#FixtheForm Showed Us the Problem. Here’s What They Found.

Charities have always done the impossible.

They’ve delivered services, built programs, and supported entire communities on razor-thin budgets. But millions of hours each year are lost—not to impact—but to paperwork.

In 2020, a global campaign called #FixTheForm put this pain front and center. Led by GrantAdvisor, they launched a rapid-response survey asking one simple question:

“What would you change about the grant application process?”

In just four weeks, they received over 500 responses from grantseekers in 9 countries—representing every shape, size, and sector of nonprofit work.

🔍 What They Found

The survey confirmed what many in the sector already knew:

Nonprofits lose 20–30% of their time to redundant, poorly designed applications

The #1 frustration? Not being able to see the full application ahead of time

Others included:

• Having to reformat the same answers for every funder
• Inconsistent word limits and terminology
• Excessive or duplicative attachments
• Re-entering data already submitted in past cycles

The result? As one respondent put it:

“We have to write the same proposal 15 different ways.”

Another shared:

“The system rewards those who can play the grant game—not necessarily those doing the best work.”

And perhaps most striking:

"Just let us upload our standard materials once—please.”

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⏳ The Hidden Cost: 1 Million Hours

GrantAdvisor estimates that over 1 million hours could be saved each year by addressing just a few of these inefficiencies. That’s time that could be spent serving communities, developing programs, and creating real change—not filling out PDFs.

The #FixTheForm campaign helped foundations see what grantseekers experience every day. Many responded by simplifying their forms, eliminating redundant questions, and publishing full application previews. It was a moment of momentum, and it opened a larger conversation:

Could we go further?

🇨🇦 What’s Next—for Canada -  A common grant. If we can bring together Quebec, BC, and Alberta to reduce or eliminate trade barriers, we can also unite the Philanthropic and Charitable community. 

We were deeply inspired by #FixTheForm. But we can go further. 

Not a government form or a watchdog rubric.

But a smarter, shareable starting point.

A tool specifically designed for Major and Institutional Donors. Whether you give from your DAF, Foundation, or Bank Account. 

For now, we want to thank the team at GrantAdvisor—and the 500+ grantseekers who spoke up. You didn’t just highlight inefficiencies. You gave us a clear map for change.

Because generosity shouldn’t be exhausting. And paperwork shouldn’t be the price of impact.

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