From an Auditor Who’s Seen It All:
The Grant Compliance Checklist
Avoid Mistakes
Costing Non-Profits
$3,000+ in Fixes
After 23 years auditing non-profits, I’ve created the compliance roadmap that eliminates violations, reduces stress, and builds the systems funders want to see.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE CHECKLIST NOWI’ve Watched Non-Profits Make the Same Expensive Mistakes for Over Two Decades
As a former Auditor, I’ve conducted hundreds of compliance reviews. And I’ve seen the same preventable mistakes cost organizations thousands of dollars, countless staff hours, and even their funding.
The $3,200 Documentation Disaster
A local non-profit received a $150,000 grant—their largest award ever. Three months in, they realized they’d been commingling grant funds with their general operating account. The fix? Over 40 hours reconstructing financial records and $3,200 in professional fees to clean up the mess.
The Audit Nightmare
Another organization faced their first federal audit unprepared. Missing time and effort reports, incomplete procurement documentation, and inadequate cost allocation procedures led to findings that jeopardized future funding opportunities.
The Missed Opportunity
Countless non-profits never even apply for grants because compliance requirements feel too overwhelming. They leave transformational funding on the table because they don’t have the systems in place.
“The tragedy is that every single one of these situations was completely preventable with the right compliance framework from day one.”
The Roadmap to Confidence
Introducing the Grant Compliance Checklist
That Prevents These Costly Mistakes
After 23 years of auditing non-profits and 16 years helping organizations build sustainable compliance systems, I’ve distilled everything into one comprehensive checklist. This is the exact framework I use with my clients.
Pre-Award Phase
- Organizational readiness requirements
- Financial documentation checklist
- Grant application preparation
- Board governance structures
- Policy and procedure requirements
Post-Award Setup
- Separate accounting system setup
- Grant file creation and organization
- Reporting calendar establishment
- Internal control implementation
- First 30-day action plan
Financial Management
- Expenditure tracking systems
- Budget vs. actual monitoring
- Cost allocation procedures
- Match funding documentation
- Indirect cost calculations
Ongoing Compliance
- Monthly financial reporting
- Programmatic progress tracking
- Documentation filing systems
- Performance metrics collection
- Subcontractor oversight
Audit Readiness
- Documentation requirements
- Internal control checklists
- Time and effort reporting
- Procurement procedures
- Equipment inventory management
Common Pitfalls
- 7 financial mistakes that trigger violations
- 6 programmatic compliance errors
- Red flags auditors look for
- How to catch issues before they become problems
Advisory Triggers
- 8 situations that require professional support
- Federal compliance resources
- Professional support contacts
What This Checklist Will Do For
Your Organization
Move from compliance fear to grant confidence with a proven framework.
Designed for Non-Profits at Every Stage
If you recognize your organization in any of these scenarios, this framework is your solution.
First-Time Grant Recipients
You just received your first federal grant and need to set up compliant systems from day one to ensure success.
Experienced Non-Profits
You’re managing multiple grants and need streamlined, proven processes to reduce administrative burden.
Organizations Preparing to Apply
You want to demonstrate organizational capacity and build confidence before pursuing larger grant opportunities.
Non-Profits Facing Audits
You need to ensure your documentation and internal control systems are fully audit-ready right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s designed for federal grant compliance, the systems and processes work for state, local, and private foundation grants as well.
Absolutely! Federal compliance requirements are the same nationwide. While we specialize in serving Kansas City Metro non-profits, this checklist is valuable for organizations anywhere.
The checklist includes “Advisory Triggers”—8 specific situations where professional support is recommended. If you need hands-on help implementing these systems, we offer strategic advisory services tailored to your organization’s needs.
This checklist comes from 23+ years of real auditing experience—not theory. It’s the exact framework we use with paying clients, and it addresses the specific mistakes I’ve seen cost organizations thousands of dollars.
Yes! Share it with anyone in your organization who needs it.
Ready to Eliminate Compliance Stress and Protect Your Funding?
Download your free Grant Compliance Checklist now and get the same framework Kansas City non-profits use to manage grants with confidence.
- Complete pre-award through audit readiness checklist
- Step-by-step implementation guidance
- Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Advisory triggers for when to seek professional help
- Federal resource directory
GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST NOW
DOWNLOAD INSTANT ACCESSCall: 877-573-5043 | Visit: TWA Accounting & Business Solutions
How Kansas City Non-Profits
Are Using This Checklist
Real-world results from organizations managing critical funding.
The Outcome:
Typical Results Using Our Framework:
reduction in administrative burden
compliance violations reported
audit readiness at all times
Increased confidence pursuing larger grants