Online Resources for Researching Grant Funders: A Comprehensive Guide to Why Grant Research Matters
By Bonnie Hilory
At Nonprofit Accelerator, we emphasize the critical importance of thorough grant research. Effective research helps you:
Create a qualified pipeline for your grant writers to submit LOIs, applications for open calls, and proposals for invitation-only opportunities
Identify funders for the long-term research needed for "must be invited to apply" funders
Shift your approach to first understand funders' goals and interests before aligning them with your nonprofit's needs and opportunities
Dramatically improve your success rate and reduce wasted effort
Anticipate an average of 2 to 3 hours per funding opportunity to research. Large foundations could take up to 8 hours
How do you know if your research needs improvement?
Be honest about how many rejections you've received. Consistent rejections often indicate a misalignment between your proposals and funders' priorities. In rare situations, your nonprofit may be difficult to align with funders, and your funding strategy may be better suited for sponsorships or individual giving.
Best Practices for Grant Research
Embrace Alignment Through Research
Red Flag: We frequently encounter organizations wanting to skip research and move directly to grant writing. This approach rarely succeeds.
Quality research validates whether a grant opportunity is worth pursuing or would waste time and financial resources. Having difficult conversations about misalignment with funders is challenging but necessary for long-term success.
Involve Your Grant Writer Early
Particularly with government grants, informational sessions are crucial. Too often, nonprofit leaders reach out after NOFA information sessions have concluded or when the question period is closed. While recorded sessions may be available, missing the opportunity to ask questions can significantly handicap your application.
Note: NOFA means a Notice of Funding Availability issued by the Department to announce the availability of Program Funds, the terms and conditions of awards, and requirements for the submittal.
Recommended Online Research Resources
Don't let budget constraints limit your research capabilities. Consider asking a donor or your board to help fund these essential tools if your nonprofit cannot. Here are valuable resources to consider (last updated March 2025):
Free Resources:
Local Libraries
Many libraries offer access to premium grant databases
Example: Seattle Public Library Nonprofit Resources
Library of Congress Nonprofit Resources
Cost: Your time to visit (most libraries require on-site access)
990 Finder
Candid's 990 Finder
Cost: Free
Benefits: Verify foundation resources, mission, funding recipients, distribution levels, and leadership
Caution: IRS processing delays mean many 990s may be outdated by typically 2 to three years
Grants.gov
Government-operated site for federal grant opportunities
Cost: Free
Caution: Setup can be challenging and the interface is not user-friendly; plan for significant search time
HANO List
Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations
Curated grant opportunities, some relevant beyond Hawaii
Cost: Free
Usage Tip: Use their search tool to filter for relevant opportunities
Subscription Resources:
Chronicle of Philanthropy with GrantStation
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Cost: 1 year $109, 2 years $169, webinars $89 each (on-demand)
https://www.philanthropy.com/subscribe/?PK=M1224&cid=MH1WH1 (great price for Grant Station)
National-focused magazine with GrantStation access included
Features people profiles, advice, opinion sections, and reports on major donors
GrantStation
Cost: Quarterly $219, yearly $699, two years $1,258 (10% discount)
Or try Tech Soup: https://www.techsoup.org/products/grantstation-discounted-g-2575- ($199)
Or often bundled with other memberships such as Grant Professionals Association
Benefits: Affordable option for smaller nonprofits
Caution: Organizations sometimes stay with this platform due to familiarity when other tools might offer more comprehensive information
Inside Philanthropy (IP)
Cost: For an individual, the cost is under $400. They offer a team rate as well
Benefits: Breaking news, funder profiles
People finder provides: staff contact information of funders (must be a paid subscriber)
Unique insights on funder transparency and accessibility
Caution: Some funder and staff information may be outdated as this is curated by humans. However, this is a wonderful resource
Candid - Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Cost: $1,599/year for one user, $219.99/month
For nonprofits with a budget size of $1,000,000, once your nonprofit has Gold or Platinum status you can apply for a free version of Essentials. See this link for details
Database of over 24.9 million grants
Benefits: Widely considered the premium research tool; excellent for competitor analysis
Caution: Recently announced significant price increases
Grant Watch
Cost: Weekly $18, monthly $45, quarterly $90, annually $199 (pricing link is here)
Nearly 8,000 active grants across U.S., Canada, Israel, and globally
Caution: Limited search functionality and location-specific pre-approval required
Instrumentl
New competitor to Foundation Directory Online
Cost: See pricing link here /month annually (based on projects and users)
Benefits: Strong search engine and excellent onboarding
Caution: One of the most expensive services; proprietary data storage means you lose access if you cancel
Additional Resources to Explore
The Grant Scape - Professional community and resource hub for grant seekers
GrantForward - Science and academic-focused grant database
GrantSelect - Comprehensive database of funding opportunities
ProPublica - Nonprofit database with transparency tools
NIH - National Institutes of Health grants database
IMLS - Institute of Museum and Library Services funding opportunities
Local Washington State Engagement Opportunities
Funders Forums
Puget Sound Grant Writers Association
Seattle (A Friday in Spring) and South Sound Funders Forum (November/December)
Direct interaction with foundation and corporate funders with an opportunity to ask questions in a small group break out session
Cost:
PSGA Members: $45
All Others: $75
Scholarship Rate: $15*
Session Monitor Rate: $0**
Membership is annual: $115 Annual
Conclusion
Thorough grant research is the foundation of successful nonprofit fundraising. By utilizing these resources and following best practices, you can significantly improve your grant application success rate and build stronger relationships with funders who align with your mission.
Contributed by Bonnie Hilory, Nonprofit Accelerator, LLC | Last updated March 2025
Contact: info@nonprofitaccelerator.biz