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.
Candid Premium for nonprofits is $1,199/year ($3,499 for funders and consultants). Instrumentl starts at $299/month. For a small nonprofit, that's still more than many grants you'd win. Here's how to do professional-grade research without the professional-grade price tag.
Free Resources That Actually Work
1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
The best free tool for foundation research. You can search any nonprofit's 990 filings, see their financials, and download the actual tax forms. The interface is dated but the data is solid.
Best for: Looking up specific foundations you already know about.
2. Your State's Attorney General Database
Many states require charities to register. Some (like California and New York) have searchable databases of registered nonprofits. This can surface local foundations that don't show up in national searches.
3. Community Foundation Grant Lists
Most community foundations publish their recent grants. Search "[your city] community foundation grants" and look for their annual report or grants database. This shows you which local organizations are getting funded.
4. Your Peers' Annual Reports
Find 5-10 nonprofits similar to yours. Check their websites for annual reports or "supporters" pages. The foundations listed there have already validated your type of work.
The DIY Research Process
Step-by-step:
- List 10 similar nonprofits in your area
- Find their funders via annual reports
- Look up each foundation on ProPublica
- Download their 990-PF
- Check Part XV for grant amounts and recipients
- Note which ones fund orgs your size
This works. But it takes 2-3 hours per foundation to do properly.
When Free Isn't Enough
Free tools work for targeted research on specific foundations. They're painful for discovery—finding NEW foundations you don't already know about.
If you're spending more than 5 hours/week on research, a paid tool will pay for itself in time saved.
The Middle Ground: Affordable Paid Options
Not all paid tools cost $1,500/year. Here's the reality:
| Tool | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Candid (FDO) | $1,199 nonprofit / $3,499 standard | Nonprofits + larger institutions |
| Instrumentl | ~$3,600 | Grant tracking + research |
| GrantLedger | $299 | Foundation discovery + 990 data |
| Free tools | $0 | Occasional, targeted lookups |
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