How to Find a Grant

11 years ago, I was hired by a non-profit organization. Part of my job was to write grant applications. 

I was confident with my writing skills. I was a high school English teacher and a doctoral student. What I wasn’t confident with was where to find a grant. 

Those of you who are new to the non-profit world or don’t have a lot of experience with grant writing may have this same concern. You aren’t alone. In my grant writing workshops I am asked regularly where a person may find suitable grant applications. 

In Canada, there are over 10,000 public and/or private foundations. There are 680 corporate foundations. There also 550 federal and provincial government programs. There are a lot of funders out there.​ 

​ So how do you find them?​ 

​ There are a few ways.​ 

​ You can do a lot of the searching for free. It takes a bit of time to sift through government and company websites, but grants are often found on a community outreach page on an organization’s website. ​ 

​ Alternatively, you can conduct a google search of an organization’s name that you know, or think might provide grants to the community and add the word grant after it. For example, TD Canada Trust Bank has grants you can apply for. Simply completing a google search for TD Canada Trust Grants generates several hits. ​ 

​ You can also go to Grants Ontario or GrantsEdge to find out which grants are available. These are free government services you can use. You can also follow GrantsEdge on Facebook and Twitter to get notices about new funding opportunities.​ 

​ I personally subscribe to different organizations who give email alerts when they are offering a new grant. Community Foundations are great for this.  

 Following organizations, like the Trillium Foundation, on social media may also alert you to new grants when they come available. I’ve noticed a lot of other organizations, including banks, post on social media when granting opportunities are available.​ 

​ Paid grant searches include Imagine Canada, Big Online or GrantsStation. One or more of these can be accessed for free at the local library if you can’t or don’t want to afford the subscription fee. Subscriptions cost somewhere between $200-$600 annually depending on which paid search you subscribe to. This may or may not be in your budget. If not, visiting your local library is a great alternative.​ 

​ Also keep an eye out in the local newspaper, magazines, TV or the radio. Ads pop up from time to time. Reading, watching and listening to local information sources is key though, as many grants are specific to a certain geographical location.​ 

 No matter which grant you choose, look at the grant requirements closely to make sure that the grantor supports your type of project or your type of organization, in your geographical location. If not, it will automatically result in a rejected application and your time is wasted.​ 

 It may take a little time and a little patience, but you will likely find a funder who will support you and your project. 

 If you need any support in the process, we are here to help. 30-minute consultations are available.