Grant research. It’s one of those tasks that nonprofit professionals know they should be doing more regularly, but day-to-day responsibilities, unexpected rush projects, and the never-ending stream of “more urgent” tasks often push it to the backburner.
Grant funding can be a critical source of income that many nonprofits can’t afford to ignore. And beyond project or general operating support, funders can become incredible long-term partners in helping nonprofits accomplish their mission. However, the work involved in researching opportunities, checking eligibility requirements, tracking deadlines, and ensuring you’re not duplicating your own work can be daunting.
Grant research doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task, and it doesn’t have to eat up your entire work week. Approached the right way, grant research can fit into even the busiest schedule, and these six tips will help you build a process you can actually stick with.
1. Have a clear vision for your search.
Knowing what exactly needs funding is the first step in any search. You’ll waste precious time aimlessly scrolling and searching if you’re unable to narrow down your search parameters. So, start at the beginning:
- Do you need funding for a specific project, or general operating funds?
- Are you looking for a specific dollar amount, or are you willing to accept in-kind donations?
- What is your funding timeline?
- Are you interested in private foundations, corporate giving programs, or federal grants?
Another important thing to consider is the time you’re able to commit to the application process (and the reporting process if funded). You might be surprised to find that some smaller grants have more lengthy application processes than larger grants. Knowing what you’re able to commit to the process will help you quickly eliminate opportunities that aren’t a good fit.
2. Know where to look.
While random Google searches might occasionally yield good results, if you want to become truly efficient in your grant research, finding and using the right tools is crucial.
Paid Databases
Perhaps the golden standard of grants research is using a paid database service. Many have the benefits of built-in project management software, grant proposal writing tools, and tailored funder recommendations. There are many options, and each have pros and cons. Here are a few we have used and recommend:
- Candid (Formerly Foundation Directory) – Benefits include the deepest research database available, with a massive number of funder profiles and grants. However, Candid has no tracking or pipeline software included, so you’ll likely be exporting your findings elsewhere.
- GrantStation – The most affordable option of the three, with over 15,000 curated opportunities. They also run periodic discounts to help smaller organizations afford access. One downside (besides the smaller database) is that GrantStation primarily features open and active opportunities, which means grantseekers might not discover funders worth building a relationship with for the future.
- Intsrumentl – This database is great for pipeline management, including grant research, deadline tracking, and task assignments. It also has helpful built-in insights and data visualization. The downsides are that it’s the most expensive of the three, and it seems to be better suited for larger grant teams—it may be too robust for smaller organizations.
Networking
Grant opportunities can be found in surprising places, including your professional network. Look through your LinkedIn connections and alumni networks—you never know where a personal email sent to a former colleague could lead!
Check if your state or region has an association of nonprofits, as they may provide member discounts or publish helpful funder lists exclusive to your area. Additionally, many organizations supporting nonprofits have Listservs where you can connect with other professionals and find lesser-known grant opportunities. Subscribing to the newsletters of foundations you are interested in is a quick and free way to hear about new and exclusive grant opportunities.
Other Places to Check
A good question to ask is, “Who is funding organizations similar to ours?” Check regularly to see what funders your peer organizations are attracting, and consider where your organization might also be a good fit. A good place look is checking the peer organization’s website and annual report.
Your local library may be another surprising source of free research tools. For example: Candid partners with libraries across the country to offer free access to their resources. Many libraries offer advanced research tools and continuing education courses exclusive to library card holders.
3. Brush up on your research skills.
Save yourself time and frustration by making sure you’re looking in the right places for grant information. Tools like Candid, GrantStation, and Instrumentl often pull grant information into their databases, but it’s important to verify that information against what’s available on the funder’s website.
As you evaluate an opportunity, make sure you’re checking the funder’s mission, grantmaking priorities, and current open opportunities for the most up-to-date information. Don’t skim over the eligibility requirements—there’s nothing more frustrating that beginning a grant proposal only to realize your organization is ineligible!
A funder’s giving history can also be an excellent information source for determining alignment. Some funders publish this information directly on their website, but for some funders you’ll have to check their Form 990. If you subscribe to Candid, GrantStation, or Instrumentl, you may find a Grants Awarded section, helpfully extracted from the Form 990.
4. Do the actual research!
Do you find yourself frequently re-adding “Grant Research” to your to-do list? Another week has gone by, and other priorities have won out. Now that you’re equipped with some ideas to put your best foot forward, it’s time to do the actual research. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Schedule a time – Choose a time each week when you’re wide awake and have no distractions.
- Break it up – Maybe the first week of the month, you gather a large pool of prospects. Then the next week, you read over all eligibility requirements. The next week, you compile detailed notes for 3-5 promising options. You get the idea!
- Set small goals – Think small and manageable. Make one goal for yourself and your grant research each month, and encourage a colleague to help keep you accountable.
Give yourself grace as you shift into a new research routine, and recognize that there will be disruptions and setbacks along the way. The ultimate goal is not perfection, or millions of dollars in grant money awarded (though that would be great!). The goal is to make consistent, steady progress in applying for more grants and developing relationships with potential funders, instead of putting the work off until later.
5. Keep a log of your findings.
Even if it seems tedious now, keeping a log for your grant research will save you time in the long run. Something as simple as the name of the funder and the reason why you chose to pursue (or not pursue) a grant opportunity can be helpful information. As you dive deeper into grant research, it can be challenging to keep track of every funder in your brain, along with all the other important things you must remember for work and life.
A log can be a Word document or spreadsheet, with sections for the funder name, website, alignment with your organization, and grant deadlines. Or you can use a tool like Airtable, which offers helpful tools for visualization and more dynamic ways to connect data. Additionally, many grant research tools (particularly Instrumentl) offer excellent built-in data tracking tools.
6. Know when it’s time to reach out for help.
Perhaps you’ve laid all the groundwork, you have a strategy in mind, and you’ve blocked off time on your calendar. You’ve set goals, and you’re ready to jump into grant research…but then crisis after crisis hits, and before you know it, you’ve spent weeks and months putting out fires.
Or maybe you’ve tried to do grant research several times, but you find the work more frustrating than it should be. You know your skills and talents would be better utilized in other areas, but you also can’t ignore the potential of grant funding.
For whatever reason, if grant research isn’t working for you—we’re here to help.
Our services span the full lifecycle of grant development and funder communications, including strategic grant prospect research. We take the time to learn your organization, programs, funding needs, and goals—then conduct in-depth prospect research to identify well-aligned grant opportunities.
Ready to learn more? Find a full menu of our services here, or reach out to us directly here.
You can do this!
Grant research doesn’t have to be intimidating, but it can be hard to know where to begin. Before you get burned out on the spin cycle of same-old, same-old, try putting these six tips into practice and see where small, actionable goals and a clear vision will take you. Your investment now may open many doors for the future—you never know where a little research might lead!
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