How to customise funder prefixes

Overview

The funder prefix is a short code (such as FUN) that appears at the start of every funder reference number in Found, for example FUN-0001. Customising it lets your organisation display funders with a branded identifier that matches how your team or finance system refers to them.

You set the prefix once at workspace level. From that point on, every new funder you create uses the current prefix. Funders that already exist keep the prefix they were created with, so historical references never change.

What it is

• A workspace-level setting that controls the prefix used when displaying funder reference numbers.

• The default value is FUN, producing references like FUN-0001.

• The prefix is combined with a sequential number, padded to four digits (for example FUN-0001, FUN-0002).

• Each funder stores the prefix that was active when it was created. Changing the workspace prefix later does not rewrite existing funders.

Rules

The prefix must follow these validation rules:

• Between 1 and 8 characters in length.

• Uppercase letters (A–Z) and digits (0–9) only.

• Lowercase letters and special characters are not allowed.

• Leading and trailing whitespace is trimmed automatically.

• The field auto-capitalises as you type.

If the value you enter does not meet these rules, you will see the message: "Use uppercase letters and digits only."