Communication channels

We collaborate on the project using various public and private channels. Find out what information or conversations you'll find in each.

Public channels

Content privacy

Content that you share in Simpler.Grants.gov communications channels is never fully private. Administrators can view all of the content shared in each channel, including those with the semblance of privacy, such as direct messages within Slack. The content in these channels is also subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Discourse forum

We use Discourse as our primary platform for discussing open-source development.

Visit Discourse

All public channels

Prohibited activity

Prohibited activity (e.g., violations of our Code of Conduct or the Federal Hatch Act) is never allowed in any channel. Project maintainers have the right and responsibility to moderate and remove prohibited content from all communication channels.

Channel	Platform	Description
Community forum	Discourse	Discussion forum that facilitates communication amongst internal and external stakeholders about the work happening within the initiative.
grants.gov	Website	The official platform that users can visit to discover and apply for federal funding opportunities.
simpler.grants.gov	Website	A new website where you can test out the features we're building to make it easier to discover and apply for federal funding opportunities.
Public wiki	GitBook	Public-facing knowledge base with information about how we're building simpler.grants.gov.
GitHub Code repository	GitHub	Open source repository that stores the source code and technical documentation for the API, static site, and other tools/services related to the initiative.
GitHub Project tickets	GitHub	GitHub issues that describe the scope and content of work tasks related to the Simpler Grants initiative.
GitHub Product roadmap	GitHub	Provisional public roadmap that describes the features and functionality we plan to deliver as a part of this initiative.
GitHub Sprint board	GitHub	Planning tool that helps the team organize project tickets into sprints that deliver pieces of functionality described in the product roadmap.

Private channels

Channel	Platform	Description
Internal forum	Slack	The platform internal Simpler.Grants.gov team members use to discuss sensitive topics and manage day-to-day work.

Zoom for public meetings

Zoom is our primary tool for virtual meetings within the Simpler Grants community. This guide will help you get started and make the most out of your Zoom experience.

Getting started with Zoom

1. Joining Zoom meetings

• Click on the Zoom meeting link provided by the meeting organizer.

• If it's your first time using Zoom, you may be prompted to download and install the Zoom application. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.

2. Testing audio and video

• Before joining a meeting, test your audio and video settings to ensure they're working correctly.

• Click on "Test Speaker & Microphone" or "Test Video" in the Zoom settings menu to check your audio and video devices.

Using Zoom for meetings

Meeting etiquette

• Follow the code of conduct that has been set by the Simpler Grants community
• Keep discussions relevant to the meeting agenda and avoid disruptive behavior.

• Mute your microphone when not speaking to minimize background noise.

• Use the "Raise Hand" feature to indicate when you want to speak or have a question.

2. Participating in discussions

• Contribute actively to discussions by sharing your insights and ideas.

• Use the chat feature to ask questions or provide feedback in text format during the meeting.

Change log

Major updates to the content of this page will be added here.

Date	Update	Notes
2/12/2024	Initial Content	Updated with Initial content
3/19/2025	Updated the channels
4/15	Updated privacy and prohibited activity warnings	Consolidated with information previously found on stand-alone "Content privacy" page.