How to Find Foundations That Fund Your Cause Using Free IRS 990 Data

Most small nonprofits don't have a prospect researcher or a pricey database subscription. But nearly every private foundation in the U.S. files a public tax return with the IRS each year, and that return shows who the foundation gave money to, how much, and often how to apply. Learning to read it is one of the most useful grant-seeking skills you can build, and it costs nothing.

This guide explains what a Form 990-PF is, what to look for, and a step-by-step process using free tools.

What is a Form 990-PF?

Private foundations file Form 990-PF, the private foundation version of the annual information return. (Most public charities file Form 990, 990-EZ, or the 990-N e-Postcard instead.) The IRS posts the form and its instructions on its About Form 990-PF page.

Because these returns are public, you can see a foundation's real giving, not just what its website says. That matters, because many small family foundations have no website at all.

What to look for on a 990-PF

You don't need to read every page. Focus on these sections. (Part numbers below match recent versions of the form; older returns may number parts differently, so look for the section titles.)

The grants paid list

This is the most valuable part. In the Supplementary Information section (Part XIV on recent forms; older returns, such as the 2019 form, label it Part XV), line 3 is "Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment." It lists each recipient's name and address, the purpose of the grant, and the amount.

Read it like a map of the foundation's real interests:

Some foundations attach the list as a separate statement near the end of the filing, so if the line says "see attached," keep scrolling.

Application information

Line 2 of the same Supplementary Information section covers grant programs. It includes:

Answers here can be brief or out of date, so use them as a starting point and check for a website before you reach out.

Assets and total giving

Near the top of the first page, the form asks for the fair market value of all assets at the end of the year, and Part I includes a line for contributions, gifts, grants paid. Together, these tell you the foundation's size and how much it actually gives each year. A foundation with modest assets may give only a handful of small grants.

Officers, directors, and trustees

Part VII lists the foundation's officers, directors, trustees, and managers. For small family foundations, these are often the decision makers. Knowing the names can help you spot board connections, but a polite, professional approach through the stated application process is still the right first step.

A step-by-step process using free tools

Step 1: Make a starter list from peer organizations

Think of three to five nonprofits similar to yours: same cause, same region, similar size. Foundations that funded them are your best leads.

Many larger nonprofits thank funders in their annual reports or on their websites. You can also search funders' filings directly in the next step.

Step 2: Search filings on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer is free and doesn't require an account. It includes organizations that file Form 990-PF, along with summary financial data and links to PDF and digital copies of full returns where available. You can search for an organization or a person, or search the full text of filings.

Full-text search is the key trick. Search for the exact name of a peer organization, in quotes, and you may find foundation filings that list it as a grantee. You can also search for your city or county name together with a cause keyword to surface local funders.

When you open a foundation's page, look at several years of filings, not just one. Giving can change a lot from year to year.

Step 3: Confirm status and find filings on the IRS site

The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) lets you check an organization's tax-exempt status and look up filings, including Form 990 series returns, 990-N e-Postcards, Publication 78 data (eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions), the automatic revocation list, and determination letters. It's useful for confirming that a foundation is active and for finding returns. The IRS also offers bulk Form 990 series downloads if you're comfortable working with large data files.

Step 4: Check Candid's free profiles

Candid (the organization formed from GuideStar and Foundation Center) has a profile for every IRS-registered nonprofit. Candid has been combining GuideStar and Foundation Directory into a single platform called Candid search. A free account gives you limited search results and basic profile views. Detailed grants data and unlimited searching are part of paid plans; see Candid's pricing page for current options.

Two free routes are worth knowing about: Candid partner locations, often public libraries and nonprofit resource centers, offer free on-site access to Candid search, and Candid has offered free paid-plan access to some small nonprofits through promotions. Check Candid's site for current details.

Step 5: Score your prospects

For each foundation, write down:

Keep the foundations that pass most of these checks. A short list of 10 to 20 well-matched funders is worth more than 200 names you'll never contact.

Step 6: Read the foundation's own materials before applying

If the foundation has a website, read its guidelines and recent news. Filings often lag behind current priorities, so the website is the final word when they disagree.

What about paid databases?

Paid tools can save time if you're doing a lot of research. Two common ones:

Neither is required. Everything in the step-by-step process above can be done with free public data. It just takes more time.

A few cautions

Want someone to do the digging?

If you'd rather spend your time on programs than on tax forms, CivicVane can help. Our Grant Prospect Report ($149) gives you at least 20 ranked funders that give in your service area, ranked by fit with your mission and budget, with giving history and typical grant sizes from IRS Form 990-PF filings and how to apply as each funder filed it with the IRS, delivered as a PDF report.

Already have a funder in mind? A Single-Foundation Brief ($99) takes a deep dive on one funder, with several years of giving history, past grantees, how to apply, and a plain go / no-go read on fit. A 3-pack is $249.

Sources

All links checked on October 25, 2026.

Last checked 2026-10-25.