How to Find Grants for Your Nonprofit or Project

To find grants, search government grant portals for your country or region, contact your local community foundation, research private and family foundations that fund your cause, look at corporate giving programs, and use funder databases and sector networks. Then shortlist only funders whose mission, eligibility, geography and grant size match your project.

Where to look

Source	Good for	Tip
Government grant portals	Larger, structured programs	Sign up for alerts
Community foundations	Local projects, smaller grants	Call and introduce yourself
Private and family foundations	Cause-specific work	Study who they funded before
Corporate giving programs	Local and employee-linked causes	Look for local branches
Funder databases	Searching many funders at once	Filter by location and cause
Networks and umbrella bodies	Sector-specific opportunities	Join newsletters
Peers and annual reports	Hidden opportunities	See who funds similar groups

How to judge fit

Before writing, check:

Mission: does the funder support your cause?
Eligibility: organization type, registration, size.
Geography: do they fund your area?
Grant size: does it match your project?
Timing: deadline and funding period.
Track record: have they funded organizations like yours?

If three or more are a stretch, move on.

Build a grant calendar

Track each prospect in a simple spreadsheet: funder, deadline, amount, fit notes, status, and contact. Review it monthly.

Build relationships

Many funders welcome a short call or email before you apply. Ask whether your project fits their priorities. It can save a wasted application and makes your name familiar.

Next: how to write a grant proposal or start with a letter of inquiry.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find grants for my nonprofit?

Government grant portals, community foundations, private and family foundations, corporate giving programs, funder databases, and networks such as local councils and umbrella organizations.

Are grant databases worth paying for?

They can save time if you apply often, but many funders also publish opportunities for free. Try free sources first.

How do I know if a grant is a good fit?

Check mission alignment, eligibility, geography, grant size, timing and whether they have funded similar organizations.