We will update and reshare this resource when the new portal is live. You may want to wait to make any changes until after the launch, but keep reading if you'd like to start thinking about how to optimize your opportunities for your GO Smart portal and the new Creative West portal.
🚀 Optimize Your Listing
Here is how to make your listing stand out in the Creative West Opportunities Portal.
🕵️ Audit Your Agency Name
Ensure your Agency Name in GO Smart is listed exactly as you want it to appear in the Creative West Opportunities Portal Directory. Consistent naming ensures all your opportunities are grouped correctly in both systems.
📸 Screenshot of the admin.gosmart.org logged in header displaying the logged in username, agency name in red rectangle, and applicant URL.
🔍 Check Your Agency Name:
Log in to admin.gosmart.org.
Note the name of your agency in the top right corner: “Logged in as [username] | [Agency Name]
Contact the GO Smart team to change your agency name, if necessary.
✍️ Rename Cycles for Clarity
Update your Cycle Names to be descriptive for the public. Avoid internal jargon or codes to ensure your listings are intuitive for both the Creative West Opportunities Portal users and your returning applicants.
Example: Use "2026 Artist Fellowship" instead of "FY26-AF-P1"
📸 Screenshot of the applicant’s portal and Grant Application & Forms tab with the cycle name for the top opportunity displayed in a red rectangle.
⚙️ Update Your Cycle Name:
Go to the Grant Editor tab → Program Cycles subtab
Select the program and cycle
Click the Configure Cycle tab
Update the Cycle Name
Click Save Changes
📋 Optimize Program Description and Program Message Fields
Content in your existing Program Description and Message fields will be the main way visitors to the opportunity portal learn about your grants. Use the Program Description field to establish your identity. State your agency name and the primary goal of your grant so applicants can immediately identify the source and purpose of the funding. Use the Program Message field to highlight Key Eligibility Guidelines, Geographic Parameters, and Award Amount(s).
💡Tip: Use dashes or ALL CAPS headers (e.g., ELIGIBILITY, LOCATION) to break up text.
📸 Screenshot of the applicant’s portal and Grant Application & Forms tab with the program description and program message displayed.
🛠️ Update Description and Message Fields:
Go to the Grant Editor tab → Program Cycles subtab → Additional Text section
Select the program and cycle
Update the Program Description and Program Message text
Click Save Changes
📅 Verify Cycle Dates
Confirm that your Application Open and Final Submission deadlines are accurate. The Creative West Opportunities Portal uses these dates to trigger automatic "Deadline Approaching" alerts to interested applicants.
⏱️ Date Verification Process:
Go to the Grant Editor tab → Program Cycles subtab → Applicant Access & Dates section
Select the program and cycle
Verify Open and Deadline dates and times are accurate
If changes were made, click Save Changes
