researching funders

Where do grants come from?

Grants of up to $5,000 most commonly come from foundations. Foundations are (very generally) nonprofits that give funds to other nonprofits. For profit corporations may also make small grants to nonprofits.

How do I find grant opportunities?

Foundations giving small grants often do not publicize widely. Thus, several groups compile lists of grantmakers. The Foundation Center maintains the country's largest searchable index of grantmakers, much of which is online. The Foundation Center also publishes several books and CD-ROMs that list grantmakers. Associated Grant Makers (AGM) has the most complete index of grantmakers giving to New England nonprofits.

Please also check out the NCHC's list of funders and list of current funding opportunities.

Are there any other research tools I can use?

Foundations file 990 or 990-PF forms with the IRS that list the nonprofits that have received donations, along with amounts of the grants. Once you have found a foundation that looks like a fit for your project, you can go to Guidestar to search for the foundation's 990 or 990-PF form online. The form should help you find out whether a particular grantmaker gives funds in your area, gives grants of the size you want to request, and gives to organizations with services like yours. Guidestar also has an extraordinary staff who will quickly respond to your email.

Several online newsletters may also help you. We recommend Funding Update and Grants in Health Bulletin.

How do I know if a grantmaker is appropriate for my organization?

Many grantmakers issue written guidelines that explain what kinds of nonprofits they will fund. A phone call or brief letter to a grantmaker should get you the most recent version of any guidelines. In any case, contact a grantmaker before applying - the contact may prove invaluable for building a relationship.

When reading guidelines, it's important to note:

• Grant size (whether the grantmaker funds grants of the size you are requesting)
• Geographic restrictions (whether the grantmaker will fund in your area)
• Whether the grantmaker will accept proposals that it does not actively solicit
• Deadlines
• Types of funding (e.g. funds for building/renovation, unrestricted support, etc.)
• Priority area (e.g. youth, minorities, mental health)

Read the guidelines thoroughly and follow them to the letter. If they are unclear or do not address a question you have about the proposal process, contact the funder.

How long will it be before I see money?

It usually takes six weeks to six months from the submittal of a proposal to receive a response from a grantmaker. Often guidelines will describe the length of the review process.