Introduction
A modern Foundation Management System built on monday.com, supported by education, community, and practical implementation guidance.

Welcome to firstFMS Academy - Helping Grantmakers Move Beyond Spreadsheets
Introduction
firstFMS Academy is a free educational resource created to help grantmakers modernize their grant management practices through practical education, community learning, and an affordable Foundation Management System built on monday.com.
Whether you're managing grants with spreadsheets today or evaluating your next grant management platform, firstFMS Academy is designed to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Mission Statement
Our mission is simple:
Education Before Technology
We believe organizations should understand modern grant management before selecting software.
Technology should support great grantmaking—not define it.
Explore firstFMS
Learn about the firstFMS platform, why it was built, and how it helps organizations move beyond spreadsheets.
Join Open Office Hours
Participate in community discussions, ask questions, and learn alongside other grantmakers.
Academy Library
Browse articles, videos, guides, newsletters, and implementation resources.
Featured Article
Why Grantmakers Outgrow Spreadsheets
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/books/welcome-to-firstfms-academy/page/why-grantmakers-outgrow-spreadsheets
Why Grantmakers Outgrow Spreadsheets
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/books/welcome-to-firstfms-academy/page/why-grantmakers-outgrow-spreadsheets
Latest Newsletter
Display the most recent firstFMS Academy LinkedIn Newsletter.
Include:
Article title
Publication date
Brief summary
Read More link
The newsletter serves as the Academy's primary publishing channel.
Featured Video
Display the latest introductory video from Brooke (or Brooklyn).
Videos should support—not replace—the written content.
Learning Paths
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/shelves/learning-paths
Learning Paths
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/shelves/learning-paths
Exploring firstFMS 
Getting Started
Daily Grant Management
Welcome to the Academy Community
Welcome to the Academy Community—your central hub for training, resources, policies, and best practices.
Whether you're a new team member getting started or an experienced employee looking for guidance, you'll find the information you need here.
Use the navigation below to explore training materials, company resources, and department documentation.
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/shelves/community
Community
https://firstfms-academy-u73800.vm.elestio.app/shelves/community
About firstFMS Academy
firstFMS Academy exists to democratize Foundation Management Systems by making practical grant management education accessible to organizations of every size.
Our goal is to help grantmakers spend less time managing technology and more time creating impact.
firstFMS Academy
Helping Grantmakers Move Beyond Spreadsheets
Education Before Technology
Built by Foundation Impact Solutions
© Foundation Impact Solutions, LLC