Grant Goldmine: Finding Funders with Form 990s
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the grant search process, you’re not alone. With thousands of foundations across the country, it can be hard to know where to start—or how to tell which ones are the best fit for your nonprofit. Fortunately, Form 990s can give you a roadmap.
Form 990s are annual public tax documents that provide an inside look at a foundation’s grantmaking history. Think of them as a window into a funder’s priorities, patterns, and preferences. By learning how to mine these forms for information, you can save time, strengthen your proposals, and improve your chances of funding success.
Why 990 Research Matters
Grant writing isn’t just about having a compelling mission—it’s about matching your mission with the right funder. Digging into 990s helps you:
Identify alignment – Spot funders who have supported missions or programs like yours.
Gauge giving levels – Understand average grant sizes so your request is realistic.
Filter out mismatches – Avoid wasting time on funders who no longer support your type of work.
See geographic focus – Learn whether a funder prioritizes national, regional, or local giving.
Spot grant types – See if they typically fund one-time projects, multi-year commitments, or capacity-building initiatives.
These insights turn guesswork into strategy.
What Else You’ll Find in a 990
Beyond grantmaking history, Form 990s offer additional nuggets of information:
Mission statement – A concise description of the foundation’s focus and values.
Board members – Connections that may overlap with your organization’s network.
Financial data – A look at the foundation’s assets and how much it distributes annually.
Taken together, this gives you a fuller picture of what drives a funder’s giving decisions.
Tools for Accessing Form 990s
The good news? You don’t need expensive software to get started. These free tools make 990 research accessible to everyone:
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – User-friendly access to thousands of 990s.
GuideStar by Candid – Great for researching both nonprofits and foundations.
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search – Direct access to official filings.
For organizations ready to invest in more advanced prospecting, paid tools like Foundation Directory Online offer robust search filters, historical giving trends, and curated lists.
Putting 990 Data to Work
Once you’ve collected the information, use it strategically:
Build a targeted funder list – Focus on foundations with a clear track record of supporting work like yours.
Customize proposals – Mirror the funder’s language, priorities, and past giving behavior.
Personalize outreach – Reference shared values or highlight how your work aligns with their past grants.
Bottom Line
Smart grant seekers know that success comes from alignment, not luck. By using Form 990s, you can move from casting a wide net to making informed, intentional funding requests. That’s how you turn cold applications into warm opportunities—and transform research into revenue.