What are Foundation Research Databases?
And why do I need one? Because 90% of foundations do not have a website.
If you are serious about finding funding for your organization or project, you will want to subscribe to a foundation research database to find grant opportunities from the over 240,000 foundations in the United States. Let me walk you through this. Nonprofit organizations, including foundations, are required to submit a 990 tax return to the IRS each year. This information is open to the public, meaning that if you know the name of a foundation, you can review its tax return and learn how much money it has in assets, how much it gave away last year, what organizations it gave money to, how much money it gave them, what the purpose of the grant was, and who is on the foundation’s board of directors. Whew that’s a lot!
But what if you don’t know the name of a foundation? What if you just want to find out if there are any foundations out there that fund projects like yours?
Savvy companies have done the heavy lifting for you. These companies have created foundation research databases that takes all these tax returns and scans them into a database that is searchable down to the key word. Want to know what foundations give grants to animal causes in Wyoming? You can find out. What to know what foundations gave at least $10,000 to a nonprofit organization in Texas that provides services for elders? You can find that out too.
Below is a list of my three favorite foundation databases and the reasons why I recommend them. Some of them even offer discounts for Spark the Fire students, but I loved them before they offered a discount.
instrumentl: The most innovative grants tool
Instrumentl isn’t just another grants database—it’s a game-changer in the world of grant writing. Combining a powerful searchable database with an integrated grants management system, Instrumentl streamlines your work like never before. With advanced features like mapping tools and grants by recipient, it goes the extra mile by sending you personalized prospect suggestions based on your specific search criteria.
It’s the most impressive grants database I’ve come across in a long time, ideal for both nonprofit grant writing and professional grant writing. As a student of Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes, you can enjoy an exclusive offer: $50 off your first month, plus an extended three-week free trial (instead of the usual two weeks).
Pricing starts at $199 per month for the Basic version, with the best version at $299 per month. Annual subscriptions come with additional discounts, making it a great choice for those serious about grant writing.
Free three-week trial →
Use coupon code: SPARKTHEFIRE50 for $50 off the first month!
GrantStation: affordable and user friendly
GrantStation is the perfect choice for those new to grant writing and prospect research. It’s user-friendly and offers access to a wide range of opportunities, including both government grants and foundation funding, making it an excellent tool for nonprofit grant writing.
As a student of Spark the Fire Grantwriting Classes, you can secure a full year’s membership for just $95—an incredible deal compared to the regular price of $695. To take advantage of this exclusive offer, simply contact me for your discount code. It’s a valuable resource for anyone involved in grant writing for nonprofits or seeking professional grant writing tips.is the perfect choice for those new to prospect research. It’s user-friendly and offers access to a wide range of opportunities, including both government grants and foundation funding.
Foundation directory online by candid: The gold standard in foundation research
Foundation Directory Online by Candid is the most comprehensive and reliable foundation database available, making it a cornerstone resource for grant writing professionals. It offers all the advanced features you need at the professional level, making it the go-to resource for in-depth research in writing grants.
One of the key benefits is the flexibility—subscribe for just one month at a time and pause when needed. This makes the $199 per month investment more manageable, especially if you can dedicate focused time to your research. Annual subscriptions come with additional discounts for those looking to save more in the long run. It’s an essential tool for anyone serious about nonprofit grant writing or pursuing a grant writing certification online.