Let me start with a confession: when most people hear the word grant, they imagine one magical pot of free money sitting on a shelf somewhere labelled “For You.”
I wish. 😄
The truth is, grants come in categories—and knowing which ones to look for can save you a ton of time, frustration, and coffee-fueled doom scrolling.
Over the years, I’ve learned that successful grant seekers don’t just ask “What grants exist?” They ask “Which types of grants actually fit my stage, mission, and capacity?”
Let’s break it down.
- Government Grants (a.k.a. The Big Leagues)
These are federal, state, and local grants—and they make up the majority of grant funding. In fact, roughly 70–75% of all grant dollars come from government sources.
The upside? Larger award sizes and recurring opportunities.
The downside? Paperwork. Lots of it. Think compliance, reporting, and deadlines that do not care about your busy schedule.
Best for: Organizations with solid systems, patience, and a strong alignment with public priorities like education, health, infrastructure, or workforce development. - Foundation Grants (Mission Meets Mission)
Private and community foundations are where many nonprofits start—and for good reason. These funders care deeply about specific causes and often fund innovation, pilot programs, and underserved communities.
There are over 130,000 foundations in the U.S., and most of them are small to midsize (which means relationships matter).
Best for: Clear missions, strong storytelling, and organizations ready to build long-term funder relationships. - Corporate Grants & Sponsorships (Values + Visibility)
Corporations give billions each year, often through corporate foundations or CSR programs. These grants usually align with brand values, employee engagement, or community impact.
Translation: they’re not just funding your work—they’re funding how your work reflects on them.
Best for: Programs with measurable outcomes, community reach, and opportunities for visibility or partnership. - Research & Innovation Grants (Show Me the Data)
These grants fund discovery, testing, and problem-solving. They love evidence, logic models, and sentences that include words like methodology.
Best for: Universities, researchers, and organizations that enjoy metrics almost as much as impact. - Capacity-Building & Planning Grants (The Glow-Up Grants)
These don’t always sound sexy, but they’re game-changers. Capacity grants fund things like technology, staffing, strategy, and systems.
Best for: Organizations ready to grow smarter, not just bigger.
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And I hope to see you at my understanding grant writing and fundraising webinar on January 31st.
Register HERE for Understanding Grant Writing 2026: