How to find grants for nonprofits: Helpful tips and sources

In early 2025, the U.S. government implemented significant cuts to federal grant funding, creating challenges for nonprofits that depend on these resources. Government grants support nonprofits in every state, and over 95% of counties have at least one public charity that receives government grants. Further, 60-80% of nonprofits that receive government grants could fail to cover their expenses if government funding remains frozen or disappears.

This move has left many nonprofits seeking alternative funding sources, whether through individual donations, corporate giving, grants from private foundations, planned gifts, or emerging giving avenues like cryptocurrency.

Despite these changes, valuable grant opportunities still exist. Securing the right grants can make a big difference for your mission, whether you’re looking to expand a program, improve services, or launch a new initiative. To help, we’ll explore how to find grants for nonprofits and set your proposals up for success.

Understanding your nonprofit’s grant eligibility

When finding grants, you need to review the eligibility criteria for each opportunity to ensure your nonprofit qualifies before applying. Here are some common factors that funders look for when assessing applications:

• Mission alignment: Funders seek nonprofits whose missions and activities align with their funding priorities, whether in education, healthcare, or another field.
• Population served: Grantmakers want to choose organizations that impact the people they care most about, such as children, seniors, low-income communities, or other underserved populations.
• Geographic area: Many nonprofit grants are limited to certain cities, states, or countries, so check for geographic restrictions when finding grants.
• Legitimacy: Funders often limit eligibility to nonprofits that are recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Thoroughly review these factors for every grant opportunity, so you only apply for grants that are a good fit, saving your time and resources.

Where to find grants for nonprofits

With so many sources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to find the right funding opportunities. From grant databases to corporate giving programs, a simple Google search can lead you to several options. The key is to explore a variety of avenues to maximize your chances of securing support.

Let's explore some helpful resources for finding grants for your nonprofit.

General grant databases

Grant databases make it easy to find grants for nonprofits! They are powerful tools for streamlining your search since they compile a variety of grants from various sources, such as government programs, foundations, and corporations. Popular examples include:

• Candid: Candid's paid database called Foundation Directory provides detailed information on foundation grants, corporate giving programs, and government opportunities. It’s a widely used resource for finding private foundation grants.
• GrantStation: This platform provides a searchable database of both U.S. and international grant opportunities from government, corporate, and private foundations.
• GrantWatch: This database includes grants for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals across various sectors, including arts, education, healthcare, and technology. Its comprehensive database lists state, local, and private grants.

With grant databases, users can usually filter search results based on specific criteria like subject area, geographic region, and eligibility requirements. This makes it easier to find grants that align with your nonprofit's mission.

Some platforms require you to pay while others are free to use. Paid options are generally efficient for accessing a curated list of opportunities.

Federal grant databases

In FY24, Congress designated $14.6 billion for 8,098 projects. Nineteen federal agencies are responsible for distributing and monitoring the use of those funds. Even with the cuts to federal funding this year, federal grants are still a strong source of funding for nonprofits.

The primary portal for finding federal grants is Grants.gov, where nonprofits can search for available opportunities, apply for funding, and track the status of their applications.

These grants typically have stringent requirements, such as detailed reporting, but they can provide substantial support for programs.

State and local government websites

State and local governments offer grants tailored to regional needs and priorities. State departments or local agencies typically administer these grants, which commonly cover areas like community development, education, the arts, and public health.

Check state websites and local government portals to find information about available funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, and application processes. For example, the State of California manages a portal for nonprofits, businesses, and other entities seeking state grants.

The portal lists funding opportunities across various sectors and allows users to:

• Search for available grants in specific categories
• Access application guidelines
• Track deadlines for different opportunities

You might also reach out to local government officials or their offices to ask about their grant programs.

Private foundation websites

Private foundations are nonprofits that provide grants to other organizations, often focusing on specific causes such as the environment, education, or healthcare. For example, you may have heard of these major private foundations that provide grants:

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Founded by Bill and Melinda Gates, this foundation is one of the largest in the world. It funds initiatives that align with its goals of improving health, providing economic opportunities, and addressing social inequality.
• Ford Foundation: This foundation funds initiatives aimed at reducing economic, racial, and social inequality. The foundation works globally, focusing on empowering marginalized communities and promoting policies that protect human rights. Check out its current grant opportunities.
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Founded by breakfast cereal mogul W.K. Kellogg, this foundation supports children and families in vulnerable communities. It focuses on improving health, education, and economic security for children, with an emphasis on racial equity and inclusion. Explore their page designed for grantseekers to learn more.

There are also many smaller foundations that make grants to different causes. To find foundation grants for your nonprofit, either visit specific foundations' websites, use one of the grant databases we mentioned, or conduct a Google search for your cause area.

Corporate giving programs

Many companies have foundations or corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to support charitable causes. Popular examples include Google.org, The Home Depot Foundation, and the Wells Fargo Foundation.

To find grants for nonprofits from corporations, we recommend searching companies' websites and paying special attention to those that run foundations. Your best bet for winning funding is to look at companies that operate in your area.

There are also other types of grants that your supporters can help you win. For example, companies offer:

• Matching gifts: Companies will match employees' donations to eligible nonprofits. Usually, this is at a 1:1 ratio (e.g., a $50 match for a $50 donation, totaling $100).
• Volunteer grants: Companies will award grants to nonprofits where their employees volunteer. This is a set amount, such as $25 per hour or $500 for volunteering 20 hours.

Upon donating or volunteering, the individual must submit a form on behalf of your nonprofit. Your team may have to confirm the individual's donation amount or volunteer hours with the business. Then, the company will send you a grant. To find these grants, you'll want to use a corporate giving database like Double the Donation Matching or Double the Donation Volunteering, which makes it easy to find available opportunities and follow up with eligible supporters.

While a slightly different process of requesting funding, workplace giving programs like these are a fantastic source of revenue while also boosting supporter engagement.

Tips for effective grant research and applications

Knowing how to find grants for nonprofits is just the beginning. You need to follow best practices to craft killer proposals and actually win that funding. Let's explore a few strategies your team can follow.

Have clear goals for awarded funds.

Start with a clear understanding of why you need funding. Are you seeking support for a specific program, general operating expenses, or capital improvements? Identifying the purpose of the funds you're seeking will help you target the right opportunities and communicate your goals to the funder.

Additionally, assess your nonprofit's capacity for receiving grants. Are you prepared for the complexities of managing a federal grant, or would private funding be a better fit for your current needs and capacity?

Conduct thorough research on grantmakers.

Effective grant research is essential for finding the right funding opportunities and tailoring your proposals. Look into each grantmaker's:

• Specific areas or causes they support (e.g., education, health, community development, the arts)
• Previous projects or organizations they have funded
• Eligibility criteria

Remember to stay vigilant and avoid scams. Only apply to legitimate opportunities and verify funders through trusted sources. You might check IRS databases and seek feedback from other organizations that have applied for the same funding. A few red flags that indicate a potential spam are application fees or "guaranteed" funding opportunities.

Update your online presence.

Before submitting grant applications, ensure your nonprofit’s online presence is up-to-date. Many grantmakers will check your website, social media, and nonprofit databases to verify legitimacy and impact.

A professional online presence builds trust with funders by showing them you take pride in your appearance and accomplishments. Take time to refresh your site and online profiles to reflect your mission and impact clearly.

Connect with funders before applying.

Don't cold-submit an application if you can help it. When finding grants for your nonprofit, reach out to introduce your nonprofit, ask questions, and show interest in their work. Connecting early establishes rapport and provides insights into their priorities.

Our nonprofit grant writing guide provides a convenient checklist for building relationships with grantmakers to follow before and after winning funding:

• Reach out with a warm introduction by phone or email to inquire about their opportunities.
• Invite grantmakers to your nonprofit's events, programs, or physical site to show your impact.
• Go to conferences or community events that funders will attend so you can initiate conversations.
• Follow with a personalized thank-you note after meetings or visits to show appreciation.
• Share periodic updates on your nonprofit's impact in line with the funder's requirements if you win a grant.

A proactive approach shows funders that you are committed to responsibly using funds to drive impact. This can give you an edge when pursuing grant opportunities.

Have a post-award grant management plan.

Once you secure funding, it’s crucial to have a post-award grant management plan in place. Funders want to see that you can effectively manage and track the awarded funds. This includes:

• Keeping detailed records
• Adhering to reporting requirements
• Ensuring funds are used as outlined in your proposal

A strong management plan not only ensures compliance but also helps build trust with funders for future grant opportunities. Many nonprofits leverage grant management tools to simplify the process of tracking each grant’s application status, meeting deadlines, organizing documents, and complying with funder requirements throughout the entire grant lifecycle.

Final thoughts on finding grants

The fundraising landscape constantly changes. While the recent cuts to federal grant funding have created challenges, they also highlight the need for organizations to diversify their revenue sources and explore new opportunities.

Now that you know how to find grants for nonprofits, you can start identifying opportunities that align with your organization's goals. With persistence, your nonprofit can win grants to power its valuable work.

For more grant management advice, check out these resources:

• Top grant writing software picks and supplemental tools
• Can you use AI for grant writing? What you need to know
• Using ChatGPT for grant writing: FAQ guide for nonprofits