Grants 101: A How-To Guide for Nonprofits

Summary

Experienced nonprofit professionals are likely very familiar with various grant systems and programs. However, for those entering the sector, or in a new role, it can feel very overwhelming and confusing. So let’s break it down: What exactly are grants and how do we find them?

What are Nonprofit Grants?

Grants, and by extension, grant writing is the process of applying for funding from foundations, corporations, government bodies, or community organizations. These can take various forms, from the offering of in-kind services, to credits to a particular vendor, to simple funding. Generally, they can be categorized by the type of institution providing the funds: government grants (federal, provincial, or municipal), foundation grants, and corporate grants.

Essentially, it’s money (restricted to certain activities or unrestricted) that could help fund your nonprofit’s next big initiative. In fact, many nonprofits rely on grant funding to seed any new initiatives and even to support their core operating costs. Most grants typically focus on supporting a particular function or project, rather than an organization as a whole, so specificity is key!