Grant research guides
Practical, plain-language guides for small nonprofits doing their own grant research.
How to find grants for your nonprofit
A step-by-step method for small nonprofits: where grants actually come from, how to search public filings and how to tell a real prospect from a long shot.
How to research private foundations
What to check about a private foundation before contacting it: giving history, typical grant size, geography, application rules and red flags.
How to read Form 990-PF
Which parts of a private foundation's Form 990-PF matter to grant seekers, what Part XV tells you and what the form cannot tell you.
How to evaluate grant eligibility
A checklist for deciding whether your nonprofit is eligible for a grant: applicant type, 501(c)(3) status, geography, budget, deadlines and invitation-only funders.
How to build a grant prospect list
How to turn search results into a ranked list of funders worth contacting, what columns to keep and how to prioritize.