Foundation Directory Online by Candid vs. DonorSearch

Beyond any pros or cons, the simple fact is that FDO is the industry standard for grant prospecting databases. Others like GrantStation, GrantSearch, and more can offer some other functionalities or different UX/UI, but ultimately I've never found something that other search platforms had that FDO did not. If you are a non-profit organization, you need a subscription to FDO if you have any serious interest in prospecting (and getting) institutional funding.

Incentivized

I would say DonorSearch is well suited as you set out to build donor profiles. I think there are excellent background information on spouses, addresses, real estate holdings, giving priorities, etc. I also like it for grant research - you can find funders who may be interested in your philanthropic priorities and occasionally what those timelines are. I would not suggest using this for absolute strangers to your organization - too much to work through.

• Summarizing foundation information (contact info, funding priorities, geographic priorities, etc.) in a user-friendly format
• Recommending similar foundations based on certain criteria, this is helpful when looking for new funding opportunities
• Being able to search through organization's 990s using crtl + F

Incentivized

• Broad inclusion of information
• Prior giving records
• Address information

• As this platform grows, more data will be available and I'm looking forward to even further narrowed search results.

Incentivized

• Too many names included even when the correct address has been provided for the initial query
• Not providing total clarity about DonorSearch specific definitions
• Providing too much info from low-quality profiles

Any question is answered within 24-48 hours, professionally. If one person can't answer right away, they will seek answers within their support group and find the answer for you.

Incentivized

I have also used Grant Station and GuideStar for foundation research and have found Foundation Directory Online to be the most user-friendly, provide the most detailed information about foundations, and to have the best search features in order to find the funders that I am looking for as well as to discover new funders

Incentivized

D&B Hoovers seems much more oriented towards a business looking to sell to clients - to increase their sales pitch opportunities. We had heard good things but the company does not seem oriented toward nonprofit success. I cannot find anything about the D&B Hoovers pricing available online but our DonorSearch subscription is worth it.

• We don't apply for many grants, however; we use look for resources to direct nonprofit when looking for additional funding outside of our funding process.

Incentivized

• There has not been a negative impact
• We have been able to get a jumpstart on many leads
• We are able to see whose giving aligns with our organization