Grant Prospect Research: Eight Places to Look
Author: Judy Riffle, Ed.D
In 1735, Benjamin Franklin wrote in Poor Richard’s Almanack, “Look before, or you’ll find yourself behind.” This sage advice applies to grant prospect research also. When researching and making a fundraising plan of attack, a grant calendar should be created and updated regularly. Grant prospect research is not done once and forgotten but should be reviewed at least twice or quarterly per year as time permits. New funders or new grant opportunities may be missed if you are not doing ongoing research.
So, for the first step of research, where do you look for grants? Here are some of my personal recommendations.
Google: Do not underestimate the power of doing a simple, free Google search (or your favorite search engine) using keywords pertaining to your project focus areas (i.e., grants for homelessness). Funding possibilities sometimes show up that may not be found in grant databases.
Candid Foundation Directory Online (FDO): Most grant professionals rely on this database to find any of the 225,000 private foundations in the USA, even when the funders themselves do not have websites or do not accept unsolicited applications. Funder profiles can be downloaded to help you prepare for Letters of Inquiry (LOIs), concept papers, or grant proposals. Candid also has a web page to help individuals find grants, scholarships, fellowships, and awards. Most public libraries allow you to browse FDO for free. However, if you want to purchase a subscription, the cost annually is $1,499 or you can pay monthly.
GrantStation: This is another reliable database for finding grant prospects. Annual memberships cost $699, but in the summer, membership fees are on sale at $169. If you join the Grant Professionals Association, you receive access to GrantStation for free.
Grant Gopher: Besides having a catchy name and delivering handy grant newsletters to your inbox, this is another helpful grant database with a subscription service. You can also find five grants by doing a search for free with their Lite service plan. The Pro subscription plan costs $9 monthly, or the Pro Success Path costs $49 per month.
The School Funding Center: If you are interested in finding pre-K, K-12, and higher education-related grants, this database provides corporate, private foundation, state, and federal funding sources. Funding areas include special education, literacy, journalism, professional development, facilities, transportation, STEM, and many others. You can find some grants through a free search or pay for more access through a 12-month individual membership fee of $197 or a district license for $997 annually.
The Arizona Guide to Grants Online: One of the many benefits of membership with the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits is a free membership to this state-specific foundation grant database. Check with your state fundraising, grantmaker or nonprofit association to see if a state-specific grant database is available where you live.
GrantFinder: This is a grant database from Lexipol which assists with finding funding for schools, colleges, fire departments, EMS, police departments, municipalities, cities, counties, professional associations, and other entities.
Grants.gov: This is the best place to find federal grants, and it is completely free.
Bonus: Instrumentl: This is widely used among nonprofits and higher education. The software makes prospecting easier, efficient, and simpler. You are able to track matches that are best suited and review the funders in detail along with 990 reports, past grantees, median grant amounts, and funding uses.
Hope you find these resources helpful. Good luck with your searches!
