Where can I find grant opportunities?

There are over 91,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors. The federal government offers approximately $400 billion in annual awards. But one of the greatest challenges for grant-seekers is researching potential funders and identifying sources that are strongly in alignment with the type of program you need funded and the amount you are seeking. Use the resources below to begin this critical step in the grant-seeking process.

By Funder Type | By Subject

• Foundations
   
  • Foundation Directory Online — Comprehensive, searchable database of over 91,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors. Subscription service (plans start at $20/month, but you can access the database for free at selected locations nationwide... including the Grant Resource Center).
     
  • DonorsChoose.org — Teachers Ask. You Choose. Students Learn. This website offers a simple way to provide students in need with the resources that our public schools often lack. Teachers simply submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals choose projects to fund directly.
     
  • RFP Bulletin — A weekly roundup of recently announced Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from private, corporate, and government funding sources. An RFP is how funders announce new grant opportunities.
     
  • Guidestar.org — Database of tax information to research which organizations they’re supporting, and in what amounts.
     
• Government
   
  • Grants.gov — The official site to find and apply for federal grants.
     
  • The Grantsmanship Center — Daily federal grants announcements (pulled from the Federal Register). GrantDomain: a searchable database of government, foundation and corporate funding sources (a subscription service; $495/year).
     
  • Nonprofit Gateway — The U.S. government’s official portal to resources for nonprofits, including information on grants, loans and other assistance; fundraising and outreach; management and operations; tax, registration, and licensing for nonprofits.
     
  • U.S. Department of Education — Releases a Grants Forecast each November, which is updated through July.
     
  • California Department of Education — Grants, apportionments, and contracts available through the state department of education. Join the Funding Mailing List to be automatically notified of new funding opportunities.
     
  • Visit your local government websites for information on local grant opportunities. Remember that there are many agencies even at the local level, and you may have to keep your eye on many different sites to find the appropriate opportunities.
     
• Corporations / Other
   
  • Foundation Directory Online — Comprehensive, searchable database of over 91,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors. Subscription service (plans start at $20/month, but you can access the database for free at selected locations nationwide... including the Grant Resource Center).
     
  • Visit the websites of individual companies. Some have corporate giving programs, others have foundations, and some have no formal program at all. Information, if available, can typically be found in the "About us" section of the website, under “Community.”
     
  • Start local — it’s good business for companies to be good neighbors. The business directory of your local Chamber of Commerce may help you find local businesses.
     
  • Don’t forget local organizations such as the Lions and Kiwanis clubs, which often have discretionary funds if a member will sponsor you to give a short pitch at a meeting.

Subject Type | By Funder Type

• Education
   
  • GrantWrangler — Makes it easy for teachers, librarians, and parents to find funding, including grants and awards for arts, history, mathematics, science, technology, and more.
     
  • SchoolGrants — A comprehensive source of information for the PK-12 education community. It offers information on education grant opportunities, tips on writing grants, and free samples of winning proposals. Sign up on their educators’ listserv, or subscribe to their bi-weekly newsletter.
     
  • GrantsAlert.com — Browse their list of currently available education grants; includes a section on classroom funding opportunities. Also includes a directory of grant writing consultants.
     
  • National Education Association — Visit their “Grants and Awards” section to find announcements of interest to educators
     
• Technology
   
  • eSchool News Technology — Resources around successfully integrating technology in the classroom. Lists grants and funding opportunities for schools. Free newsletter subscription.
     
  • Teacher Tap — Portal to technology grant resources.
     
• Arts
   
  • Arts Council Silicon Valley — Supports arts in our community through a number of different grant opportunities for organizations and individual artists. They also offer direct programs that support organizations, artists, and at-risk youth.
     
  • City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs — Offers several grant programs to ensure a rich variety of cultural opportunities for residents and visitors to the city.

Date last updated: October 13, 2010