Find Funding for a Nonprofit

By Ashley White

You’ve outlined your mission; you’ve come up with a name; you may have even gotten your 501(c)(3) and set up all the necessary foundational elements of your non-profit; now what? 

The next step for most ministry and non-profit leaders is finding the money. Today we will talk through one major source of funding, grants, and how to find the right one for you. 

Know Your Mission

Before you even begin researching grants, let alone applying for them, you must start with understanding your mission and a clear goal in mind of what you want to achieve. 

Clearly communicating your mission and goals will directly relate to your ability to convince others to fund that mission. You must: 

• Have a clear and relevant mission that is easy to understand and communicate
• Ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, and achievable (check out our guide on how to create SMART goals and write a proposal)
• Create a detailed budget
• Demonstrate a track record of impact within the community 

A clear picture of your program's positive impact will engage your reader and give you the best opportunity to secure the funding you request.

Do Your Research

Each type of nonprofit grant-making agency has specific guidelines you must adhere to. Make sure that you do your research before applying.

• Fit the target applicant profile: One foundation might specialize only in combating climate change, while another supports nonprofits that advance education for people of color. Be sure that you meet the target applicant profile.
• Application period: Many foundations will have an application deadline. Be sure to submit your grant proposal within this period to ensure your grant proposal receives a chance for review.
• The specific point of contact: Is there an individual who handles the grant proposal process? If so, note their name. Personalizing your cover letter by addressing that individual shows that you’ve done your research.
• Check your eligibility: Some agencies require that you have been in operation for a specific time frame, will request previous annual reports, may need a detailed budget and balance sheet with your grant proposal, and some require that the applicant nonprofit has its 501(c)(3) status. 

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Use Grant Databases

There are hundreds—even thousands— of nonprofit grant opportunities if you look long enough. But this can be incredibly time-consuming and overwhelming. Instead of searching for grants for nonprofits one by one, you can take advantage of various databases that connect grantees with grant-making agencies. By applying certain filters, such as industry or keywords, you can determine which grants you are eligible for.

You can use the following grant databases to help you learn how to find grants for nonprofits. Some options include:

GrantStation

• It is a one-stop database to search, review, and apply for nonprofit grants.
• How to apply: You can search their online database for specific grant application details. They also offer a paid membership that includes perks, like seeing more information on current grants and awards.
• Potential benefits: Gain access to a database that regularly updates the latest grants, making it easy to find new funding opportunities while applying on time.

GrantWatch

• It is a one-stop database to search, review, and apply for nonprofit grants.
• How to apply: You can search their online database for specific grant application details. They also offer a paid membership that includes perks, like additional details about current grants and awards.
• Potential benefits: Gain access to a database that regularly updates the latest grants, making it easy to find new funding opportunities and meet deadlines.

Grants.gov

• What it is: An e-government operating under the Office of Management and Budget helps grant applicants find federal grant-making agencies.
• How to apply: Learn about their five-step registration process by visiting their website.
• Potential benefits: Finding and applying for federal grants online is a secure and straightforward process. You can also enable notifications when federal agencies post new grant opportunities.

Guidestar 

• It is an online database connecting nonprofit organizations with grant-giving entities.
• How to apply: You can create your nonprofit profile on their website to start applying for grants while helping grant-makers discover your cause.
• Potential benefits: Eliminates the need for nonprofits to reenter repetitive information. Allows nonprofits to populate grant applications automatically, saving you valuable time.

Narrow Your Search With Keywords

With a countless number of nonprofit grants available, not all of them will apply to your organization. Searching with the right keywords will save you from spending time researching gifts that are irrelevant to your mission.

When searching the various databases mentioned above, you’ll find multiple fields that can filter which grants appear in your search results. 

For example, let’s say you run a nonprofit organization that focuses on nature conservancy. If you search with keywords like “climate change,” “environment,” or “sustainability,” you are more likely to find grant opportunities that align with your mission.

Or, if your nonprofit organization helps underserved communities find affordable housing and employment opportunities, you can use keywords like “poverty,” “homelessness,” and “unemployment.”

Knowing your target keywords can save you tons of time during the process—time you could spend perfecting your grant proposal!

Track Your Applications

Last but certainly not least, I recommend that you create a calendar or spreadsheet dedicated to your grant applications. You can set reminders of deadlines to ensure you are submitting your grant proposals in a timely fashion. You can also set reminders to check the status of grants for nonprofits you applied to in the past. Staying detail-oriented and organized is key to applying for new grants and keeping tabs on submitted applications.

Starting a church, ministry, or non-profit can be daunting, and you do not have to do it alone. At StartCHURCH, our mission is to partner with church planters, ministry, and non-profit leaders to ensure they have the solid foundation and resources to chase the call on their lives to impact the world for Christ. If you need additional help or want more information on starting your non-profit, click the button below to schedule a call with one of our ministry specialists. 

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