This week a member of our online community asked: “where can my nonprofit find grants, especially if I don’t have a subscription to a grant database?”
Many nonprofits and grant professionals, like me, use paid grant databases like Grant Station and the Foundation Directory Online. However, there are many low-cost (or free.99) ways to find grants. In fact, I’ve found some of the best grants and funders through free grant research methods and tools. In this post, I’ll cover 10 FREE places nonprofits can find grants plus 3 bonus places nonprofits that have applied for grants in the past, should look for find funders.
1. The Foundation Center (now Candid)
Candid (formerly The Foundation Center) is a great resource for nonprofits looking to learn more about the sector, improve their skills, and find funding. In addition to offering paid access to its Foundation Directory Online, the center also offers FREE access to resources to find information on grantmakers through its Online Quick Start and 990 Finder.
2. Local Library
Many local libraries have education and resources to help you build a thriving nonprofit including access to the paid databases for researching funders. Libraries that are part of the Funding Information Network and have access to the paid database, Foundation Directory Online. Click HERE to see if your library is a part of the Funding Information Network. If they are a part of the network, visit the library and ask how you can access the database. Don’t forget your library card!
3. Local and Community Foundations
Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that focus on improving the lives of people in the specific local geographic area. If your nonprofit is working to solve community problems, Community Foundations might be a great resource for funding your work. You can find these Foundations in your community through various ways including using the Council of Foundation’s list of the recognized Community Foundations by state.
4. Google is Your Friend (most of the time)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve typed into google “Foundations, Washington, DC” or “Target, Community Giving, Grants”. If you already know the name of a Foundation or Corporation, you can conduct a google search to start getting more information. You could conduct a google search using keyword combinations, such as “grants, your city or state” or “the name of a corporation or foundation, grants”. Need help kickstarting your search? Grab the FREE Finding Funders Starter Kit.
5. Retailers, Brands, Corporations
In Grants Demystified video training, I covered that Corporations also provide funding to nonprofits. There is a good chance that your favorite company (mine are Macys, Target, Home Depot, and Lyft) or even the local grocery store provides small grants and sponsorships to local nonprofits and community groups. You could do a google search or visit the community giving section of their websites. You could also simply visit the local store of your favorite retailer and inquire about how they give back to the community.
6. Industry Email Newsletters
Some of the most promising prospects I have found have been from me subscribing to mailing lists that alert me when a foundation or government agency has released a new grant opportunity or request for applications (also known as an RFP). Since I mostly focus on health and health care related grants, I subscribe to a few industry-specific mailing lists to stay the know about RFPs but I also subscribe to general ones as well such as the Philanthropy News Digests RFP Alerts.
7. Other Nonprofits in Your Community
Do you know who’s funding other nonprofits in your community? Is there another nonprofit in your community doing similar work? Perhaps, there is a nonprofit, just a town over, with a similar mission? There are some Foundations and Corporations that support various nonprofits. Look at who is funding similar organizations in your community by visiting the website and/or reading its annual reports of those organizations. Website and annual reports often list top supporters and funders; giving you a few ideas on the top funders in your community.
8. Local Banks
There’s hidden money everywhere — even at your local banks. Visit your local bank and ask who heads up the trust department or community giving at your local bank branches. At Banks, Trust Officers manage trust accounts for individuals and families interested in giving back to communities. These trusts are often not highly advertised sources of grant money.
9. Local Government
Head down to your city and county government agencies. Ask about any public funding available contracts and/or grants opportunities. Also, many local governments share information about grants from Foundations and Corporations either in a weekly email newsletter or on their websites, such as this one from the DC Government and the Governor’s Grants Office of Maryland.
10. Local Networking and Community Events
Attend public events where the “who’s who” crowd will be gathered. Many community events invite contacts from Corporations and Foundations, who have sponsored the event. This could be an opportunity to introduce your nonprofit with a perfect elevator pitch.
.For nonprofits that have either applied for grants before or are more seasoned in their organizational development, here are two more places to find grants to fund your mission.
Bonus 11: Your Board of Directors.
Someone on your Board might know of a funder or its staff and/or Board of Directors who can open doors that were previously closed. Connections of your Board members are also a way to break the ceiling of Foundation’s that require proposal submissions by invite only. Make sure that your Board members have an understanding of your nonprofit’s program elements. Empower your Board of Directors to proactively identify potential funders by providing them with your nonprofit’s elevator pitch and outreach email to funders.
Bonus 12: Your Organization’s Past
You never know a funder from the past might just become your next grant! If your nonprofit applied for grants in the past, digging through that old desk drawer, computer folders, or file cabinet in the corner might help you find funders and grants to consider.
It’s easy for a past grant, that was awarded to your nonprofit, to fall off the radar amid staff changes and juggling the many daily tasks of nonprofit life. Also, don’t dismiss the funders that rejected your nonprofit’s application for funding. Perhaps, the timing and fit were not right at that time. Connecting with funders, whether they awarded your nonprofit or not, is an opportunity to introduce yourself and re-introduce your organization to determine if the funder is a fit for your present or future.
Bonus 13: Grants.gov for Federal Government Grants
Once you have mastered the fundamentals and have a strong track record, we might consider seeking grants from the federal government. You can find federal grant opportunities at grants.gov. Make sure your nonprofit has met all the requirements for government grants before applying.
Where You Should Go Next
When you submit the right proposal, at the right time to the right funder, you increase your chances of getting the grant. When you focus on finding the right funders to support your nonprofit, you’ll be able to serve more people and impact more lives, creating real possibilities for your nonprofit and community. To help you kickstart your grant search journey, download my finding funders starter kit and get the steps you need to take to start finding grant funders most likely to support your nonprofit.
