Finding grant opportunities can be one of the biggest challenges for nonprofits.
With over $500 billion awarded annually by the U.S. government alone, grants offer vital resources to help organizations achieve their missions and make a lasting impact.
If you’re struggling to locate the proper grants for your nonprofit, your search ends here.
In this article, we have provided a list of ten reputable sources, each offering a vast database of free grant funding options for various needs and projects.
Each source is presented with critical details to help you find the best fit for your organization. Enjoy!
Jump to
Top Places Nonprofits Can Grants
1. Grants Station
GrantStation is a free grant search engine that provides essential tools and resources to help nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and other grant seekers find funding opportunities.
Their services are designed to support organizations throughout the grant-seeking process.
How GrantStation Helps Nonprofits
Grant Databases
GrantStation’s membership provides access to a comprehensive database of private foundations, corporate foundations, community foundations, corporate contribution programs, faith-based funders, and association grant programs.
The database is tailored for U.S., Canadian, and international grant seekers, offering detailed profiles with contact information, funding priorities, geographic scope, and application guidelines.
Educational Resources
GrantStation offers webinars and online courses on key grant-seeking topics, including proposal writing, strategy development, and understanding sector trends.
Newsletters
GrantStation publishes newsletters such as the GrantStation Insider and GrantStation International Insider, which update upcoming funding opportunities in the U.S. and internationally.
Nonprofits can apply for these opportunities and get the grants they seek.
Planning and Proposal Tools
Membership includes access to tools for developing grant strategies and writing proposals, offering practical guidance to enhance the grant-seeking process.
Customer Service: GrantStation is known for providing responsive, person-to-person customer service and supporting members with questions or challenges.
Membership Pricing
GrantStation offers several membership options:
- One Year: $699
- Two Years: $1,258 (10% savings)
- Three Years: $1,782 (15% savings)
- One Quarter: $219
Periodic promotions and volume discounts will be available to make memberships more accessible.
GrantStation helps nonprofits efficiently identify funding opportunities, access educational resources, and use planning tools to improve their grant-seeking efforts.
GrantStation offers a valuable set of tools and services for organizations looking to streamline their grant search and proposal process.
Official Website:
2. Foundation Directory Online
This is another tremendous resource for Nonprofits looking to secure funds for their initiatives. It works similarly to Grants Station and acts as a Foundations directory with a list of all the foundations willing to donate grants to Nonprofits.
The website provides most grants for free. However, a paid subscription allows access to more Nonprofit grant opportunities.
You can use this website for free by contacting your local library or Nonprofit center, or you can subscribe to a paid subscription plan to access the foundation directory online.
You can search with their membership and access to thousands of grant opportunities.
Official Website:
3. Global Giving
GlobalGiving is an online platform that helps nonprofits raise funds by connecting them with individual donors and companies.
Instead of direct grant applications, nonprofits create a profile, share their projects, and receive donations through fundraising campaigns on the site.
Key Features
- Create personalized pages to receive donations securely.
- Access workshops, networking, and resource libraries.
- Send thank-you notes, reports, and appeals to donors.
- Join campaigns for extra funding opportunities.
- Boost visibility with GlobalGiving’s ratings and certifications.
- Donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. and UK.
- Partner with local groups to aid crisis recovery.
- Teams in multiple countries assist nonprofits and donors.
Platform fees and Subscriptions
GlobalGiving does not charge application or subscription fees. Instead, it keeps a 5-12% fee on donations plus a 3% transaction fee, which helps it cover the costs of platform operations and promotional efforts.
Community Impact
Since 2002, GlobalGiving has generated over $954 million in donations, supported nearly 38,000 projects in 175+ countries, and helped nonprofits connect with new donors and increase their fundraising reach.
Official Website:
4. Grant Gopher
Grant Gopher offers a grant research database tailored for nonprofits, schools, and municipalities.
It allows users to search for grants by state, county, program, and keywords. The free plan provides a lot of value for nonprofits seeking grants.
Pro members will get provided tools to save searches, set up email alerts, and track individual grants.
Official Website:
5. Community foundations
Community Foundation Locator is a useful resource for nonprofits seeking grants. Unlike another website that provides direct links to grant applications, this website is like a Foundations directory, providing a list of communities across the U.S. that offer funding to local nonprofits.
You can search for communities in your city or area and contact them for grant opportunities.
These community foundations focus on various issues and support nonprofits that align with their goals. While many donations are donor-based, community foundations can also provide funding to nonprofits that match their mission.
To maximize your chances, identify communities that closely align with your initiative. Contact their grant officers or program managers for details on available grants and assistance with the application process.
The website features a map that shows all community foundations in specific cities or areas. Use this map to find the community foundations nearest to you.
Official Website:
Community Foundation Locator | Council on Foundations (cof.org)
6. Grants.gov
This is one of the best resources for getting Grants for Nonprofits. It has huge amounts of grants ready to be donated to Nonprofits and charities. However, all the funds are from US federal grants.
This is not for beginners looking to secure grants for their Nonprofit.
They have strict conditions for approving the grants. Your Nonprofit should have previous experience receiving such a large amount and spending it impactfully.
If you can provide such authenticity and experience, you will have a good chance of securing grants from Grants.gov.
Official Website:
7. Grant Makers.io
Grant Makers is a valuable tool for nonprofits looking for grants.
It provides a list of all donors who have contributed recently, helping nonprofits identify those who have supported similar causes.
This data can be used to connect with potential donors, share your nonprofit’s mission and initiatives, and explore funding opportunities.
Official Website:
Grantmakers.io – A Community Project
8. Animal Funding Atlas
The Animal Funding Atlas aims to bridge the gap between grantmakers and nonprofits dedicated to animal welfare. The site has aggregated data on over 1,000 grants totaling approximately $500 million in available funds.
This resource simplifies the often complex world of grant applications by offering detailed profiles on each funding opportunity, including eligibility requirements and submission timelines.
Nonprofit leaders can use this tool to efficiently identify grants that align with their mission, potentially unlocking crucial resources needed for impactful projects.
In a world where wildlife conservation and animal rescue efforts face increasing financial constraints, such a platform becomes indispensable. It guides organizations toward sustainable funding solutions and empowers them to make a real difference.
9. Formula Grants
Formula grants are a significant resource designed to support organizations addressing large-scale social issues. The U.S. government allocates billions each year in these grants, targeting areas like education, healthcare, and housing.
Nonprofits should examine how these funds can be tailored to meet their mission objectives. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, accessing data on community needs and demographics is key to securing formula grants.
By aligning an organization’s mission with grant requirements and showcasing its ability to effectively utilize resources, nonprofits can tap into this vital funding avenue and make a substantial impact on the communities it serves.
10. GrantsPlus
GrantsPlus is a vital tool for nonprofits seeking funding, bridging a joint gap in resource acquisition. Available to nonprofits, it covers domains like education, health, and community development.
The competition is fierce, with over 100,000 grants awarded annually in the U.S. totaling more than $50 billion in funding. GrantsPlus offers a comprehensive database and guidance on writing grant proposals, which is key to increasing success rates.
Nonprofits must adapt to the evolving landscape of grant funding, and staying informed about the latest opportunities is crucial.
Through practical insights into the application process, GrantsPlus empowers nonprofits to craft applications that meet funding criteria, maximizing their potential to secure much-needed financial support.
11. Local Impact Grants
Local Impact Grants are pivotal for community development, empowering nonprofits to tackle significant challenges head-on. Statistics reveal that around 25% of all grant funding is sourced locally, highlighting the importance of these contributions.
Nonprofits that secure such grants often focus on filling gaps left by more significant national initiatives, addressing unique local needs. For instance, a small town might use grant money to renovate its community center, benefiting thousands of residents directly.
These grants serve as crucial lifelines, ensuring that community-specific issues get the attention and resources they deserve. Nonprofits aiming for these grants should prioritize clarity in their mission and results, as transparency can significantly impact their success in obtaining funding.
12. Other Resources
| S.No. | Organization | Details |
| 1 | Walmart | Click Here |
| 2 | Dollywood | Click Here |
| 3 | Skyzone Donations | Click Here |
| 4 | Costco Foundation | Click Here |
| 5 | Krogers | Click Here |
| 6 | iFLY Donations | Click Here |
| 7 | Chik Fil A Foundation | Click Here |
| 8 | Target Community Grants | Click Here |
| 9 | Amazon | Click Here |
| 10 | Home Depot | Click Here |
More Companies with Online Donation Request links
How to Search for Grants
Searching for grants online using these websites is simple. For example, below, we have the Grants.gov website. I will provide the guidelines below for Grants.gov. The process applies to all the websites listed above.
How to Search for Grants Online
Searching for Grants using the Grants.gov database consolidates all Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) from the U.S. federal government. Here’s a simplified approach:
- Visit Grants.gov: Go to Grants.gov and search Grants to access the database.
- Use Basic Search Criteria:
- Keywords: Enter relevant themes, activities, or locations. Suggested terms will appear as you type.
- Funding Opportunity Number: Each grant has a unique number. Save this for easy access to specific opportunities.
- CFDA Number: Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for targeted searches in specific categories. Find CFDA numbers here.
- Select Additional Search Options:
- Set Opportunity Status to “Open.”
- Choose the Funding Instrument Type as “Grant” or “Cooperative Agreement.”
- Ensure Eligibility includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits or other eligible organizations.
Conducting searches using these criteria will help you find suitable grant opportunities efficiently.
Conclusion
Finding the right grants is crucial for nonprofits aiming to create a lasting impact. With resources like the Animal Funding Atlas, formula grants, and local impact funding available, organizations have numerous avenues to explore.
Take the next step: check out these grant opportunities and see which fits your mission. Visit the funding sources mentioned in the websites, gather the necessary information, and prepare your applications.
Each effort brings you closer to securing the support you need to make a difference in your community. Don’t wait—begin your search for funding today.
More Similar Content: