Jake Simon
Founder
Before GrantLedger, I spent years in finance analyzing data that most people never see. When I discovered that the same IRS 990 filings used by billion-dollar data companies were sitting on IRS servers, I saw an opportunity: build the tools that nonprofits need at a price they can actually afford. Today, GrantLedger tracks millions of grants across hundreds of thousands of foundations — the same data that costs nonprofits $1,199/year through Candid Premium, at a quarter the price.
LinkedIn8 articles by Jake Simon
How to Export Your Donor Data from Any Nonprofit CRM
Step-by-step walkthrough to export your donor list from 30+ nonprofit CRMs and giving platforms including Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, Salesforce NPSP, Givebutter, Classy, Donorbox, Kindful, EveryAction, Tithely, Planning Center, and more.
Candid Charges Nonprofits $1,199 for Compensation Data. We Made It Free.
Candid sells its Nonprofit Compensation Report for $1,199 per organization. GrantLedger built a free interactive alternative with more data, personalized percentiles, and board-ready compliance docs.
Best Candid Foundation Directory Alternatives in 2026 (After $3,499 Price Increase)
Candid raised prices to $3,499/year. Compare the best Foundation Directory Online alternatives: GrantLedger ($299/yr), Instrumentl, GrantStation, and free options.
How to Read a Foundation's 990-PF (And What to Look For)
The 990-PF is the single best source of intel on any private foundation. Learn exactly what to look for and what it tells you about your chances of getting funded.
How to Find Foundations That Fund First-Time Grantees
Most foundations give to the same organizations year after year. Here's how to identify the ones actually open to funding new nonprofits.
How to Find Foundation Grants for Your Nonprofit (2026 Guide)
Learn the 3 most effective ways to find foundation grants for your nonprofit. From searching IRS 990 data to using affordable databases like GrantLedger.
Foundation Grants vs. Government Grants: Which Should You Pursue?
Both have pros and cons. Here's a practical breakdown to help you decide where to focus your limited grant-seeking time.
How to Research Grants When You Can't Afford Expensive Databases
You don't need a $1,500 subscription to find funders. Here are the tools and techniques that actually work for small nonprofits.