How to Find Grants for Nonprofits
One of the most common challenges nonprofit leaders share is: “We know grants are out there — but how do we actually find them?” With thousands of foundations, corporations, and other grant making entities offering funding, How do you even know where to start? Grant research is time consuming, confusing, and very overwhelming. The good news is that with the right strategies, your nonprofit can build a strong pipeline of strong grant opportunities.
1. Start with Community Foundations
Your local community foundation is one of the best places to begin. Community foundations often provide operating or capacity-building grants and support organizations working right in their region. They also maintain directories of local funders, making them a valuable resource for identifying future opportunities. If you serve multiple geographic locations consider applying to community foundations in each of the areas where you run programs. (this works well if you have firm data showing the impact you have in each county)
2. Explore Corporate Giving Programs
Many corporations offer community grants, sponsorships, and in-kind donations. Examples include:
- Walmart Spark Good Grants, Costco, Target, Wegmans, Kroger, Albertsons, HEB,Publix(local store giving)
- 4Imprint, Oriental Trading, offer promotional items and in kind donations
- Banks and Credit Unions such TD Bank and M&T Foundation, and any other local banks
Corporate grants are often smaller but more accessible, making them a great entry point for nonprofits new to grant writing.
3. Use State and Local Resources
While federal grants aren’t typically recommended for most nonprofits AT THIS TIME, state-level funding and local government opportunities can sometimes be a good fit. Municipalities and state agencies often run grant programs tied to specific community priorities like workforce development, arts and culture, or youth services.
4. Nonprofit Associations & Networks
Statewide nonprofit associations (like the Kentucky Nonprofit Network or Colorado Nonprofit Association) frequently share grant opportunities with their members. Joining your local association can open the door to ongoing funding leads, training, and community support.
5. Work With a Grant Research Partner
At Impact Funding Solutions, we’ve developed our own database of grants organized by niche and geographical location, which we immediately tap into for new clients. From there, our team goes deeper by using:
- Paid databases such as GrantStation or GrantWatch
- Targeted Google and local searches
- AI-assisted research tools
Grant research is time-consuming and complicated. A grant may look like a perfect fit at first glance, but priorities often shift once you dig into the details. That’s why having a systematic process — and experienced eyes — is so important.
Final Thoughts
Finding grants takes effort, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with local resources, explore corporate and state-level funding, stay connected to nonprofit networks, and consider partnering with experts who can streamline the process.
At Impact Funding Solutions, our mission is to make sure you never miss an opportunity. We combine strategy, research, and hands-on experience to help you find and win the grants that truly fit your mission. Need help with grant research? Contact Us today to set up a FREE Discovery Call with an experience grant writer.
✅ Quick Checklist: Is This Grant a Good Fit for Your Nonprofit?
Before you invest time into a grant application, ask yourself these five questions:
- Eligibility – Do we meet the funder’s basic requirements (geography, nonprofit status, focus area)?
- Alignment – Does the grantmaker’s funding priority directly connect to our mission and programs?
- Capacity – Do we have the staff, systems, and reporting ability to manage the grant if awarded?
- Funding Amount – Is the grant size worth the time it will take to apply and manage?
- Timing – Does the application deadline and grant cycle align with our current needs and calendar?
If you can confidently answer “yes” to most of these, it’s likely a good fit. If not, it may be better to focus your energy on other opportunities.
