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Find Funding Opportunities That Fit Your Nonprofit or Business Needs!

An Introduction to Foundation Directory Online

by Jerry Boccia 

Are you a grant applicant looking for funding for your nonprofit organization or business? Candid’s Foundation Directory Online (FDO) can help you find potential funders and streamline your grant search process!

As a grant applicant, one of the biggest challenges you may face is finding funders that align with your organization’s mission and goals. FDO provides a searchable database of over 200,000 grant-making foundations, corporate giving programs, and public charities. You can search by various criteria, such as location, subject area, and grant size, to find potential funders that match your needs. 

Using FDO can save you time and effort by providing comprehensive information on each funder, including their giving priorities, recent grants, and application requirements. Instead of spending hours searching for potential funders, you can quickly and easily access a wealth of information all in one place. This allows you to focus your efforts on funders that are most likely to support your organization and increase your chances of success. 

FDO can also help you discover new funding opportunities. By exploring the database, you may come across funders that you were previously unaware of or that you hadn’t considered before. This can expand your network of potential funders and increase your chances of finding the right fit for your organization. 

In addition, using FDO can help you stay up-to-date on trends in philanthropy. By understanding the giving priorities of foundations and other funders, you can tailor your grant applications to align with current trends and funding opportunities. 

Overall, FDO is an invaluable resource for grant applicants seeking funding. It provides a comprehensive database of potential funders, saves time and effort, helps identify new funding opportunities, and provides insights into philanthropic trends. If you’re a grant applicant looking for funding for your organization or project, Foundation Directory Online is definitely worth exploring. 

Tips when using Advanced Search Parameters 

By using these advanced search parameters, you can quickly and easily find funding opportunities that match your organization’s needs and interests. 

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to use the advanced search parameters in FDO: 

  • Click on the “Advanced Search and Filters” button located at the top of the homepage.  

  • Then click on the “Additional Filter” button to show a dropdown of additional search parameters. 

These specific fields can help you narrow down your search:

  1. In the “Subject Area” field, you can enter subject areas that align with your business. For example, Religious Affiliation, Community Development, Health and Safety, or Environmental. 
  2. In the “Geographic Focus” field, you can select the geographical area you are interested in. You can search by state, city, county, or even zip code. 
  3. In the “Population Served” field, you can enter the type of community you are looking to serve. 
  4. In the “Support Strategy” field, you can enter the type of support you are looking for. For example, Continuing or General Support, Capital and Infrastructure, or Leadership and Professional Development 
  5. In the “Grant Amount” slide bar, you can adjust the amount of funding you are seeking. You can also enter a range of dollar amounts or select a specific dollar amount. 
  6. In the “Transaction Type” field, you can choose how you would like to receive funding and monetary support. For example, Loans, Cash Grants, or Matching Grants. 

Once you have selected all the search parameters you like, click the “Search” button to generate your results.

How to Access?

Foundation Directory Online is available to all NHFPL patrons who are connected to the library’s WiFi or are using an NHFPL computer. While within the library, you will be automatically logged in to FDO. If you have any issues, please reach out to a library staff member. You can find this resource on our website in the Digital Toolbox or by using this link.  

If you would like help with FDO, or any other business or nonprofit-related questions, please feel free to schedule an appointment with our Business and Nonprofit Librarian, Alexandria Robison, or our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Rosalind Zavras. 

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