1. Start close to home
Your community foundation, local banks, utilities and large local employers fund their own communities first. They often have the smallest applicant pools and the simplest applications. Search “community foundation” plus your county or city.
2. Read funders’ past grants
A private foundation’s tax return (Form 990-PF) lists the grants it made. You can look these up for free on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. Look for three things: grants to organizations like yours, grants in your area, and award sizes that match your request.
3. Use a funder database
Candid’s Foundation Directory is the largest. It is a paid subscription, but many public libraries offer free access through Candid’s Funding Information Network.
4. Check state and federal sources
State agencies post grant programs on their own sites. Federal grants are listed at Grants.gov and require your organization’s SAM.gov registration and UEI number, which can take weeks, so register early if federal funding is in your plans.
5. Rule out bad fits fast
- Does the funder fund your type of work and your location?
- Is your request inside its usual award range?
- Does it accept unsolicited requests, or invitation only?
- Can you meet the deadline with complete materials?
If any answer is no, move on. A shorter list of strong fits beats a long list of long shots.
6. Make first contact the right way
Follow the funder’s instructions exactly. If it asks for a letter of inquiry first, send a short, specific one. See our sample letter of inquiry.
General guidance, current as of October 2026. Funders change their priorities and processes; always confirm on the funder’s own site.