Start in the right place instead of wandering the whole product.
Expirely covers grants, donors, events, marketing, volunteers, and operations. This page is for the first week: choose the job you need done first, follow the right guide, and get one real workflow running before you expand.
Your first 30 minutes
Pick the one module that solves the most urgent problem this week.
Follow the opening steps in the matching guide below.
Create one live record so the workspace reflects real work, not a blank setup.
Bring in reminders, reporting, and more modules after the main flow is working.
Choose your lane
Pick the first workflow you need to own.
New users usually need clarity more than more features. These are the fastest starting routes based on what your team actually needs to do first.
Best for funding teams
Find and track grant funding
Start here if your first priority is building a pipeline, organizing deadlines, and drafting proposals quickly.
Open with
Go to `Grants` in the top nav.
Best for fundraising teams
Build donor records and stewardship
Use this path if you need cleaner donor data, gift tracking, imports, and thank-you workflows before anything else.
Open with
Go to `Donors` in the top nav.
Best for event teams
Launch an event or registration flow
Choose this path if your next milestone is selling tickets, managing attendees, or preparing an event team to operate smoothly.
Open with
Go to `Events` in the top nav.
Best for operations leads
Coordinate operations and the team
Pick this route if you need to centralize tasks, reminders, documents, and internal follow-through across the organization.
Open with
Go to `Operations` in the top nav.
First-week workflow
What a good first week usually looks like.
The fastest teams avoid over-configuring. They set one lane live, prove the workflow, and only then layer on supporting systems.
Choose one module to lead with
Do not try to configure every feature on day one. Start with the workflow that is most urgent right now.
Add one real record immediately
Create one application, donor, event, volunteer, or task so the system is teaching you with live data, not an empty workspace.
Run one complete workflow end to end
Publish an event, send a campaign, assign a task, or save a proposal draft so your team sees how the module actually behaves.
Layer reporting and reminders after setup
Once the main workflow works, add exports, reminders, analytics, and shared ownership so the system keeps momentum for you.
Guide library
Use the guide that matches the work, not just the feature name.
Every guide below is written to get a new team moving quickly: where to click, what to set up first, and which workflows matter most once you arrive.
Grants Quick Start
Short, step-by-step guidance for finding, tracking, and submitting grants in Expirely.
Grant teams and executive directors
Start here
- Go to `Grants` in the top nav.
- Click `Applications` to see your pipeline.
- Click `New Application` to add your first grant.
Most-used workflows
- Find new grant opportunities
- Track an application
- Draft a proposal with AI
Donors Quick Start
Simple steps to add donors, import lists, and start stewardship in Expirely.
Fundraising and stewardship teams
Start here
- Go to `Donors` in the top nav.
- Click `Directory` to see your donor list.
- Click `Add Donor` to create your first record.
Most-used workflows
- Add a donor manually
- Upload donors in bulk
- Track a donation
Events Quick Start
Create events, sell tickets, and track attendance.
Event managers and operations leads
Start here
- Go to `Events` in the top nav.
- Click `Create Event` to build your first event.
- Publish the event page and share the link.
Most-used workflows
- Create an event
- Manage registrations
- Track revenue and impact
Marketing Quick Start
Launch campaigns, build workflows, and track performance.
Campaign and communications teams
Start here
- Go to `Marketing` in the top nav.
- Click `New Email Campaign` to draft your first message.
- Use `Workflows` to automate follow-ups.
Most-used workflows
- Send an email campaign
- Build a workflow
- Review performance
Operations Quick Start
Organize tasks, reminders, documents, and team workflows.
Admins, chiefs of staff, and team leads
Start here
- Go to `Operations` in the top nav.
- Create your first task and assign it.
- Set reminders for key deadlines.
Most-used workflows
- Create and assign tasks
- Set reminders
- Store key documents
Volunteers Quick Start
Add volunteers, schedule shifts, and track hours in Expirely.
Volunteer managers and community teams
Start here
- Go to `Volunteers` in the top nav.
- Click `Add Volunteer` to create your first record.
- Use `Shifts` to schedule upcoming opportunities.
Most-used workflows
- Add a volunteer
- Upload volunteers in bulk
- Schedule a shift
Silent Auction Setup Guide
Set up a standalone auction, add donated items, and publish a bidding page.
Auction teams and fundraising events
Start here
- Set your organization donation slug before publishing the auction link.
- Create the auction under Donors > Auctions and confirm your time window.
- Add donated items, then share the public bidding page when the auction is live.
Most-used workflows
- Create the auction and confirm public settings
- Add donated gifts with bidding rules
- Manage item status and supporter bidding
Extra help
Reference material for teams that need more than a quick start.
Once your core workflow is live, these deeper resources help with grants prep, analytics, and the operational details that usually slow teams down later.
Grant Writing Pantry Checklist
A reusable checklist of the files, metrics, budgets, and organizational details most funders ask for.
Nonprofit Analytics Tracking Guide
Step-by-step guidance for setting up GA4, GTM, and Bing tracking for donations, signups, and campaigns.
Still not sure where to begin?
Tell support what your team is trying to do in the next two weeks. We can usually point you to the right module, guide, and setup order faster than trial and error.