity. To help grant managers maintain compliance and stay aware of the latest grant developments, visit thompsongrants.com to access our resources. Thompson Grants offers valuable tools and information to help organizations manage grants confidently and successfully. Explore our resources now and take your grant management to new heights!

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Please note: This blog post is not official or legal guidance. Recipients should consult the federal awarding agency regarding whether the Uniform Guidance applies to a particular federal award. Subrecipients should consult with the pass-through entity. Thompson Grants is not a grantmaking organization and does not award grants.