Quick Tips: How to use Grant Connect to find funding prospects

Grant Connect is a fundraising research tool designed to help you find new funding prospects

and win more grants for your organization. You will have the most success using Grant Connect

if you are staff, a board member, or a volunteer seeking funding for a Canadian registered

charity. Try out the tips below to target the right funders for your cause.

Step 1: Run a search for funders based on your cause

● Select a cause from our dropdown menu or type in a keyword related to your charity’s

work. Be general and broad with your initial searches.

● Add filters to target the right funders for your cause. You can add a search filter for your

region, the population you serve, or the type of support your charity needs.

● Sort your results by the funder’s next deadline, the funder’s median gift size, or by how

closely they match to your search.

Step 2: Identify prospective funders

Consider the following questions to help you determine if a funder is the right funding prospect

for your charity:

● Do they have a funding program? Do the program guidelines align with your need?

● Are they open to a request for funding? And if so, when?

● Do their past gifts align with your charity’s fundraising goals?

● Where are they located? Where do they give the majority of their grants?

Step 3: Create a strong application using reliable data

● Determine if you are connected to key decision-makers that can help you in the “About”

section of a funder profile.

● Check out the funder’s evaluation criteria. Make sure you include their stated

preferences in your application.

● Carefully analyze the funder’s giving history. Based on this, determine how much you

should ask for.

Step 4: Consult additional resources

● Check out  Grant Connect Delta Training Webinar for tips on using Grant Connect to

find funders.

● Watch short, guided training videos for more tips and tricks:

○ Part 1 - Grant Connect Delta coaching: Navigating funder profiles

○ Part 2 - Grant Connect Delta coaching: Finding funders

● Visit Grant Connect Help Centre for additional support, questions and coaching.

Happy fundraising!