Best Foundation Research Tool I've Found Yet
Updated April 13, 2021

Best Foundation Research Tool I've Found Yet

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Foundation Directory Online (FDO)

Foundation Directory Online is used to research prospective funders for our organization. It has great search features and recommendations of similar foundations that you may be interested in. We're able to easily see where a foundation typically gives by location as well as category. Additionally, the ability to search through 990's is very helpful!
  • 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
  • While FDO has an advanced search feature, I've found that sometimes it tries to be too smart for its own good. For example, if I'm looking for the Virginia Smith Foundation it will pull all foundations located in the state of Virginia with some sort of affiliated Smith and not the Virginia Smith Foundation that I'm actually looking for.
  • I'm uncertain as to how often the information is updated on FDO.
  • Able to easily find new funding sources to apply for
  • Able to easily see the level of gifts foundations have given to similar nonprofit organizations
  • Provides basic contact information and requirements in an easy format
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.
Foundation Directory Online is the best foundation research software I have used. As a grant writing professional, it has come in very handy when I'm trying to get more information or context about a foundation and they do not have a website that I can research. The additional feature of suggesting similar foundations is very nice and can save lots of time when looking for new funding opportunities.