The hard part of applying for grants is upfront...the research.
Finding grant opportunities and information about possible funders is an ongoing project for any grant seeker. There are dozens of resources and some of the best are online. Bookmark these sites and visit them often.
1. The Foundation Center
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The Foundation Center is a good resource for almost anything related to funding by foundations. The nonprofit Center sends out a free email newsletter called Arts Funding Watch as well as its free RFP Bulletin which gives listings of newly announced requests for proposals.
There is also a "Foundation Finder" that allows you to look up basic information on foundations, a Philanthropy News Digest, and links to other helpful sites.
You can also subscribe to The Foundation Directory Online. This comprehensive database details a foundation's funding priorities, and past grants it has made. The Directory is also available on a CD-ROM, with access to over 91,000 foundations, corporate donors, and public charities.
2. BIG Online
A for-profit resource, BIG Online provides online and telephone assistance for navigating the various tools on its website. Also offers online classes to learn more about the features of its extensive database, which contains grantmakers' 990's, and a trove of relevant articles.
3. Foundation Search America
Also a for-profit resource, very similar to BIG Online. Popular resource available to nonprofits for a fee. Offers the ability to conduct in-depth analysis of prospective foundations.
4. GrantStation
GrantStation is an interactive website that allows grantseekers to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects, and mentors them through the grantseeking process. Searchable database of grantmakers who are activily accepting inquiries and proposals, federal grant deadlines, online tutorials, and frequent webinars. This site requires fee-based membership, although some features are free.5. The Philanthropy Journal
Published by the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, the Journal publishes news about foundations, recent surveys about fundraising trends, and other nonprofit issues. This is a website, not a printed Journal, and you can subscribe to its free electronic newsletter.
6. Grants.Gov
This U.S. government website has lots of useful information for nonprofits, including announcements of federal grants.
7. Guidestar
Guidestar provides information on all kinds of nonprofits, including foundations. You can register for free and use the advanced search capabilities which allows access to Form 990s, 990-PFs, and other publications.
8. The Grantsmanship Center
Click "Sources of Funding Information" at this site and you will find links to today's Federal Register, and to community foundation websites, listed by state.
9. Community Foundation Locator
The Community Foundation Locator is sponsored by the Council on Foundations. The website displays a map of the U.S. where you can click on your region to pull up a list of its local community foundations and links to those foundation websites.
10. Center for Civic Partnerships
You can search grant opportunities at this site by topic and by U.S. state. Just click on "Funding Sources."
11. The Chronicle of Philanthropy
The Chronicle is an excellent source of news on the foundation and nonprofit world, and there is a grants database. You do have to subscribe, however, to access the database. There are a limited number of articles available for free.
Don't forget that you should call the foundation or agency you are interested in to request a copy of its annual report and grant guidelines. These are often online and can be downloaded.
