# 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

{% hint style="warning" %}
**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](https://www.foia.gov/how-to.html).
{% endhint %}

### Discourse forum

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

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Visit Discourse</td><td><a href="/files/XPpHFPY9pu60h9Ic1cg1">/files/XPpHFPY9pu60h9Ic1cg1</a></td><td><a href="https://forum.simpler.grants.gov/">https://forum.simpler.grants.gov/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### All public channels

{% hint style="danger" %}
**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.
{% endhint %}

<table><thead><tr><th width="219">Channel</th><th width="137">Platform</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://forum.simpler.grants.gov/">Community forum</a></td><td>Discourse</td><td>Discussion forum that facilitates communication amongst internal and external stakeholders about the work happening within the initiative.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.grants.gov">grants.gov</a></td><td>Website</td><td>The official platform that users can visit to discover and apply for federal funding opportunities.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://simpler.grants.gov">simpler.grants.gov</a></td><td>Website</td><td>A <strong>new</strong> website where you can test out the features we're building to make it easier to discover and apply for federal funding opportunities.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/spaces/Pm7UEzeiS1tbLCV1SFRu">Public wiki</a></td><td>GitBook</td><td>Public-facing knowledge base with information about how we're building simpler.grants.gov.</td></tr><tr><td>GitHub<br><a href="https://github.com/HHS/simpler-grants-gov">Code repository</a></td><td>GitHub</td><td>Open source repository that stores the source code and technical documentation for the API, static site, and other tools/services related to the initiative.</td></tr><tr><td>GitHub<br><a href="https://github.com/HHS/simpler-grants-gov/issues">Project tickets</a></td><td>GitHub</td><td>GitHub issues that describe the scope and content of work tasks related to the Simpler Grants initiative.</td></tr><tr><td>GitHub<br><a href="https://github.com/orgs/HHS/projects/12">Product roadmap</a></td><td>GitHub</td><td>Provisional public roadmap that describes the features and functionality we plan to deliver as a part of this initiative.</td></tr><tr><td>GitHub<br><a href="https://github.com/orgs/HHS/projects/13">Sprint board</a></td><td>GitHub</td><td>Planning tool that helps the team organize project tickets into sprints that deliver pieces of functionality described in the product roadmap.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Private channels

<table><thead><tr><th width="219">Channel</th><th width="137">Platform</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Internal forum</td><td>Slack</td><td>The platform internal Simpler.Grants.gov team members use to discuss sensitive topics and manage day-to-day work.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## 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.

<details>

<summary>Getting started with Zoom</summary>

**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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Using Zoom for meetings</summary>

**Meeting etiquette**

* Follow the[ code of conduct](https://wiki.simpler.grants.gov/get-involved/policies-and-guidelines) 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.

</details>

## Change log

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

<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th width="246">Update</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2/12/2024</td><td>Initial Content</td><td>Updated with Initial content</td></tr><tr><td>3/19/2025</td><td>Updated the channels</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4/15</td><td>Updated privacy and prohibited activity warnings</td><td>Consolidated with information previously found on stand-alone "Content privacy" page.</td></tr></tbody></table>


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