Two of the most useful free tools for funder research are Candid and ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Learn how to use each one effectively.
Most grant seekers eventually find their way to Candid (the merged organization that includes GuideStar) and ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. Both surface public IRS data, including the Form 990s and 990-PFs that drive funder research. Both are free at their core.
But they’re not interchangeable. Each has strengths, and using them together is the most powerful free funder-research workflow there is.
This guide covers how to use each one and how to combine them.
TL;DR: Quick Answers
- What is Candid? The merged organization (Foundation Center + GuideStar) that maintains the most comprehensive U.S. nonprofit and foundation profile database.
- What is ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer? A free, fast tool by ProPublica for searching IRS 990 filings, with downloadable PDFs.
- Which is better? Different. Candid is deeper on funder profiles; ProPublica is faster for raw 990 access.
- Do you need a paid subscription? Free use covers a lot; Candid’s deeper foundation databases require subscription.
Candid: What It Is
Candid is the largest U.S. nonprofit information service. After the merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center, the organization provides:
- GuideStar profiles for nonprofits (organizational profile, 990s, financial summaries).
- Foundation Directory Online (FDO), a subscription product with deep foundation data, grant histories, and program officer contacts.
- Various data products including funder maps, research reports, and grant lookups.
For grant seekers, the most useful entry points:
- Free GuideStar profiles with 990s and basic information.
- Foundation Directory Online (subscription) for deep funder research, more on this below.
- Candid Learning for training resources.
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: What It Is
ProPublica is a nonprofit investigative newsroom; their Nonprofit Explorer is a free public-interest tool that:
- Aggregates IRS 990 filings.
- Lets you search by organization, location, type, and other filters.
- Provides downloadable PDFs of every 990.
- Updates as new filings post.
It’s fast, clean, and free. It doesn’t try to be a complete funder-relationship-management system; it’s a focused data tool.
How to Use Each for Funder Research
Start in ProPublica when you have a name. If you’ve heard of a funder and want to read their 990 quickly, ProPublica is fastest. Search, click, download.
Use ProPublica to scan grant lists. 990-PFs have detailed grant lists in PDF, ProPublica gives you those PDFs directly.
Use Candid GuideStar for organizational profiles. Nonprofit profiles with mission statements, financial summaries, and standardized data make Candid useful for both qualifying as a grantee and researching funders.
Use Foundation Directory Online when you need depth. FDO’s structured foundation data, with grant histories, geographic focus, program areas, and program officer contacts, is hard to match. Many libraries provide free access.
Cross-reference. Use ProPublica’s raw 990s alongside Candid’s structured profiles when you want both the data and the synthesis.
A Practical Workflow
A useful research routine for a single prospect:
- Search Candid (GuideStar) for the foundation’s organizational profile. Read mission, programs, and recent activities.
- Pull the most recent 990 or 990-PF from ProPublica. Download the PDF.
- Scan the grant list. Note grantees similar to your organization. Check geographic patterns and award sizes.
- Check board and officers. Note any names in your network.
- Cross-check the funder’s own website. Mission, application instructions, and any deviation from what the 990 suggests.
- Record findings. Add to your prospect list with notes.
This workflow takes 15–30 minutes per prospect. The first dozen feel slow; after that you build pattern recognition fast.
Library Access to FDO
Foundation Directory Online’s subscription is significant, but many public and academic libraries provide free in-library access through the Candid Cooperating Collections network. Check whether yours does; for many small nonprofits, this is the single best free funder-research resource you can access.
What These Tools Don’t Replace
Candid and ProPublica give you data and synthesis. They don’t replace:
- Reading the funder’s own website. Priorities and application instructions live there.
- Talking to program officers. Conversations reveal what 990s can’t, see how to research a funder.
- News and field knowledge. Peer organizations in your field often know which funders are responsive and which are effectively closed.
- Continuous monitoring. Funder priorities and people shift; a snapshot from a 2023 990 may not match 2026 reality.
How Grantboost Helps
Funder data tools like Candid and ProPublica are powerful but slow to use one funder at a time. Grantboost automates the discovery layer, continuously scanning funding sources and scoring opportunities for fit, so your prospect list comes ranked rather than assembled from scratch.
You still benefit from manual research for top prospects, that’s where 990s and program-officer relationships pay off. But you don’t have to do the initial screen by hand for hundreds of funders.
Try Grantboost free and skip the prospect-screening grind.
Read next:
- Reading Form 990 for Funder Research: A Practical Guide
- How to Research a Funder Before You Apply (Funder-Fit Checklist)
- We Tried & Tested 8 Best Grant Databases — Here Are the Top 3
Further Reading
- Candid (GuideStar / Foundation Directory)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
- Wikipedia: Candid (organization)
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.