Public Sector Grants Teams Struggle with Rising Compliance and Financial Pressures

Event summary

  • Euna Solutions' 2026 State of Grants Management and Technology report highlights growing financial and compliance pressures on public sector grants teams.
  • 40% of respondents are applying for more grants to address revenue gaps, with 80% concerned about funding stability over the next 1-3 years.
  • 77% of respondents report increased compliance oversight, while 65% say reporting requirements significantly affect workload.
  • 44% of teams still rely on spreadsheets or disconnected tools, with 39% spending up to half their time on manual tasks.
  • 29% of organizations are already using automation or AI tools, with 50% exploring or piloting them in the coming year.

The big picture

The report underscores the critical role grants now play in public sector budget stability, as traditional revenue streams become less reliable. The findings highlight a growing disconnect between increasing compliance demands and the operational capacity of grants teams, creating a strategic imperative for technology adoption. With 50% of organizations exploring automation, the next year will be pivotal in determining whether these teams can scale their operations to meet evolving funding and compliance challenges.

What we're watching

Technology Adoption
The pace at which public sector grants teams adopt automation and AI tools will determine their ability to manage increasing workloads and compliance demands.
Funding Stability
Whether public sector organizations can sustain their reliance on grants as a primary funding source amid rising compliance and administrative burdens.
Operational Efficiency
How the shift from manual processes to centralized, automated systems will impact the efficiency and effectiveness of grants management teams.