The Problem: Too Many Grants, Not Enough Right Ones
Many non-profits waste valuable time chasing grants that aren’t a great fit, leading to low success rates, burnout, and misaligned funding. The real question isn’t just where to find grants—it’s how to find the right grants that align with your mission, funding capacity, and long-term goals.
Where to Look for Targeted Grant Opportunities
Here’s where experienced grant seekers should be focusing their time and effort:
Private & Corporate Foundations That Already Fund Similar Work
Where to Look
- Candid/Foundation Directory Online – The most comprehensive private funder database.
- GrantStation – Great for tracking trends in corporate and private foundation giving.
- CSR Reports & Corporate Giving Programs – Many corporations publish annual impact reports detailing their funding priorities.
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Pro Tip
Use government directories to see exactly who a foundation has funded in the past—this helps you determine whether your non-profit is truly a fit.
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Government Grants That Aren’t Widely Advertised
Where to Look
- Grants.gov & SAM.gov – Standard federal grant sources, but they’re highly competitive.
- State & Local Government Websites – Many states and municipalities have underutilized funding that’s easier to secure.
- Specialized Agency Grants – e.g., The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for cultural organizations, Department of Agriculture for rural development initiatives.
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Pro Tip
Many government grants are awarded year after year to the same organizations—find out who won last year’s grant and analyze their proposal.
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Cause-Specific & Issue-Based Funders
Where to Look