Finding grants typically begins with "prospect research" - finding out who is most likely to give you money. Funders generally care about:
- Subject. Is your mission compatible with theirs? Does your program help solve a problem they are passionate about?
- Population served. Do you help people the funder cares about?
- Geographic region. Even if the funder isn't located near you, have they given grants to other organizations in your area?
The best way to research grant prospects is with Foundation Directory, Candid's searchable application that provides unsurpassed levels of comprehensive and accurate information on grantmakers and their grants.
You can search based on subject area, geography, grantmaker type, trustee names, and many other search fields. See a sample record or browse our Foundation Directory guide.
Use Foundation Directory on your own computer by choosing from two subscription plans, depending on the depth of information you need. You can also use Foundation Directory for free at one of our Candid partner locations. Eligible nonprofits with revenue or expenses under $1M can also gain a free year of access to Foundation Directory Professional through our Go for Gold promotion.
You should have 501(c)(3) status
Foundations generally give to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. If you don't have tax-exempt status, you might consider fundraising from individuals who support your cause, such as crowdfunding. If you want grants, explore fiscal sponsorship.
Registered NGOs or charities based in other countries might be able to apply to funders directly. Read more about alternative approaches in this article: Can our international NGO raise funds in the U.S.?
Claim and update your Candid profile
Millions of grantmakers and individual donors use Candid to search for nonprofits to support. Claim your profile and Earn Seals of Transparency to give funders the information they need to support you. You can take our short, self-paced course for step-by-step instructions on claiming and updating your organization's Candid profile.
New to finding funders?
If you’re new to grantseeking, our free classes, offered in a variety of live and on-demand formats, can help you learn the process:
Keep track of your prospects
The amount of information you collect will grow quickly! Foundation Directory subscribers have access to features that can help you manage your prospects.
Free tools to get started now
- Foundation Directory: Search for free in-person at our Candid partner locations. Eligible nonprofits with revenue or expenses under $1M can also gain a free year of access to Foundation Directory Professional through our Go for Gold promotion.
- Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Search published grant announcements at Philanthropy News Digest, a service of Candid. You can sign up for a free weekly email that lists newly posted RFPs. Note, foundations do not have to publish RFPs, and less than 1 percent of them do, so you will miss many grant opportunities if you only look at RFPs.
Also, see also our related help article: - How do I approach a foundation and build a successful grantee-funder relationship?
International Grants & Funders
Fundsnet Services
Offers links to grantmakers with international funding interests, including Australia & UK Grants, and Canada foundations and grants.
Templates, Worksheets, Guides, and Sample Documents
Nonprofit Works Inc.
Contains downloadable templates, worksheets, and sample documents for planning, budgets, fund development, communications, and board training.
“Aesthetics and Technicalities for Grantwriters.” Offers lots of advice on proposal writing including many quotes from grant writers and grantmakers. For professionals and newbies. Many links to other sites too.
Jane Geever Talks About Crafting Proposals - YouTube
In 2011, Jane Geever, consultant and author of The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing, shared her thoughts on what funders look for when reviewing proposals. She also gives advice on crafting successful proposals, including things that grantseekers should avoid.
How to Write a Grant Proposal
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The Complete Book of Grant Writing: Learn to Write Grants Like a Professional
Nancy Burke Smith, E. Gabriel Works
Winning Grants Step by Step: The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing, and Writing Successful Proposals
Lynn English, Tori O'Neal-McElrath, Lynn Kanter
The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need
Ellen Karsh, Arlen Sue Fox