Foundation Directory Online - Detailed Review
Research Tools
Foundation Directory Online - Product Overview
Introduction to Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Primary Function
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a comprehensive research tool created by Candid (a merger of Foundation Center and GuideStar) to help nonprofit organizations identify and connect with potential grantmakers. Its primary function is to facilitate the search for foundations, corporations, and federal agencies that are likely to fund specific projects and causes.
Target Audience
The primary target audience for FDO is nonprofit organizations and their fundraisers. This tool is particularly useful for those seeking grants to support their projects and initiatives.
Key Features
- Extensive Database: FDO includes profiles of over 239,000 grantmakers, including private and independent foundations, corporate giving programs, U.S. federal funders, public charities, and international foundations.
- Search Capabilities: Users can search using everyday language, such as their mission statement or key phrases describing their work. The search results include detailed profiles of grantmakers, descriptions of past grants, and information about recipient organizations.
- Detailed Profiles: Each grantmaker profile provides insights into their giving interests, key staff members, application procedures, and typical grant sizes. This information helps nonprofits tailor their approaches to increase the likelihood of securing funding.
- Additional Resources: FDO also includes access to IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF, which provide financial and programmatic details about the grantmakers and recipient organizations.
- Regular Updates: The database is updated weekly with new and updated grantmaker data, and daily updates include news, job opportunities, RFPs, publications, and articles.
- Advanced Features: Subscribers to FDO Professional can enjoy additional features such as auto-identifying past funders, saving searches, and tagging favorite prospects.
Access
FDO can be accessed for free at over 400 locations, primarily through libraries and other public access points. Subscribers can also use it from their own internet access points.
By leveraging these features, nonprofit organizations can more effectively identify and engage with potential grantmakers, increasing their chances of securing the funding they need.
Foundation Directory Online - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
The user interface of Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it accessible even for those without prior experience in grant research.
Search Interface
The search interface is straightforward and similar to a typical search engine. Users can enter keywords or descriptions of the type of grants they are looking for in everyday language. For example, if you are searching for grants related to an afterschool program, you can simply type “afterschool” into the search bar, and the database will generate relevant results.
Funder Profiles
Each funder profile in FDO is comprehensive and includes detailed information such as average award amounts, giving priorities, areas or regions where they give, contact information, and submission guidelines. This information is presented in a clear and organized manner, allowing users to quickly assess whether a funder is a good fit for their needs.
Dashboard Features
For users with a Professional or Enterprise-level subscription, FDO offers a dashboard where you can save funder profiles, mark them as prospects to research or apply to, and track the entire grants process. The dashboard also allows you to assign tasks and deadlines, ensuring that no steps are missed.
Data Accessibility
Users can access IRS Forms 990 directly from a foundation’s profile page, along with any associated news articles. This integrated access to various data sources makes research faster and more efficient.
Export Options
Search results can be downloaded into a spreadsheet (.CSV), saved as a PDF, or emailed to yourself, providing flexibility in how you manage and share the information.
Accessibility
While remote access is not available, FDO can be accessed in-person at various locations such as the Greater New Orleans Foundation or through Candid’s network of nearly 400 affiliated libraries and community foundations across the U.S. and globally. This ensures that nonprofits can utilize the resource even if they cannot afford a subscription.
Training and Support
Candid and its affiliated libraries often provide introductory webinars and training sessions to help users get started with FDO. These resources are invaluable for new users, ensuring they can maximize the benefits of the database.
Conclusion
Overall, the user interface of Foundation Directory Online is designed to be easy to use, with a simple and intuitive search function and comprehensive funder profiles. This makes it an effective tool for nonprofits and other organizations seeking grant opportunities.
Foundation Directory Online - Key Features and Functionality
Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Foundation Directory Online (FDO), a research tool by Candid (formerly Foundation Center), is a valuable resource for nonprofits to identify potential grantmakers. Here are the main features and how they work:
Global Search Bar
FDO features a global search bar where you can enter phrases describing your project or mission in everyday language. This search functionality helps you find relevant grantmakers, grants, and recipients quickly.
Comprehensive Results Page
When you enter your search phrase, FDO returns results categorized into:
- Grantmakers: Detailed profiles of foundations, companies, or government agencies that give grants. These profiles include the funder’s giving interests, key staff members, application procedures, and typical grant sizes and recipients.
- Grants: Descriptions of past grants given for similar work, helping you understand the types of projects that have been funded previously.
- Recipients: Organizations that have received funding for similar projects, which can provide insights into who has been successful in securing grants.
- 990s: Forms 990/990-PF from funders and recipients, offering additional financial and project details.
Advanced Search & Filters
You can refine your search using advanced search fields and filters to get more precise results. This feature helps in narrowing down the list of potential funders based on specific criteria such as location, subject area, and grant size.
Assessment Tool
FDO includes an assessment tool that guides you through a step-by-step evaluation to determine if a funder is a good match for your project. This tool helps in making informed decisions about which funders to approach.
My FDO
Subscribers can save searches, tag favorite prospects, and set up alerts. The “My FDO” feature allows you to access your saved searches, tags, and favorite grantmakers, making it easier to manage your fundraising efforts over time.
Projects and Grant Proposals
You can organize your fundraising efforts into projects and track your progress. FDO also allows you to track details related to grant proposals, including descriptions, associated projects, financial information, and communication history with funders.
Contacts and Communication
FDO helps you manage your relationships with funders by accessing their contact information and tracking your communication history. This feature ensures you stay connected and informed about your interactions with potential funders.
AI Integration
While FDO itself does not heavily integrate AI, it does offer automated features such as auto-identifying past funders and saving searches. However, these features are more about convenience and organization rather than advanced AI-driven insights. For more AI-driven grant management, tools like Instrumentl are often compared, but FDO remains a powerful resource for manual funder searches and detailed grantmaker profiles.
Conclusion
In summary, FDO is a comprehensive tool that provides detailed information on grantmakers, past grants, and recipients, along with features to manage and track your fundraising efforts. While it does not rely heavily on AI, it offers significant support for nonprofits in identifying and engaging with potential funders.
Foundation Directory Online - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Efficiency and Speed
FDO is praised for its efficiency in saving time and reducing research costs. It allows users to quickly search through thousands of profiles to find relevant funders, thanks to its advanced search capabilities that include filtering by location, grant size, and areas of interest.
User Interface and Search Functionality
The platform provides a user-friendly interface with comprehensive databases such as Grant Makers, Companies, Grants, and 990s. This facilitates easy access to information on grant makers and their funding activities worldwide.
Accuracy
Data Currency and Accuracy
While FDO offers detailed information on each foundation’s mission, priorities, and grantmaking history, there are concerns about the currency of the data. Some users have noted that the database includes a large number of outdated, inactive grant opportunities.
Grant Listings and Criteria
The grants listed in a grantmaker’s profile on FDO are generally based on the search criteria entered, but there can be anomalies. For instance, the “Most Common Grant Amount” may be misleading if it is based on the mode rather than the average or median grant amount.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Outdated Information
One of the significant limitations is the presence of outdated and inactive grant opportunities, which can lead to wasted time and resources.
Manual Search
Unlike some newer platforms, FDO does not offer “intelligent matching” and requires manual searching through hundreds of opportunities to find the right fit. This can be time-consuming and less efficient.
Grant Pipeline Management
FDO does not allow for the management of the entire grant pipeline from start to finish, nor does it facilitate effective tracking of progress or collaboration with team members. It also lacks integration with other systems and tools.
Interpretation of Data
Users need to be cautious when interpreting data such as the “Most Common Grant Amount” and the distinction between “Amount Funded” and “Grant Count” to avoid misleading conclusions.
Engagement
Reigniting Past Funder Relationships
FDO does offer tools to help reignite relationships with past funders by highlighting them in a convenient dashboard and allowing analysis of their characteristics and trends. This can be beneficial for securing ongoing support.
In summary, while FDO is a valuable tool for fundraising research due to its extensive databases and advanced search capabilities, it has several limitations, particularly regarding data currency, manual search requirements, and the lack of integrated grant pipeline management. Addressing these areas could significantly enhance its performance and user experience.
Foundation Directory Online - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure of Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Subscription Plans
Foundation Directory Online offers several subscription tiers, each with increasing levels of features and benefits:FDO Essential
- This plan starts at $31.58 per month, depending on the billing method.
- It provides access to a comprehensive listing of US-based foundations and corporate giving programs.
- Features include:
- Access to foundation listings with detailed information.
- Ability to view IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF directly from the foundation’s profile.
- News articles associated with each funder.
- Information on average award amounts, giving priorities, and contact details.
- The ability to save and track foundation profiles in the FDO Dashboard.
FDO Professional
- This plan starts at $118.67 per month, also dependent on the billing method.
- It includes all the features of FDO Essential, plus additional advanced tools.
- These tools enable more detailed research, such as enhanced search capabilities and more comprehensive data on funders.
FDO Enterprise
- The pricing for this tier is not publicly available and requires contacting Candid for a custom quote. This indicates it is the most expensive option, likely suited for large or highly active organizations.
Free Options
For those who cannot afford a subscription, there are free alternatives to access foundation data:Foundation Directory Quick Start
- This is a free version of Foundation Directory Online, providing public access to essential information on over 100,000 foundations and over 250,000 IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF.
- You can search for foundations by name, EIN, location, and assets or giving range. Registration is required to use this service.
In-Person Access at Candid Partner Locations
- You can gain free, in-person access to the full Foundation Directory at any of Candid’s partner locations. This allows you to use the full features of the database without a subscription.
Go for Gold Promotion
- Eligible nonprofits with annual revenue or expenses totaling less than $1 million and that earn a 2024 Gold Seal of Transparency can receive a free year of access to Foundation Directory Essential through Candid’s Go for Gold promotion.
Foundation Directory Online - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Other Tools
FDO does not have extensive integration features with other tools and platforms, unlike some of its competitors. For instance, while it offers valuable data on grantmakers and grants, it does not integrate with CRM systems like Salesforce, Virtuous, or Raiser’s Edge NXT, which are common in the nonprofit sector.
However, FDO does provide some useful connections:
- It includes LinkedIn integration, allowing users to connect with key decision makers at grantmaking organizations.
- The platform offers features like “My FDO,” which allows users to save searches, grants, and grantmakers for future reference, but this is more of a personalization feature within the platform rather than an integration with external tools.
Compatibility Across Devices and Platforms
FDO is accessible via web browsers, making it compatible with various devices that have internet access. Here are some details:
- Users can access FDO through library databases or by scheduling an appointment with organizations that provide access, such as the Kern Community Foundation.
- The platform is optimized for use on desktop and laptop computers, but it can also be accessed on tablets and smartphones through a web browser, although the user experience might vary depending on the device.
Limitations
While FDO is a comprehensive resource for finding grantmakers and grants, its lack of integration with other tools and platforms can limit its functionality for organizations that rely heavily on integrated systems for their grant management processes.
In summary, while Foundation Directory Online is a powerful tool for researching grant opportunities, its integration and compatibility are somewhat limited compared to more advanced grant management software like Instrumentl.
Foundation Directory Online - Customer Support and Resources
Access and Support
Free Access
Library Assistance
Training and Resources
Training Opportunities
1:1 Virtual Training
Online Librarian Service
Additional Features for Subscribers
Documentation and Guides
By leveraging these support options and resources, users of Foundation Directory Online can ensure they are well-equipped to find the grantmakers most likely to fund their projects.
Foundation Directory Online - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Comprehensive Database
FDO offers a very comprehensive listing of US-based foundations and corporate giving programs, including many grantmakers that do not have their own websites. This extensive database is a significant asset for nonprofits seeking funding opportunities.
Detailed Funder Profiles
Each funder profile on FDO is highly detailed, providing information such as average award amounts, giving priorities, geographic areas of focus, contact information, and submission guidelines. This makes research faster and more efficient.
Access to 990 Forms
Users can access IRS Form 990 directly from a foundation’s profile page, which is invaluable for researching a funder’s financial health and grantmaking activities.
News and Updates
FDO includes news articles associated with each funder, keeping users informed about recent activities and changes in the funding landscape.
Dashboard Features
The FDO Dashboard allows users to save foundation profiles, mark them as prospects, track the grants process, assign tasks, and set deadlines. This helps in organizing and managing the grant application process effectively.
AI-Powered Capabilities
By providing your nonprofit’s EIN, FDO’s AI can help identify funding opportunities more quickly and provide continuous support by highlighting past funders and analyzing their characteristics.
User-Friendly Interface
The database is described as very user-friendly, similar to using a search engine, and does not require prior experience. Users can enter search queries in everyday language to find relevant grants.
Disadvantages of Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
Subscription Costs
Using FDO requires a subscription, which can be costly. There are different tiers of subscriptions (Essential and Professional), with the Professional plan offering more comprehensive data but at a higher cost.
Limited Access to Some Profiles
Without a Professional or Enterprise-level subscription, users may be blocked from viewing certain funder profiles, although this is not a frequent issue.
Restrictions on Free Access
While some libraries offer free access to FDO, this access may be limited to specific times and may not include the full range of features, such as the Dashboard.
No Application System
FDO is a research and prospecting tool, not an application system for grants. Users need to use other platforms or methods to apply for grants.
In summary, FDO is a powerful tool for nonprofits seeking grants, offering extensive data and user-friendly features, but it comes with the requirement of a subscription and some limitations on access to certain profiles and features.
Foundation Directory Online - Comparison with Competitors
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) by Candid
Overview
- FDO is a comprehensive database that helps users find potential funders by searching through focus areas, geographic locations, and other criteria. It is known for its detailed information about foundations and user-friendly search features.
- It does not offer AI-driven grant writing tools or advanced grant management features. Instead, it focuses on providing a directory of funders with basic insights, often relying on manual searches and 990 reports.
Instrumentl
Overview
- Instrumentl stands out as a more advanced tool for grant management. It uses AI to match users with active grant opportunities from best-fit funders, eliminating the need for manual searches. It also provides AI grant writing tools, advanced funder insights, and comprehensive grant management features, including collaboration tools and post-award grant management.
- Unlike FDO, Instrumentl offers extensive customization and integrations with other software like Salesforce and Raiser’s Edge NXT. It streamlines the entire grant lifecycle, from discovery to reporting, making it a more holistic solution for grant management.
Candid GuideStar
Overview
- GuideStar is another product from Candid, but it is more suited for users who already know the name of the foundation they are researching. It provides detailed information about specific foundations but lacks the search features and funder discovery capabilities of FDO.
- GuideStar is ideal for those needing in-depth information on a known foundation rather than searching for new funders.
DonorPerfect
Overview
- While not specifically a grant management tool, DonorPerfect is a comprehensive fundraising solution that includes donation management, contact management, and reporting. It is more focused on overall fundraising activities rather than grant research and management.
Key Differences and Alternatives
- Grant Management: If you need a tool that manages the entire grant lifecycle, including AI-driven matching and grant writing, Instrumentl is a superior alternative to FDO.
- Funder Search: For detailed searches and discovery of new funders based on focus areas or geographic locations, FDO remains a strong choice.
- Comprehensive Fundraising: For organizations needing a broader fundraising solution that includes donation and contact management, DonorPerfect might be more suitable.
- Specific Foundation Research: If you already know the name of the foundation you are researching, GuideStar could be the better option.
In summary, while Foundation Directory Online by Candid excels in providing detailed information and search features for finding new funders, Instrumentl offers a more comprehensive and AI-driven solution for grant management, making it a strong alternative depending on your specific needs.
Foundation Directory Online - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Foundation Directory Online (FDO)
What is Foundation Directory Online?
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a research tool provided by Candid (formerly Foundation Center) that helps nonprofits find grantmakers most likely to fund their projects. It offers information and funding history for over 140,000 foundations, corporations, and federal agencies.How do I access Foundation Directory Online?
You can access FDO through various libraries and institutions that offer it for free. For example, University of Delaware users can access it via their library’s database list. If you are not affiliated with such an institution, you can subscribe to FDO for personal or organizational use. Subscribers can access additional features like saving searches and tagging favorite prospects.What types of information does Foundation Directory Online provide?
FDO provides detailed profiles of grantmakers, including their giving interests, key staff members, application procedures, and typical grant sizes. It also includes descriptions of past grants given for similar work, searchable 990 and 990-PF forms, and profiles of grant recipients and key decision makers.What are the different subscription plans available for Foundation Directory Online?
FDO offers several subscription plans. The Essential plan is the least expensive and includes 155,000 grantmaker profiles and other basic features. The Professional plan is more comprehensive, with 305,000 expanded grantmaker profiles, 2,100,000 recipient profiles, and additional tools. There is also an Enterprise Solutions subscription for larger organizations.Is there a free trial or discount available for Foundation Directory Online?
There is no free trial for FDO, and currently, there are no active discount codes available. However, subscribing to the annual plan can be more cost-effective than the monthly plan, with the annual plan costing $449 (which breaks down to $37.42 per month).How often is the data in Foundation Directory Online updated?
The data in FDO is updated weekly, ensuring that users have access to the most current information on grantmakers and their funding activities.What features are available to subscribers of Foundation Directory Online?
Subscribers can use features such as auto-identifying past funders, saving searches, tagging favorite prospects, and accessing additional tools like maps and charts. The Professional and Enterprise plans offer more advanced features, including in-depth profiles and federal grants information.Can I access Foundation Directory Online from anywhere?
Access to FDO can vary. If you are affiliated with an institution that offers FDO, you may be able to access it for free on campus or through a login off campus. Subscribers can access FDO from any internet connection.How can I use Foundation Directory Online to find the best potential funding sources?
You can use FDO by describing your funding needs in everyday language in the search box. The system will choose relevant search terms and return results from categories such as grantmakers and past grants. You can also use filters and assessment tools to quickly identify your best potential funding sources.What kind of support resources are available for users of Foundation Directory Online?
Users can access FAQs, feature guides, and video tutorials to help them get the most out of FDO. Additionally, many libraries and institutions that offer FDO may provide additional support and training resources.