How to Find Grants That Match Your Mission
The Challenge of Grant Discovery
With thousands of foundations, government agencies, and corporate giving programs offering grants, finding the right opportunities can feel overwhelming. Many nonprofits waste valuable time applying for grants that don't align with their mission or capacity—time that could be spent on programs that make a difference.
The key to successful grant seeking isn't applying to as many grants as possible. It's finding the grants where you have the highest probability of success.
Understanding Funder Priorities
Before you start searching, you need to understand what funders are looking for. Different types of funders have different priorities:
Private Foundations: Often focus on specific issue areas and geographic regions. They typically value innovation and measurable outcomes.
Government Grants: Usually have strict eligibility requirements and detailed reporting obligations. They often fund larger, more established programs.
Corporate Foundations: Frequently align with the company's business interests and may prioritize employee engagement opportunities.
Community Foundations: Focus on local impact and may offer more flexibility for smaller organizations.
Building Your Grant Prospect List
A strategic approach to grant research includes:
Start with your network: Ask peer organizations about their funders. Board members may have connections to foundations or corporate giving programs.
Research your competitors: Look at the annual reports of similar organizations. Who's funding them? Those funders might be interested in your work too.
Use grant databases: Tools like GrantMatcher aggregate thousands of funding opportunities and help you filter by issue area, geographic focus, and grant size.
Set up alerts: Many foundations announce new programs throughout the year. Stay informed about opportunities in your field.
Evaluating Grant Fit
Not every grant is worth pursuing. Before investing time in an application, ask yourself:
- Does our mission align with the funder's priorities?
- Do we meet all eligibility requirements?
- Is the grant size appropriate for our organization?
- Can we realistically accomplish what's required?
- Do we have the capacity to manage reporting requirements?
The GrantMatcher Advantage
Finding grants shouldn't be a full-time job. GrantMatcher's intelligent matching system analyzes your organization's profile and connects you with relevant opportunities automatically. Our platform saves you hours of research time and helps you focus on grants where you have the best chance of success.
Create your free profile today and discover grants that match your mission.
