Expirely vs Candid (Foundation Directory): Which Grant Database is Right for You?
Candid's Foundation Directory is the gold standard for grant research—and at $149-$329/month, it's priced accordingly. But if you're a small to mid-sized nonprofit, you're paying for millions of foundation profiles you'll never pursue. Expirely focuses on the 41,000+ foundations that actually accept unsolicited applications, with AI-powered tools built around them.
The Core Question
Do you need access to millions of foundations (most don't accept applications), or do you need 41,000+ grantmaking foundations with AI tools to match, research, track, and write applications?
Understanding the Difference
Candid: Comprehensive Database
Candid (formerly Foundation Center) offers the most comprehensive foundation database in existence—millions of records covering nearly every registered private foundation in the U.S. It's an incredible research resource for large nonprofits, consultants, and researchers who need exhaustive data.
The catch: Most foundations in Candid's database don't accept unsolicited applications. They only give to pre-selected organizations or causes determined by their boards. You're paying for access to foundations you can't actually apply to.
Expirely: Application-Ready Database + Workflow
Expirely curates 41,000+ foundations that accept applications from new nonprofits. Every foundation in our database is actually grantable—you can research them, track applications, get AI recommendations, and manage the entire grant lifecycle in one platform.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Expirely | Candid FDO |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $49-$99 | $149-$329 |
| Annual Cost | $588-$1,188 | $1,788-$3,948 |
| Foundation Profiles | 41,000+(application-ready) | Millions(many don't accept apps) |
| 990-PF Tax Data | ||
| AI Grant Matching | ||
| AI Writing Assistant | ||
| Application Tracking | ||
| Deadline Management | ||
| SMS Alerts | ||
| Federal Grants Search | ||
| Document Storage | ||
| Grantmaker Research Tools | ||
| Grant Recipient History | ||
| Corporate Funders |
When to Choose Candid
Candid Foundation Directory is the right choice if:
- You need exhaustive research covering every foundation, including those that don't accept applications
- You're a grant consultant serving diverse clients across multiple sectors
- You need corporate giving programs in addition to foundations
- You're a large nonprofit with a dedicated grants team pursuing hundreds of opportunities annually
- Research is your only need and you have separate tools for tracking/writing
When to Choose Expirely
Expirely is the better choice if:
- You need an all-in-one platform for discovery, tracking, writing, and deadline management
- You want AI assistance matching grants to your mission and helping draft applications
- You're focused on private foundations that accept unsolicited applications
- You pursue federal grants and want them integrated into your workflow
- Budget matters and you want to cut your grant software costs by 60-75%
- You're a small to mid-sized nonprofit managing 5-50 applications per year
The ROI Comparison
Annual Investment Comparison:
Candid Strategy:
Expirely All-in-One:
Annual Savings with Expirely: $1,440-$4,200
That's enough to hire a part-time grant writer or fund a small program.
What About Database Size?
"But Candid has millions of foundations—isn't bigger better?"
Not necessarily. Here's the reality:
- •Most foundations don't accept unsolicited applications. They give only to pre-selected organizations, often in their local area or to causes determined by family boards.
- •Small nonprofits typically pursue 10-30 grants per year. You don't need millions of profiles—you need the right profiles with actionable application information.
- •More isn't better if you can't act on it. Candid's size creates analysis paralysis. Expirely's curated 41,000+ focuses your energy on foundations you can actually approach.
The Workflow Advantage
Even if you choose Candid for research, you still need:
- A tracking system for applications
- A deadline management tool
- A writing platform for drafts
- Document storage for applications
- Analytics to measure success
With Expirely, all of these are built-in. You research, track, write, and manage in one platform—no switching between tools, no duplicate data entry, no subscription fatigue.
The Bottom Line
Candid is an excellent research tool—the best, in fact—but it's only research. If you're a well-funded organization or consultant needing exhaustive data, it's worth the investment.
But if you're a small to mid-sized nonprofit needing discovery + tracking + writing + AI assistance, Expirely delivers everything for less than Candid costs for research alone.
Try Expirely Free for 14 Days
No credit card required • Access 41,000+ foundations • AI-powered matching • Full platform access
See if Expirely meets your needs before canceling Candid
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Candid and Expirely?
Absolutely! Some larger nonprofits use Candid for exhaustive research and Expirely for workflow management. However, most small to mid-sized organizations find Expirely's database sufficient and cancel Candid to save $1,700+/year.
Does Expirely have the same 990-PF data as Candid?
Yes! Both platforms access IRS 990-PF tax returns for foundation research. The difference is volume (Expirely focuses on 41,000+ grantmaking foundations vs Candid's millions) and workflow features (Expirely adds AI, tracking, writing tools).
Which has better search filters?
Candid has more granular filtering for corporate giving and specialized foundations. Expirely's filters focus on the most common search criteria (mission area, location, grant size, application status) with AI-powered matching to surface relevant opportunities you might miss with manual filters.
Can Expirely replace my entire grant stack?
For most small to mid-sized nonprofits, yes. Expirely combines foundation research, federal grants search, application tracking, deadline management, document storage, AI writing assistance, and analytics. The only thing you might still need is a CRM if you track donor relationships separately.
What if I need a foundation not in Expirely's database?
You can manually add any foundation to track applications. Most nonprofits find 95%+ of their target foundations already in our system since we focus on those accepting applications.
Last updated: October 21, 2025 • Pricing and features subject to change