MML Review Magazine Spring 2026

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO BUILDING A STRONG GRANT COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK By Amanda Ward, Stef Stephenson, & Gabrielle Wafer

Navigating the grant landscape requires precision and per sistence. While compliance is non-negotiable, the evolving and often intricate requirements can pose significant challenges for even the most experienced teams. Organizations must navigate myriad laws, regulations, and standards to avoid penalties, protect their funding, and maintain operational integrity. Losing focus on compliance in this environment can lead to significant risks for your organization, including hefty fines and penalties, revocation of tax-exempt status, and loss of funding. Is a review of your compliance framework overdue? Here’s how to start your journey now. The path to achieving compliance begins with a thorough evaluation of the people, processes, and technologies within your organization; an examination of each grant to ensure proper adherence to the rules; and a durable framework to maintain compliance into the future. Take a Team Approach Compliance can’t fall onto the shoulders of a single individual. It requires a dedicated team of knowledgeable professionals with a deep understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards and best practices, including Uniform Guidance, state-specific regulations, and other require ments. When building your compliance team, focus on the following key areas: Define roles and responsibilities: Clearly distinguished roles ensure accountability and efficiency. Each team member must understand their specific duties and how they contri- bute to your organization’s compliance strategy. If a shortage of qualified professionals leaves your organization without sufficient staff to handle critical duties, consider adding team members from outside of your organization. Outsourcing specific functions can be a cost-effective and time-efficient solution to address these needs. Foster collaboration across departments: A comprehen sive approach to compliance requires cooperation among various departments, grants, accounting, legal, and IT. Clear communication between departments ensures a

good flow of information around compliance and fosters a collective mindset of adhering to the rules. Working to gether as a team helps reduce the risk of noncompliance that often occurs in isolated operations. This collaborative approach fosters a comprehensive organizational response to compliance challenges. Cultivate an ethical culture: An ethical culture naturally promotes compliance. Encourage individuals to act with integrity and to report concerns without fearing retribution. Leadership plays a pivotal role in setting the “tone at the top” for ethical behavior. Train your team: Ensure that individuals responsible for grant administration have a sound understanding of the compliance requirements and established processes needed to perform their tasks. Grant requirements can be complex and may sometimes evolve, and training—internal and external—is necessary for individuals involved in grant management to meet compliance requirements. Update training programs regularly to cover new policies and best practices, reinforcing the commitment to compliance. “ Regular assessments help reveal potential compliance issues before they escalate into something more serious. ” ReviewYour Processes Every organization needs a comprehensive, systematic approach to identify and address compliance risk exposure. This requires processes that result in strong internal controls, thorough risk management, diligent monitoring, and detailed documentation, to support your compliance efforts. To streamline compliance efforts while mitigating risk, focus on the following:

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| Spring 2026