# Funder information and where to find it

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/01/19/funder-information-and-where-to-find-it/
- Published: 2022-01-19T09:00:00+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Finding funding is a perennial challenge – but the good news is, there are lots
of sources out there. The question is how to find the right matches for your organisation
and need.**

Here’s a quick summary of some of the key sources of funding and funder information
available to good causes in the UK – both free and paid for.

Firstly, many community foundations and CVSs (council for voluntary service) provide
funding databases, and those that don’t often have online lists of local funders.

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Others, such as infrastructure bodies, grant makers, and councils, also produce 
online funder lists, which can be quick and easy to access.

There are also UK country databases, such as those held by Foundation Scotland, 
WCVA and NICVA.

Some big and specialist / sector specific funders have their own search engines 
for their funds, such as the National Lottery, arts councils and sports national
bodies.

Regulators have their own databases too, which can be worth a look, and there are
some good UK Government search engines covering grants, contracts, and councils.

Free sources include Funding Finder, and Idox’s My Funding Central (for those with
a turnover under £30k p.a.), and regional databases, such CVSs, which are often 
free, as are those belonging to grant makers like Arts Council England, and online
funder lists.

Of course, some databases are more sophisticated than others. Funding Finder and
online funder lists are quick and simple to access, so good for those with limited
expertise, digital skills, or time. Others, like 360Giving’s GrantNav, where 190
funders publish their grants data in the [360Giving Data Standard](https://www.threesixtygiving.org/support/standard/),
and the regulator databases enable you to carry out more detailed research, which
can take a bit more time and some skill. DSC and Idox also offer more sophisticated
search options and greater detail on each grant maker.

#### How to choose

So, how to choose? Rather than focusing just on the price, it’s important to think
about what you need, says Ian McLintock, founder of the Charity Excellence Framework
and Funding Finder:

> “Every funding database offers different functionality, sectors, and costs. If
> I were a professional, I’d probably choose DSC, if money was tight, maybe Grants
> Online; for community groups, a CSV or community foundation database; and for 
> specific searches, the big grant maker search engines.  Funding Finder has less
> sophisticated searches and funder detail, but is free, quick and simple to use,
> with click through to 100K+ funders globally and specific search categories for
> minoritised groups.”

Anastasia Nikolic, Marketing Manager at Brevio agrees. She advises:

> “Start with defining your funding need. This means looking at the specifics of
> the project you require funding for, such as the focus areas and beneficiaries
> of the project, how much funding you require, where the project is based, and 
> when you will need the funding.
>  
> “Next, research funders that might be interested in funding your project. There
> are different platforms available with large databases of funders, and those that
> use AI to tailor grants and funders to your specific funding need could save you
> a lot of time. To help you choose the right one, look at previous success stories,
> how they can support you, and pricing, and talk to the team. It’s important to
> choose a platform that has the right customer support in place and values your
> feedback.”

#### 20 sources worth checking out

 1. Charity Excellence Framework Funding Finder (free)

2. 360Giving’s GrantNav (free)

Geraldine Tovey, Policy & Engagement Manager at 360Giving shares:

> “Aside from the [GrantNav](https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/) site, we encourage
> organisations to explore other sources of open data such as the [Charity Commission Register](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/),
> [OSCR Register](https://www.oscr.org.uk/search/) and [Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search).
> This [360Giving blog](https://www.threesixtygiving.org/2021/03/30/best-resources-for-fundraisers-to-search-funders/)
> gives an example of how fundraisers can use the Charity Commission Register to
> identify potential funders. Another good source of publicly available information
> is the statutory accounts of similar charities which often list their funders.
>  
> “We’d also recommend looking locally. Many councils for voluntary services and
> community foundations have lists of local funds available on their websites, such
> as [Support Staffordshire](https://www.supportstaffordshire.org.uk/whats-happening/funding).”

3. GrantsOnline (free)

4. Grantfinder (subscription)

5. Government search engines including Contracts Finder & Innovate UK (free)

6. Charity Commission / OSCR / CCNI registers (free)

7. Get Grants Funding Finder (free)

8. DSC funding directories – such as The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (£125 
for hard copy)

9. Idox’s My Funding Central (free for charities with annual turnover under £30k

10. DSC’s Funds Online (subscription)

11. Country databases such as Foundation Scotland’s (free), NICVA’s GrantTracker(
subscription), and WCVA’s Funding Wales (free)

12. Local CVS and VCSE support services (free)

13. Brevio (free trial, then subscription)

14. The Funding Network (free but requires being sponsored by a TFN member

15. Websites of big funders, like the National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council
etc.

16. The websites of networks like London Funders, WM Funders Network, & Environmental
Funders Network can throw up usual names (free)

17. The websites/annual reports of grantmakers are also worth looking at for a list
of whom they funded, for what, and how much (free)

Jay Kennedy, DSC Director of Policy & Research, advises:

> “When examining reports and accounts, look for examples of previous charities 
> or projects that the funder has supported to see whether they’re similar to your
> own. Also, see how much money the grant-maker gives annually and how much it gives
> in grants. What’s the range in grant size? Is the total given going up or down?
> Do they have strategies or plans for the future that you might fit into in the
> future, even if you don’t now? Do they give to the same organisations every year,
> or completely different ones? These kinds of information can help you form a judgment
> about whether it’s a potentially good target for you.
>  
> “It can also be a really good idea to give the grant-maker a call or email to 
> explain your project and talk about a potential application, assuming you can 
> find a phone number or email address.”

18. The websites of similar/competitor charities – they often acknowledge funders
online as well as sometimes in their annual report and accounts (free)

19. New government grants community pilot project – one to keep an eye on. Read 
more on this here.

20. Search engines – go deeper into the page listings than just the first few pages(
free)

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