Glossary
Grants

Grant Amendment

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
June 16, 2025

DEFINITION:

A grant amendment is an official change to a grant agreement’s terms, such as scope, budget, or timeline.
A Grant Amendment is a formal, written modification to the terms, conditions, or scope of an existing grant agreement between a funder and a recipient organization. Amendments may address changes in project timelines, budgets, deliverables, reporting requirements, or other critical components necessary to ensure the grant remains aligned with evolving circumstances or objectives. The amendment process typically requires mutual agreement and signatures from both parties, ensuring transparency and accurate record-keeping. Proper documentation of amendments is vital for compliance and future audits, as it demonstrates the organization’s commitment to accountability and effective fund management. Grant amendments play a crucial role in nonprofit operations, allowing flexibility while maintaining donor confidence and regulatory compliance.

Key Takeaways

  • Grant amendments require formal documentation and mutual agreement.
  • They ensure compliance when grant terms need to change.
  • Properly tracking amendments supports transparency and audits.

Why It Matters

Grant amendments safeguard compliance and flexibility when project needs or circumstances change.

Real World Example

A nonprofit receives a grant to fund an after-school program, with an original end date of December 31. Midway through the year, the nonprofit faces unexpected delays due to staffing shortages and requests to extend the grant period by three months. The funder reviews the request and both parties sign a grant amendment reflecting the new end date and adjusted reporting deadlines. This amendment is added to the nonprofit’s official grant records to ensure the organization remains compliant and has a clear, updated reference for project management and future audits.

How Aplos Helps

In Aplos, you can track and document grant amendments alongside original grant agreements, ensuring a comprehensive audit trail. The platform allows users to update budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements as amendments are approved, maintaining accurate records for both operational and compliance needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a grant amendment?

A grant amendment is a formal change to an existing grant agreement’s terms, such as budget, timeline, or reporting requirements.

When is a grant amendment necessary?

An amendment is necessary if project circumstances change, requiring updates to the original grant scope, budget, or deadlines.

How should nonprofits track grant amendments?

Nonprofits should document all amendments in writing and keep them with the original agreement, ideally using a grant management system like Aplos.

Who must approve a grant amendment?

Both the funder and the recipient organization must formally agree to and sign any grant amendment.

Does a grant amendment affect compliance?

Yes, accurate documentation of amendments is essential for compliance, transparency, and future audits.