How to Find Foundation Grants for Nonprofits: Complete 2025 Guide

Finding foundation grants shouldn't require expensive databases, countless hours of manual research, or a dedicated grant researcher on staff. With the right strategy and tools, small nonprofits can identify high-quality funding opportunities just as effectively as large organizations.

Why Foundation Grants Matter

Foundation grants are the lifeblood of nonprofit funding. Unlike government grants with complex compliance requirements or individual donations that fluctuate seasonally, private foundation grants offer:

Predictable funding cycles — Most foundations award grants annually or semi-annually
Mission alignment opportunities — Foundations support specific causes passionately
Multi-year support potential — Building relationships can lead to sustained funding
Reasonable application processes — Often simpler than federal grants
Local community focus — Many foundations prioritize their geographic region

The Challenge

There are over 120,000 private foundations in the United States, but only a fraction are actively accepting applications and aligned with your mission. The key is finding the right foundations, not just more foundations.

Step 1: Know What You're Looking For

Before you start searching, get crystal clear on your grant needs:

Grant Search Checklist

1
Program or Project Focus: What specific program needs funding? (youth education, senior services, environmental conservation, etc.)
2
Grant Amount Range: How much do you need? ($5,000? $25,000? $100,000+?)
3
Geographic Scope: Where do you operate? (city, county, state, regional, national)
4
Funding Type: Do you need general operating support, program-specific funding, capital campaigns, or capacity building?
5
Timeline: When do you need the funding, and how much lead time do you have for applications?

Step 2: Use the Right Search Strategy

Traditional Methods (Time-Intensive)

The old-school approach to foundation research involves:

Foundation Directory Online — Expensive subscription ($179+/month) with a steep learning curve
Guidestar/Candid — Free basic info, but premium features cost $50-$125/month
IRS 990-PF forms — Free public records, but manually searching is extremely tedious
Foundation websites — Individually visiting hundreds of sites takes weeks
Peer referrals — Asking other nonprofits, but limited to their knowledge

Total time investment: 20-40 hours per month to identify 10-15 quality prospects.

Modern AI-Powered Approach (Expirely)

Instead of manual research, let AI do the heavy lifting:

AI Smart Match Technology

Expirely's AI analyzes your nonprofit's mission, programs, and past grants, then automatically matches you with the most relevant foundations from our database of 41,000+ active grantmakers.

What It Analyzes:

• Your mission statement
• Program descriptions
• Geographic service area
• Target populations
• Budget size and grant needs

What You Get:

• Personalized grant recommendations
• Match score (high, medium, low)
• Deadline alerts
• Application requirements
• Past grantee insights

Result: 10-20 high-quality prospects identified in under 10 minutes, not 40 hours.

Step 3: Research Each Foundation Deeply

Once you've identified prospects, don't just apply blindly. Research each foundation to maximize your chances:

What to Look For

1. Funding Priorities

Does the foundation's stated mission align with your program? Look for specific language like "youth development," "environmental justice," or "arts education."

2. Geographic Preferences

Most foundations prioritize their local community. Check if they fund nationally or restrict to specific states/regions.

3. Typical Grant Ranges

Don't ask a foundation that gives $5,000-$10,000 grants for $50,000. Look at their IRS 990-PF to see actual grant amounts.

→ Expirely's Research Center shows you the last 10 grants each foundation awarded with exact amounts

4. Who They've Funded Before

Looking at past grantees tells you if they fund organizations like yours. If all their grantees are large institutions with $10M+ budgets and you're a $250K organization, it's probably not a fit.

→ Expirely parses IRS data to show you exactly which nonprofits received funding and why

5. Application Process

Some foundations only accept LOIs (Letters of Inquiry) first. Others require full proposals upfront. Some only fund by invitation. Know the process before you invest time.

Step 4: Use Filters to Narrow Your List

Don't waste time on foundations that won't fund you. Use smart filters:

Expirely Search Filters

By Focus Area:

• Education
• Health & Human Services
• Arts & Culture
• Environment
• Community Development
• And 20+ more categories

By Criteria:

• Grant amount range
• Geographic location
• Application deadline
• Funding type
• Foundation asset size

Step 5: Track and Manage Your Prospects

Once you've identified 20-30 promising foundations, you need a system to track:

Application deadlines
Required materials
Contact information
Grant amounts to request
Submission status
Follow-up dates

Spreadsheet Warning

Managing grants in spreadsheets leads to missed deadlines, lost opportunities, and disorganization. One missed deadline can cost you $25,000+. Use dedicated grant management software with automated reminders.

The Expirely Advantage: All-in-One Foundation Discovery

What You Get with Expirely

41,000+ Foundation Database

Comprehensive access to active grantmakers with detailed profiles, funding histories, and contact information

AI Smart Match Recommendations

Personalized grant suggestions based on your mission, location, and program areas — delivered daily

Research Center with Grantee Data

See the last 10 grants each foundation awarded, with recipient names, amounts, and AI-powered insights

Application Tracking & Deadline Management

Kanban workflow, automated SMS alerts, and never miss another grant deadline

Stop spending 40 hours a month on manual research. Let AI find the perfect grants for you.

Quick Start Guide: Finding Your First 10 Grants

Sign up for Expirely (14-day free trial, no credit card)
Complete your nonprofit profile with mission, programs, and service area
Review AI recommendations in your personalized dashboard
Use the Research Center to see which nonprofits each foundation has funded
Filter by deadline to prioritize upcoming opportunities
Add top prospects to your pipeline using the Kanban tracker
Set up SMS deadline alerts for applications
Start writing proposals using the AI writing assistant

Time investment: Less than 2 hours to identify and start tracking 10 high-quality grant opportunities.

Ready to Find Grants Faster?

Join hundreds of nonprofits using Expirely to discover foundation grants in minutes, not weeks. Start your free trial today and get instant access to 41,000+ foundations.

14-day free trial • No credit card required • Access 41,000+ foundations instantly

How to Find Foundation Grants: A Step-by-Step Guide for Nonprofits