Lesson 2.2 – Main Menu and Sub-Menu Navigation

In FastFund Online, finding the tools you need to manage your nonprofit’s development efforts is intuitive and straightforward. The system is designed around a consistent, two-tiered navigation structure: the Horizontal Main Menu and the Vertical Function Sub-Menu.

Understanding how these two menus interact will allow you to quickly access constituent records, enter donations, and generate reports without getting lost in the system.

1. The Horizontal Main Menu

Located just below the top Status Bar, the light blue Horizontal Main Menu categorizes all of FastFund’s features into broad operational areas. Clicking any of these tabs will change your current workspace and update the secondary menus to match your selection.

The primary tabs on the Main Menu include:

• Dashboard: Returns you to your home screen containing your visual financial metrics and Key Performance Indicators.
• Lists: This is where you build your database. It provides access to your Constituents, Chart of Accounts, and Campaign Management tools (Funds, Campaigns, Appeals, and Gifts).
• Transactions: This is your data entry hub. Access screens to record Donations/Receipts, Pledges, In-Kind Contributions, and perform Batch Processing.
• Cost Allocations: Manage Point of Entry allocations to automatically distribute transactions across multiple funds or programs.
• Utilities: Access critical data management tools like Duplicate Search, Merge Names, and data Imports/Exports.
• Reports: Generate standard accounting-style reports, detailed donor histories, and campaign summaries.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Display the light blue Horizontal Main Menu highlighting the tabs for Dashboard, Lists, Transactions, Cost Allocations, Utilities, and Reports.]

2. The Vertical Function Sub-Menu (Task Bar)

Whenever you click a tab on the Horizontal Main Menu (except for the Dashboard), a corresponding Vertical Function Sub-Menu (or Task Bar) appears on the left side of your screen.

This vertical menu acts as your specific task list for that operational area. For example, if you click Lists in the main menu, the vertical sub-menu will populate with specific list categories such as:

• Entities: Click here to access your Constituent database.
• Campaign Management: Click here to build your gift pyramid (Funds, Campaigns, Appeals, and Gifts).
• Chart of Accounts: Click here to access your Segments and linked Accounts.

As you click through the options on the vertical task bar, the large white Main Work Space in the center of your screen will update to display the corresponding data entry forms, lists, or reports.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Show the left-hand Vertical Sub-Menu expanded under the ‘Lists’ category, clearly displaying the ‘Entities’ and ‘Campaign Management’ clickable options.]

3. Responsive Navigation and the Hamburger Icon

FastFund Online features a responsive User Interface/User Experience (UX/UI) design. This means the system automatically adapts to the size of the screen you are using.

If you are working on a tablet, a mobile phone, or simply have your desktop browser window condensed, FastFund will automatically hide the Vertical Function Sub-Menu to maximize your available workspace.

When the vertical menu is hidden, you can access it at any time by clicking the Hamburger Icon (three horizontal lines) located in the top right corner of the screen. Clicking this icon slides the vertical task bar into view, allowing you to make your selection before it neatly tucks away again.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT: Display the FastFund interface on a condensed screen setting, highlighting the Hamburger Icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner with the Vertical Sub-Menu sliding out.]