How Important Is It for Grant Seekers to Research Grant Funders?

We all know that grant-makers make philanthropic investments, but how do you know which funder to choose? With a little research on a grant funder, grant-seekers can get a leg up and ensure their grant proposal stands out to grant-makers during the review process. Does your cause need grant support? Utilizing the 990 Search Feature at GrantWatch allows grant-seekers to gain insight to a grant-maker’s donation trends. More importantly, grant-seekers who research grant funders gain an understanding of the grant funder’s philanthropic investments. Knowledge is power, and the power is yours with a 990 report.

Improve Your Funding Strategies With 990s

It is critical to research grant funders to ensure that you are applying to grants aligned with your cause. Furthermore, grant-seekers are highly encouraged to research a foundation’s board members. This allows a grant-seekers to understand an organization’s culture. Making these connections, you are often building lasting relationships with grant-makers. A 990 is a multifaceted tool for your organization to find valuable data. Learning how to navigate nonprofit 990 reports will take focus. However, with a little patience, you can be a pro in no time. To illustrate, at the top of a 990 form, you’ll find the organization’s name, address, phone number, website, and description. Part XV, lines 3(a) and 3(b) outlines the grants paid out, allowing insight to type of grants the foundation has awarded. In truth, this information also helps you make the determination of how much to ask for in your proposal.

What Type of Grant-Seeker Are You?

Most grant-seekers are nonprofits which manage programs providing healthy food, education, mental health support, legal counseling, medical research, work training, youth programs, and access to women’s health. However, there are also grants for businesses, individuals like teachers, artists, and more. Below are grants to help you determine what types of grants align with your cause the best.

Grant Support for Nonprofits

1. Grants to USA Nonprofits for a Wide Range of Charitable Activities – Grants to USA nonprofit organizations for a wide range of charitable activities with worldwide benefit. Funding is intended to empower organizations. Focus areas include access to education, child welfare, and social justice. 
2. Funding for USA Nonprofits to Improve & Strengthen Communities – Grants to improve lives, strengthen communities, and advance education, including STEM education in local schools, life skills training for persons with disabilities, capital campaign support for social services, and programs advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children, families in need, and the homeless.
3. Grants to USA Nonprofits and Governmental Units to Advance Social Progress – Grants for programs to advance social progress in multiple states. Funding is for projects, equipment, and capital campaigns focused on community development, food insecurity, and education.
4. Funding to USA Student Teams to Build a High-Altitude Balloon – Grants to USA teams of students in grades 6-12 to design and build an experiment that will be sent on a high-altitude balloon. Winning teams will receive funding, materials, technical support, and a spot on a high-altitude balloon to carry out the experiment.
5. Community Grant Support to USA Nonprofits in Multiple States – Grants of up to $50,000 to USA nonprofit organizations and public and private institutions in multiple states to benefit communities in eligible areas. Applicants must contact the funding source prior to submitting a full proposal. Funding supports programs and projects that focus on strengthening communities, developing leadership, and supporting educational programming.

Grant Funding for Businesses

1. Funding Opportunity for USA Community Solar Developers – Opportunity for USA community solar developers and co-developers to participate in a competition to develop equitable community solar projects to receive monetary prizes, tools, resources, consulting services, training, and coaching on expanding developers’ solar customer markets. This $10 million prize fast-tracks and grows community solar projects. 
2. Grants to For-Profits to Promote Boating – Grants to for-profit entities for activities that promote boating throughout the region. Funding is available for programs that encourage youth participation, introduce boating to new participants, and educate boaters on water safety. The overall goal of these grants is to increase attendance, promote diversity and inclusion, and get new boaters on the water.
3. Grant Funding to USA Businesses Improving Life for Victims of Substance Abuse – Grants to USA small business for the development of technologies to improve health outcomes for people using drugs. Specifically, to create commercially viable products addressing the health consequences of non-disordered drug use.
4. Grants to USA Nonprofits in Multiple States to Improve Local Healthcare, Education, and the Quality of Life – Grants to improve the quality of life of families and individuals in communities for healthcare, education, and community well-being.
5. Grant Support to USA Agricultural Professionals in Multiple States for Agriculture Training – Grants to USA agricultural professionals in multiple states and territories intended to support programs that educate professionals in agricultural sustainability systems and principles.

Hire a Grant Writer

Do you need to hire a grant writer to help you research grant funders and submit grant applications? In truth, only the best grant proposals are considered for funding. Even if you typically write grants yourself, sometimes hiring a grant writer is the best move for your cause. While there is no guarantee you will be awarded a grant to hire a grant writer, first visit GrantWriterTeam.com to post a classified ad for your cause. Qualified grant writers will then contact you directly to negotiate their terms.

To conclude, how important is it for grant seekers to research grant funders? The answer is clear. If you want to write a successful grant application, get to know your potential funders. And always remember, GrantWatch is right beside you, every step of the way!

About GrantWatch

With over 8,500 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. Click here to see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features. Watch the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch, with host Libby Hikind. You don’t want to miss this. Visit us on YouTube weekly. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind.