The grant landscape can feel like a maze of opportunities, deadlines, and requirements. Finding the right funding, crafting compelling proposals, and managing applications requires specialized tools at every stage of the process.
What separates successful grant seekers from the rest isn’t just persistence…it’s having the right digital toolkit.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best grant websites for each phase of your grant journey:
Research and discovery tools to find relevant opportunities
Evaluation platforms to determine which grants to pursue
Writing assistance to create compelling proposals
P.S. Teams using AI-powered grant writing tools like Grantboost can now manage their entire monthly grant workload in the time it once took to complete just one application. So, if you want to skip the guesswork and start creating compelling grant proposals, start your free trial today!
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven proposals.
Research & Discovery
Grants.gov: Best for federal grants, offering a centralized location for all federal funding opportunities.
GrantWatch: Access to a wide variety of funding sources, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
Evaluation & Selection
Instrumentl: AI-powered grant matching with scoring to prioritize the best opportunities.
GrantStation: Advanced search and evaluation tools based on your mission and needs.
Writing & Development
Grantboost: AI-driven platform that generates customized grant proposals based on your organization’s details and grant requirements.
Grantable: Collaborative features, templates, and workflows for efficient proposal writing.
Submission & Tracking
Foundant Technologies: Automated deadline reminders and tracking for seamless grant application management.
Submittable: Customizable forms and tracking tools to ensure on-time submission.
Reporting & Management
Blackbaud Grantmaking: Enterprise-level solutions for managing grants with advanced reporting and outcome tracking.
AmpliFund: Specializes in compliance, reporting, and financial tracking for government grants..
| Stage | Key Activities | Common Challenges | Essential Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research & Discovery | Finding relevant opportunities | Information overload | Grant databases |
| Evaluation & Selection | Determining which grants to pursue | Assessing fit and ROI | Funder Research |
| Writing & Development | Creating compelling proposals | Time constraints | Writing assistance |
| Submission & Tracking | Managing applications | Deadline management | Application systems |
| Reporting & Management | Handling post-award requirements | Compliance issues | Management software |
Before diving into specific tools, it’s important to understand how the grant process typically flows. Unlike a simple transaction, securing grant funding involves multiple interconnected stages that require different skills and resources.
The grant process typically follows five key phases:
Research & Discovery: Finding relevant grant opportunities that match your organization’s mission, programs, and capacity
Evaluation & Selection: Analyzing potential funders and grants to determine which are worth pursuing based on alignment, requirements, and likelihood of success
Writing & Development: Creating compelling proposals that clearly communicate your project’s value and impact
Submission & Tracking: Managing application deadlines and requirements across multiple opportunities
Reporting & Management: Handling post-award compliance, reporting, and financial management
Each stage presents unique challenges, and the tools you need will vary accordingly. What works for research may not help with writing, and what helps with submission might not assist with management.
Let’s explore the best websites and tools for each phase of this process, starting with research.
| Website | Cost | Best For | Key Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants.gov | Free | Federal grants | Comprehensive federal database, email alerts | Complex interface, federal-only |
| Foundation Directory Online | Starts at $54.99/month | Foundation research | Detailed funder profiles, Searchable 990s and 990-PFs | Expensive, foundation-focused |
| GrantWatch | Starts at $18/week, $45/mo | Small businesses & individuals | Diverse funding types, pre-application workshops | Outdated interface |
The first step in any successful grant strategy is finding relevant opportunities. With thousands of grants available from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funders, you need efficient ways to discover potential matches.
Grants.gov serves as the official portal for all federal grant opportunities in the United States, providing a centralized location to search and apply for government funding across dozens of federal agencies.
Comprehensive federal database: Access to every federal grant opportunity from all 26 federal grant-making agencies in one centralized location.
Advanced search filters: Narrow results by agency, category, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines to find relevant opportunities quickly.
Email alert system: Receive notifications about new opportunities matching your saved search criteria and interest areas.
Direct application links: Access application packages and submission portals directly through the platform’s integrated system.
There are no subscription fees, premium tiers, or hidden costs associated with searching for or applying to federal grant opportunities through this platform.
Many users report frustration with the platform’s dated interface and complex navigation system. The application process can be technically challenging with frequent system timeouts during submission.
Additionally, federal grants also typically involve extensive compliance requirements and lengthy applications that may overwhelm organizations without dedicated grant staff or prior federal grant experience.
Foundation Directory Online provides the most comprehensive database of foundation and corporate funders, offering detailed profiles and historical giving data to help identify the most promising foundation funding prospects.
Extensive funder profiles: Access detailed information on over 100,000 foundations and corporate donors, including giving priorities and restrictions.
Historical funding data: Review past grant recipients, award amounts, and funding patterns to assess your competitive position.
990 tax form access: Analyze funders’ tax returns to understand their financial capacity and giving trends over time.
Powerful search capabilities: Filter potential funders by geographic focus, subject area, recipient type, and typical grant size.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $54.99/mo | Basic profiles, search filters, 990 forms |
| Professional | $219.99/mo. | Advanced search, RFP alerts, data visualization |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Team access, API integration, custom reports |
The high subscription cost is prohibitive for many small nonprofits, especially those with limited grant seeking budgets. Users report that the learning curve can be steep, with many features not immediately intuitive.
The platform also focuses exclusively on foundation and corporate funding, requiring separate research tools for government grants or individual donors.
GrantWatch offers a diverse collection of grant opportunities for nonprofits, small businesses, individuals, and faith-based organizations, with regular updates and detailed listings beyond traditional foundation and government sources.
Diverse funding sources: Access grants from foundations, corporations, federal and state agencies, and specialized funders in one platform.
Pre-application resources: Information about workshops, webinars, and technical assistance to strengthen applications.
Funding history details: Review past funding patterns to help gauge your competitiveness for specific opportunities.
Regular updates: New grant opportunities added daily with email alerts for matching opportunities.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | $18/month | 24/7 Complete Access for\ One Week |
| Monthly | $45/month | Full access with a monthly commitment |
| Quarterly | $90/month | Complete Access for\ Three Months |
| Annual | $199/year | Full access with annual commitment |
Many users complain about the outdated interface that makes navigation cumbersome and time-consuming. Some report that listings occasionally contain incomplete information or expired opportunities. The search functionality is less sophisticated than newer platforms, often requiring more manual filtering to find truly relevant opportunities for specific organizations.
| Website | Cost | Best For | Key Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrumentl | Starts at $179/mo | Grant matching | AI-powered matching, opportunity scoring | High price point |
| GrantStation | $199/year | International opportunities | Global funder database, deadline tracking | Limited evaluation tools |
Once you’ve identified potential grant opportunities, the next challenge is determining which ones to pursue. Not all grants are created equal, and applying for the wrong ones wastes precious time and resources.
Instrumentl revolutionizes grant research by using artificial intelligence to match your organization with relevant opportunities, saving hours of manual searching and helping prioritize the most promising prospects.
AI-powered matching: Proprietary algorithm analyzes your organization’s profile against thousands of grants to identify the best matches.
Opportunity scoring: Numerical ranking system helps prioritize applications based on alignment with your mission and programs.
Funder intelligence: Detailed insights into giving patterns, preferences, and decision-making criteria of potential funders.
Project tracking: Collaborative workspace for managing applications from research through submission with team accountability features.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $179/month | 5 projects, Automatic deadline reminders, Get matched with relevant grants |
| Standard | $299/month | 10 projects, 390,000+ funders, see giving trends, Centralize your team’s grant work |
| Professional | $499/month | 20 projects, Personalized onboarding & training, Draft winning proposals, Tracker with finance tracking |
| Organization | $899/month | 40 projects, Single sign-on, API access, 10 users, Branded PDF Reports |
The high monthly cost makes Instrumentl inaccessible for many small nonprofits or organizations with limited grant seeking budgets. Some users report that the AI matching can be hit-or-miss. The platform also requires significant time investment in setup to generate accurate matches.
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven support.
GrantStation provides a global perspective on grant opportunities with particular strength in international funding, making it valuable for organizations working beyond U.S. borders.
Global funder database: Access to U.S. and international grantmakers, including foundations, corporations, and government entities.
Detailed funder profiles: Comprehensive information on priorities, guidelines, and application processes for each funder.
Deadline management: Tools to track upcoming deadlines and manage application timelines across multiple opportunities.
Educational resources: Webinars, tutorials, and articles on effective grant seeking and proposal development.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership | $199/year | Database, grant search tools, grant strategy guides, Proposal writing tutorials & templates, Timely funding opportunity updates, Industry insights, planning tools |
| 2 Year Membership | $299/year | Same as above! |
Users report that the interface feels outdated compared to newer platforms, with less intuitive navigation and search functionality. The database sometimes contains less detailed information than specialized platforms focused on specific funding types. Some also note that the platform requires more manual searching and evaluation than AI-powered alternatives.
| Website | Cost | Best For | Key Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grantboost | Free - Paid from $19.99/month | AI-powered writing | AI proposal generation, customizable outputs | AI requires human review |
| ChatGPT | Free - Paid from $20/mo | Collaborative writing | robust integrations, template library | Higher price point |
Writing compelling grant proposals is often the most time-consuming part of the grant process. The right tools can help you create more persuasive applications in less time.
Grantboost uses advanced AI technology to transform the grant writing process, generating tailored proposals based on your organization’s unique details and the specific requirements of each opportunity.
AI-powered proposal generation: Creates customized grant content based on your organization’s mission, programs, and the funder’s priorities.
User-Friendly Survey Input: Complete a simple survey about your team, mission, and funding goals to get started.
Grant Opportunity Analysis: Paste or input grant opportunity details, and Grantboost’s AI extracts and analyzes the information to craft effective responses.
Customizable Outputs: AI generates proposal drafts based on industry best practices, with easy editing options to align with your organization’s voice.
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Best practice templates, 40 monthly AI boosts, 4 templates |
| Pro | $19.99/month | Unlimited AI access, unlimited templates, early feature access |
| Teams | $29.99/month | Team access, prioritized feature requests, priority support |
Using Grantboost, teams can collaborate within the shared workspace, with multiple members contributing to and refining proposals simultaneously. The AI also incorporates tried-and-true strategies to create compelling applications that resonate with funders.
Read Next: Top 5 Free Grant Writing Software Solutions for Nonprofits on a Budget (2024)
| Website | Cost | Best For | Key Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundant Technologies | Custom pricing | Complete lifecycle management | Application tracking, deadline management | Complex for small organizations |
| Submittable | Custom pricing | Streamlined submission | Application forms, review tools | More funder-focused |
Managing grant submissions across multiple funders with different requirements and deadlines can quickly become chaotic without proper systems in place.
Foundant Technologies offers comprehensive grant management solutions that handle every stage of the grant lifecycle, from application to reporting, with robust tracking and collaboration features.
Complete lifecycle management: Tools for every stage from application preparation through final reporting and renewal.
Deadline tracking: Automated reminders and calendar integration to ensure no deadlines are missed.
Team collaboration: Shared workspaces where multiple team members can contribute to proposals and reports.
Document management: Centralized storage for application materials, supporting documents, and funder communications.
Foundant Technologies offers custom pricing based on organization size, grant volume, and feature requirements. Contact their sales team for a personalized quote based on your specific needs.
The comprehensive nature of the platform comes with significant complexity that can overwhelm smaller organizations or those with limited technical capacity. Implementation typically requires dedicated staff time for setup and training. Some users report that the interface, while powerful, isn’t as intuitive as newer, more specialized tools focused on specific aspects of the grant process.
Originally designed for publishers managing submissions, Submittable has evolved into a powerful platform for grant applications and review, with particular strength in streamlining the submission process.
Form customization: Build tailored application forms that capture exactly the information you need from applicants.
Collaborative review: Tools for team-based evaluation of applications with structured scoring and feedback.
Applicant communication: Integrated messaging system for updates, questions, and decision notifications.
Integration capabilities: Connect with other systems including CRMs, financial software, and reporting tools.
Submittable’s pricing isn’t listed on their website. To get detailed information, you’ll need to book a meeting for a custom quote based on your organization’s needs.
The platform was originally designed more for the funder side of the grant process, making some features less relevant for applicant organizations. Users report that while the form-building capabilities are strong, the tracking and management tools for applicants are less developed.
| Website | Cost | Best For | Key Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackbaud Grantmaking | Custom pricing | Comprehensive management | Reporting tools, outcome tracking | Steep learning curve |
| AmpliFund | Custom pricing | Compliance and reporting | Automated reporting, compliance monitoring | Complex system |
Once you’ve secured funding, the work isn’t over. Grant management and reporting are critical to maintaining funder relationships and positioning yourself for future support.
Blackbaud Grantmaking (formerly GIFTS Online) provides enterprise-level tools for managing awarded grants, with particular strength in reporting, outcome tracking, and financial management.
Comprehensive reporting: Customizable templates and tools for meeting diverse funder reporting requirements.
Outcome measurement: Systems for tracking program impacts and progress toward stated objectives.
Financial management: Tools for monitoring grant expenditures, payment schedules, and budget compliance.
Blackbaud ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Blackbaud products for fundraising and financial management.
Blackbaud Grantmaking does not publicly list its pricing on their website. However, according to online sources, the pricing that starts at $4,995 per year.
The platform has a steep learning curve that typically requires dedicated staff training and ongoing technical support. Users also report that the interface feels dated.
AmpliFund specializes in grant compliance and reporting, with particular strength in managing government grants with complex regulatory requirements and financial tracking needs.
Compliance monitoring: Automated tools to ensure adherence to grant requirements and regulations.
Standardized reporting: Templates aligned with common government and foundation reporting formats.
Financial tracking: Detailed budget management and expenditure tracking against award parameters.
Performance measurement: Tools for documenting outcomes and impacts according to funder metrics.
AmpliFund doesn’t list its pricing on their website. However, according to online sources, the tool costs between $5,000 and $6,000 per year. For more precise pricing tailored to your organization’s needs, it’s recommended to contact AmpliFund directly for a custom quote.
The system’s complexity makes it most appropriate for organizations with dedicated grant management staff who can fully utilize its capabilities. Some users report that the initial setup process is time-consuming and requires significant customization.
The platform is optimized for government grants, potentially offering less value for organizations primarily managing foundation funding with simpler requirements.
When it comes to finding the right grants, you need more than just luck—you need the right tools. There’s a huge range of websites out there to help you research, apply, and track grants, but with so many options, it can be tough to know where to start.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best grant websites to help you navigate the process.
Foundation Directory Online: Best for researching grants, offering comprehensive insights into foundations and corporate funders.
Instrumentl: Best for evaluation with its AI-powered matching algorithm that prioritizes the most relevant opportunities, saving time in the evaluation process.
Grantboost: Best for proposal generation. It streamlines writing while maintaining quality, saving time on each application.
Grant Hub: Best for grant submission, offering essential submission and deadline tracking tools.
AmpliFund: Best for management, ideal for post-award compliance and reporting, particularly for government grants.
Each of these tools serves a unique purpose in the grant process, helping you save time at every stage, from research to submission. By leveraging these platforms, you can cut down on the hours spent navigating complex grant requirements, and instead focus your energy on advancing your mission and making a real impact.
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven support.
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