Free Grant Writing Tools & Resources
Everything you need to find, write, and manage grants — without spending a dime. Curated for small nonprofits.
Grants.gov
The official source for all federal grant opportunities. Search thousands of active grants, filter by eligibility and category, and set up email alerts. 100% free.
Candid Foundation Directory (Free Tier)
The most comprehensive database of U.S. foundations. The free tier gives basic search access. Earn the Gold Seal of Transparency for upgraded access.
Grantmakers.io
Open-source foundation data built from IRS 990 filings. Search by foundation name, location, or assets. Completely free with no registration required.
Grants.gov Workspace
Apply for federal grants directly through the Grants.gov Workspace. Create, manage, and submit applications with your team. Free for all applicants.
Google Docs + Templates
Free word processor with collaboration. Create grant proposal templates, share with reviewers, and track changes. Works great as a basic grant writing tool.
Google Sheets
Create a free grant deadline tracker with conditional formatting for overdue items, upcoming deadlines, and submission status. Shareable with your team.
Google Calendar
Set up a shared grant calendar with deadlines, reminder alerts, and recurring events for annual grant cycles. Free with any Google account.
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
Verify your nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status, check your organization's standing, and download determination letters. Essential for grant eligibility verification.
GrantChat (Free Tier)
AI-powered grant writing assistant with a limited free tier. Good for drafting specific sections like needs statements and program descriptions.
Sample Grant Proposal Library (NP Guides)
Free sample grant proposals, cover letters, and budgets from real nonprofit applications. Study successful proposals to improve your own writing.