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How is Zeffy free?
How is Zeffy free?
Zeffy relies entirely on optional contributions from donors. At the payment confirmation step - we ask donors to leave an optional contribution to Zeffy.
When your nonprofit isn’t sure where to find grants you’re qualified for and align to your mission, funding can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where grant databases come in, helping to simplify the search process and curate funding opportunities tailored to your organization with a few clicks.
Whether you’re just starting your grant search or feel ready to switch things up and make life easier, this list of the top 10 nonprofit grant databases is here to help.
Zeffy is a 100% free grant finder that simplifies the process of researching funding options. The intuitive interface makes it easy for any organization to search through grants based on mission, location, and purpose. So often, finding the perfect grant can feel layered by complex systems and databases that put so much in front of you that you must spend more time sifting through and deciding what’s best to apply for. We want to make that more manageable with the most straightforward search bar experience that surfaces the latest grants with all the information you need on the same intuitive web page.Every little expense adds up, so you can guarantee with Zeffy that you’ll never have to add a monthly payment to use solutions that simplify your life.
Pros
100% free tool
Unlimited research potential
Quick glance review of cost to apply, deadline, eligibility, and contact information
User-friendly interface
Direct links to the official application page
Ability to search by nonprofit’s mission, location, and purpose
Suggestions to browse similar grants based on your search
Outstanding customer service, with quick, efficient responses
Free knowledge base of resources to master the grant process
Cons
Zeffy’s grant finder tool is a relatively new tool on the market
Pricing
Zeffy’s grant finder tool (like its entire fundraising platform) is entirely free. Its fundraising platform has a 4.9/5 “value for money” rating on Capterra, which reflects its mission of maximizing nonprofit proceeds by cutting out costly fees.
Reviews
G2: 4.9/5 rating for Zeffy’s fundraising platform
Capterra: 4.8/5 rating for Zeffy’s fundraising platform
“Zeffy has changed the way that I do things - it has made my life so much simpler. By having everything on Zeffy, I can take care of so many things in just one place, and in a more intuitive way than some other platforms. The staff have been helpful and friendly. Seriously, Zeffy has saved my sanity and renewed my ability to focus more on the work I do rather than scattering my energy every which way.” - Maude S.
Instrumentl is an all-in-one platform that simplifies grant discovery, management, and tracking. Nonprofits, researchers, and grant writers can automate the grant search process, centralize their workflow, and use intelligent matching features to focus less on research and more on creating impact.
Pros
Tailored matches
Weekly email updates with new matching opportunities
Detailed foundation profiles and 990 data
Key insights automatically highlighted
Automatic deadline reminders for grant submissions
Cons
Pricing may be a barrier for smaller nonprofits
Some users note limited customization options for adapting language and terminology to specific organizational needs
First-time users may need time to learn and use advanced features fully
Pricing
Instrumentl offers nonprofit plans with tiered pricing:
Advanced: $899/month for advanced end-to-end grant management
Pro: $499/month for streamlined grant discovery and management
Standard: $299/month for core prospecting and grant management
Reviews
Capterra: 5/5
“I rave about Instrumentl to everyone in my field and consider it an asset to hiring Full-Circle Fundraising for grant writing and prospecting. My clients greatly benefit from the information I am able to provide them.” - Dawn M.
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) by Candid
The Foundation Directory Online (FDO) by Candid is a comprehensive grant database that helps nonprofits identify and connect with funders. Intuitive search tools make it easy to identify funders across 312,000 grantmakers.
Pros
Advanced search tools and data visualizations
Reliable and up-to-date information from trusted sources like IRS Forms 990, philanthropic press, and grantmaker submissions
Trends in grant sizes, geographic giving, and funding subject areas
Cons
Higher pricing tiers may be challenging for small nonprofits without discounts
"Invitation-only" grant opportunities require additional networking efforts
Some users prefer the older interface due to upgrades that made things more complex
Limited inclusion of family foundations in the database
Pricing
Essential: $54.99/month or $449 annually
Professional: $219.99/month or $1,599 annually
Enterprise: Custom pricing is available upon request
Reviews
G2: 4.6/5
“The Foundation Directory Online is one of the most valuable resources for researching funding opportunities. It is comprehensive and has been around for a long time. I remember the days when it was a printed directory, and it was valuable back then. Besides being able to sort foundations by state and funding priority, you can also look for board members, and grantees and access 990s all in one place.” - Monica G.
GrantWatch
GrantWatch is a great resource for nonprofits, municipalities, and other organizations looking to streamline their grant-seeking process and access a wide array of funding. The database of thousands of current grant opportunities and tools is designed to simplify the search and application process.
Pros
Access to over 9,000 active grants across 60 categories
Updated regularly with government, foundation, corporate, and local funding opportunities
SMART advanced search, boolean filters, and a personalized grant calendar
Direct links to Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Cons
The platform’s extensive database may be daunting for first-time users
Full access to opportunities and features is restricted to paying members
Paid subscription adds up over time
Pricing
GrantWatch offers flexible subscription options:
Weekly Plan: $18 per week
Monthly Plan: $59 per month
Annual Plan: $199 per year (best value)
Reviews
“America Cares Too wouldn't know about First American Bank grant if it wasn't for GrantWatch. We won the grant from First American Bank which is needed for the support of America Cares Too, Disabled Veterans Rights Diversity Workforce Advocacy Program. " - Homer Lee Bizzle III M.A. Ed.
GrantStation provides nonprofits the tools to find the right grantmakers, develop competitive proposals, and secure funding. Access to thousands of quality, easy-to-read, and updated quality profiles throughout the year simplifies the grant research process.
Pros
Access to private and government grantmakers in the U.S., Canada, and internationally
Filters like geography, area of interest, and type of support
Ability to save and prioritize grantmaker profiles and receive email alerts
Some users find the platform less intuitive compared to competitors
While the database and tools are accessible through membership, webinars, and courses are available only as separate purchases
Cost can be a barrier with unclear pricing or consistency across all organizations
Pricing
GrantStation offers a single membership level that provides full access to its database and tools. Membership fees vary depending on promotional offers and partnerships, but standard pricing details are not transparent on their website.
Reviews
G2: 3.7/5 rating
“Found and applied for multiple grants on GS. We've tried several grant search engine solutions, Grantstation has similar results to others, sometimes even better, but it comes at 1/10th the price of others. Would highly recommend Grantstation for anyone looking for grants, and especially for anyone more on the budget conscious side.” - Verified User in Education Management
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is a comprehensive platform specializing in federal funding opportunities and includes some state-level options. Nonprofits looking to secure government grants across various sectors, including health, education, and community services, can benefit from using this database and its mobile app alongside others.
Keyword searches, CFDA numbers, and agency filters to find relevant opportunities
Mobile app to manage and share funding opportunities from anywhere
Free to use
Cons
The broad range of resources can make navigating difficult, especially for first-time users.
Searching without a clear starting point can be daunting and time-consuming
Pricing
Grants.gov is completely free to use, providing open access to federal funding opportunities for nonprofits.
Reviews
Apple app store: 2.4 /5 (specific to mobile app)
“Excellent interface, very intuitive and nicely designed app that really facilitates the usually difficult process of searching for grants.” Meriem B
Pivot -RP
Pivot-RP is a research funding database that helps researchers, faculty members, and administrators discover the right funding opportunities. This tool connects users with global and local funding resources, collaborating with millions of researchers worldwide who can support their goals.
Pros
Access to global funding opportunities
Accuracy and timeliness of eligibility criteria and deadlines
Some users have reported that invited-only submissions are not clearly indicated, which can lead to confusion
Cost is not transparent
Pricing
Pricing for Pivot-RP is not publicly available. To get access, you must create an account through a participating institution.
Reviews
“Pivot-RP is a one-stop-shop for funding opportunities. When I train my faculty on how to use Pivot, it blows their mind.” - Sangita Pawar
GrantForward
GrantForward simplifies the grant search process with a search engine that provides personalized recommendations across an extensive database of funding opportunities. With over 21,000 sponsors and advanced technology for accurate updates, GrantForward empowers researchers and institutions to find the proper grants quickly and efficiently.
Pros
Advanced and adaptive search filters
Researcher profiles to receive grant recommendations
Once subscribed, all members of an institution can access the platform and receive personalized funding recommendations.
Cons
No publicly listed pricing; institutions must request a custom quote based on size and research expenditures
Primarily, it caters to institutions, which may limit accessibility for individual researchers or smaller organizations without institutional support
Pricing
GrantForward offers a 30-day free trial with full access to all features for everyone within an institution. After the trial, subscription-based pricing varies by institution size, population, and annual research expenditures.
Reviews
“GrantForward is our university’s go-to resource in helping our investigators find research opportunities. The site is easy to navigate and the customer service has been phenomenal.” - Kristel Seth, Director, Research and Sponsored Programs
GrantSelect
GrantSelect is a user-friendly online database with a wide range of grants, awards, and fellowships, spanning areas like biomedical research, education, arts programs, and community services. Each funding opportunity record includes contact information, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and funding amounts that help nonprofits streamline their grant search.
Pros
Thorough grant information, including deadlines, funding amounts, eligibility, and URLs for more details
Ideal for nonprofit managers, program directors, and academic institutions seeking funding for various purposes
Cons
Subscription required
Lack of cost transparency for various access levels
Favors institutions, so it might be a challenge for smaller nonprofits without institutional backing
Subscriptions only available to 3-year and 4-year schools and public libraries
Pricing
GrantSelect requires an institution subscription, and pricing is not listed publicly on the organization’s website.
Reviews
“GrantSelect is a powerful tool for identifying potential sponsors. With multiple prospects, you can find the best fit for any proposed project.” - GrantSelect homepage
Grant Gopher
Grant Gopher offers a user-friendly and affordable grant research database tailored to the needs of nonprofit organizations and grant writers. Customizable search filters improve accessibility to help users easily stay on top of available grants.
Pros
Grant search segmented by state, county, program, or keywords
Access to grants that are currently accepting applications
A goal of 10 volunteer hours per staff member each month to support users
Cons
The Lite plan has fewer features compared to the Pro and Pro Success Path options that come with a higher price tag
May lack some advanced tools or filters found in higher-priced competitors
Pricing
Lite: Free (basic access to the database)
Pro: $9/month (enhanced features for grant discovery)
Pro Success Path: $49/month (includes additional support and resources for grant success)
Reviews
"This is a really good service for finding grants. Better than many others I have used." - Heather Puff, PHF YMCA
How to stand out and win corporate grants: 3 quick tips
1. Find your ideal match
There are many options for available grants, but finding one that matches your mission and values matters. When you show how your work aligns with what a funder cares about, you’re way more likely to get that “yes” and showcase a mutual interest in doing good.
2. Showcase your success
It’s one thing to tell funders about your mission and cause and another to back it up with a display of the fantastic things you’ve accomplished. If you’re just starting, you can showcase your founding story, the impact you plan to make with the proper funding, and examples of community outcomes that can help a grantmaker see how their contributions will make a difference.
3. Make it personal
Before you hit “apply,” take time to understand the key decision-makers for each grant. Building relationships early helps your grant proposal feel more tailored. It allows you to speak to the person (or people) who ultimately decides if your organization is a good fit.
Frequently asked questions: Grant databases for nonprofits
Zeffy offers the best 100% free grant database for nonprofits looking to quickly surface results and build funding for their mission without the hassle of a complicated interface. The simple search allows you to find personalized funding options based on your location, mission, and keywords to tailor results further.
Yes, several grant databases are available, including the options listed above. Some databases offer more in-depth searches, so it may be a good idea to explore a few before committing to the subscriptions many databases require.
To see what grants a nonprofit has received, you can check public databases like GuideStar (now part of Candid), which provides financial information on nonprofits, including grant history.
Many platforms, like Zeffy’s grant research tool, can act as grant search engines. These databases allow you to search for grants by keywords, funding types, eligibility, and more, helping you find opportunities that align with your nonprofit’s needs.
The only 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits
