United
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
All applications only received online – apply now. If you have any questions filling out the form, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What are the application deadlines?
Please review our guidelines for your specific area’s deadlines.
When will I find out if I’ve received the grant?
We review requests in due course after the close of the application cycle. Due to the volume volatility, we cannot predict the exact length of time. Please review our guidelines for your specific area’s timelines.
I’m running a race and am looking for sponsors. Can you the Foundation sponsor me?
We regret that we do not sponsor individuals.
My organization is based in a community you serve, but our work is in Africa. Can I still apply for a grant?
Unfortunately, no. All nonprofits must serve people in our communities.
How can I let you know that a team member volunteers at my location?
On the online submission form, there is a space for you to provide information related to team members that volunteer or serve on your organization’s board. We highly recommend you fill in this section.
How do I know what communities you serve?
To see what communities we serve, select a location by clicking ‘change’ the top of this website .
Do you support 501(C)(4) organizations?
No, we only support organizations with a valid 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and schools recognized by the government. If you are unsure if your organization has this designation, we recommend you look it up at http://nccsweb.urban.org/PubApps/search.php. If your organization is listed as a 501(c)(3) or B20, you are eligible to apply.
Do you provide seed money?
Typically no.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
Feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
Additional Grant-Writing Resources
- Community Foundation LocatorSearch for community foundations by state or zip code (the locator is near the bottom of the page).
- Corporate Giving OnlineExplore The Foundation Center’s fee-based online database of corporate donors that support nonprofit organizations and programs through grants and donations. Requires a paid subscription.
- Foundation Center OnlineThe Foundation Center is an independent nonprofit information clearinghouse that collects, organizes, analyzes, and disseminates information on foundations, corporate giving, and related subjects.
- Foundation FinderUse the free Foundation Finder to search for organizations by name. Additionally, you can search the Center’s databases of more than 98,000 grant makers and more than 1.7 million grants, for a monthly or annual fee.
- Foundation Grants to IndividualsFor a low monthly fee, you can search the Foundation Center’s online database of over 8,500 foundation and public charity programs that fund students, artists, researchers, and other individual grant seekers.
- FundsNet Services OnlineAt the Fundsnet site, you can find funding organizations by category and subject area, including: foundations, national grant makers, regional funders, international funders, government funding, and more.
- Grant Seekers ToolboxFrom the Donors Forum of Chicago, this site delivers a step-by-step tutorial on how to find funding.
- Grant SpyThis is a commercial site for grant seekers who are looking for federal, foundation and state grants. For a monthly fee, you can sign up to receive daily bulletins on new and updated grants.
- Grant WatchThe most up-to-date grants funding website for nonprofit grants, grants for small businesses, federal government grants, foundation grant funding, grant assistance programs, state grants, city grants and local grants.
- Grant Writer TeamA tool to solicit grant writers and find one who meets your organization’s needs.
- Grantsmanship CenterThe nonprofit sector’s leading source of training and funding information.
- Grants and Related Resources GuideFind reference guides and information sources, blogs, grants for nonprofits, grants for individuals, funding for business and economic development, national grant makers, international and foreign grant makers, funding opportunities, and much more.
- Guide to GrantsSearch grants by subject or from a listing of grant makers, from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
- NonprofitReadyA free online professional development portal for nonprofits that includes over 200 e-learning courses, videos, and other training resources all focused on improving nonprofit operations.
- Online Orientation to the Grant-Seeking Process/Guide to Funding ResearchAn excellent overview from the Foundation Center which includes: approaches to funding research, who gets foundation grants, what funders look for, types of support given, hints on proposal writing, and lots more.
- Open Directory: Grant-Making FoundationsExplore listings and links, as well as foundations by category: animal welfare, arts, business, children, community foundations, corporate grant makers, development, education, environment, humanitarian, medical, music, peace, race, science, U.K., U.S., and women.
- Philanthropic Capacity Building Resource (PCBR) DatabaseThe Human Interaction Resource Institute has put together this database of more than 300 capacity building programs from U.S. foundations. You can get information about each program, search for programs by type, and obtain reports.
- proposalCENTRALAt this site, you’ll find numerous grant opportunities listed by the members of proposalCENTRAL, which is a collaborative effort among nonprofit, government and private grant-making organizations, primarily in the health area.
- RFP BulletinThe RFP (Request for Proposals) Bulletin is published weekly by the Philanthropy News Digest. Each RFP listing provides a brief overview of a current funding opportunity offered by a foundation or other grant-making organization.
- Typical Funding Sources and Advantages/Disadvantages of EachThis is a very comprehensive comparison of different types of funding sources in an easy-to-read table format.