GrantSeeker.io can be a helpful grant management tool, but I bet you’re tired of also having to invest in separate prospecting software. If so, it might be time to explore an alternative platform that can meet all your grant seeking and grant management needs.
Dive into our top picks for the best GrantSeeker.io alternatives, highlighting their key features, benefits, and pricing. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to choose the perfect grant management and prospecting tool for your organization.
Let’s transform your grant-seeking journey and unlock new funding opportunities!
Why You Might Look for a GrantSeeker.io Alternative
GrantSeeker.io has been a popular choice for grant management, but it comes with its own set of challenges that might prompt users to seek alternatives:
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Reason #1: Steep Learning Curve
Many users find GrantSeeker.io’s interface overly complex and difficult to navigate. The steep learning curve required to master this platform slows down the onboarding process and reduces efficiency.
As a grant professional, you know that time—quite literally—is money. Meaning the more time you spend learning how to navigate GrantSeeker.io, the less time you’re spending securing funds for your nonprofit.
Reason #2: Limited Grant Search Capabilities
Grantseeker.io lacks robust grant prospecting features; in fact, you have to manually search for funders on this platform, using a keyword search. Once you find a funder you’re interested in, you must search for active grant opportunities from them outside of the GrantSeeker platform, as they do not list them. This is a lot of additional work for you!
That said, it is quite likely that you will need to invest in additional grant search tools to find good-fit funding opportunities. This will not only increase costs but also add to your workload.
Another major drawback of GrantSeeker.io is its limited integration capabilities with major CRMs and other essential tools.
Fewer integrations means that you and your team will find yourselves manually updating data, which can be prone to errors and reduce your efficiency.
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For grant professionals, the inability to seamlessly integrate with other tools—accounting software, calendars, CRMs, etc.—means more time spent on administrative tasks and less on strategic grant-seeking activities.
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In this section, we’re going to dive into five alternatives to GrantSeeker, evaluating each based on several key criteria:
Features
Types of funders listed
User-friendliness
Popularity
Pricing
By the time we’re done, you should have a good grasp of the various GrantSeeker.io alternatives and which might be the best fit for you and your nonprofit. Let’s dive in!
1. Instrumentl
Instrumentl is a powerful platform that offers a comprehensive solution for managing the entire grant process—from grant prospecting to post-award management. Let’s explore it in more detail.
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Features
Instrumentl streamlines the grant process with its robust features, which are unmatched by competitors, including:
Acomprehensive database of grant opportunities, including grants from government entities, corporations, and foundations.
Smart matching technology to help you identify the best-fit opportunities for your organization.
A submission tracker and grants calendar to keep you—and your team—organized and on schedule.
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Multi-user collaboration tools to ensure seamless collaboration with your team.
Automatic deadline updates and reminders so you never miss a deadline for an application or grant report.
Advanced funder insights and 990 snapshots showing you easy-to-read data and valuable trends in funding.
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Instrumentl’s platform includes tools for grant prospecting, tracking, and post-award management, making it easier than ever to handle the many complexities of the grant lifecycle in one easy-to-use tool.
Types of Funders Listed
Instrumentl serves as an all-encompassing platform for discovering funding opportunities; its database lists funders and active grants from lots of diverse sources, including:
Local, state, and federal government agencies
Corporations
Associations/Societies
Foundations
With over 400,000 funders, 17,000 live RFPs, and 150+ new opportunities each week, Instrumentl’s grant database stands out from the other GrantSeeker.io alternatives and competitors on the market.
User Friendliness
Instrumentl is renowned for its intuitive, user-friendly interface, regardless of your level of tech proficiency. The platform features simple navigation, automated notifications for upcoming deadlines, and tools for collaboration, streamlining your grant processes from start to finish.
But you don’t have to take my word for it—there are countless happy Instrumentl customers out there willing to share their testimonials.
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Popularity
Instrumentl stands out among grant professionals as a popular tool for its comprehensive coverage of the entire grant lifecycle. Unlike other tools that focus primarily on prospecting, Instrumentl streamlines securing and managing grants from start to finish—increasing efficiency and revenue.
Elizabeth Burrows, Principal at Burrows Consulting, shares: ‍
“We can [open Instrumentl], pull up their 990 easily, click-click, and it’s done - that saves a lot of time for my team. You start adding up all that 15-30 minutes of search time {saved}...that’s money for my clients.”
Jan Spackman, Director of Grants at Sleep in Heavenly Peace, shares: ‍
“We’ve been using Instrumentl for just over a year. We brought in about $2 million last year, which was up a million over the year before.”
Instrumentl offers grant professionals a 14-day free trial (no credit card required!). This allows you to explore its features and benefits firsthand.
Following your free trial, Instrumentl offers a variety of different pricing plans tailored to nonprofits, universities, and fundraising consultants.
These plans range from $179 per month to $499 per month, depending on the number of projects and features you need access to. For more detailed information, check out Instrumentl’s pricing page.
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Side Note: We know that our pricing might be higher than some of the other tools listed here. However, we offer a one-stop-shop solution that provides a higher ROI with support throughout the whole grant lifecycle—from prospect research to post-award management. This makes Instrumentl the only tool you need in your grant toolkit, saving you money in the long run.
2. Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) by Candid is a solid resource for nonprofits, providing a comprehensive array of tools to facilitate connections with potential funders. This platform offers a variety of resources aimed at simplifying the grant search process.
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Features
FDO equips grantseekers with a handful of tools for their toolkit, including:
A databaseof US-based funders that includes advanced search capabilities
Funding alerts to make sure that grantseekers are alerted of new opportunities as soon as they arise
Historical data, including data on previously funded grants and other past giving trends
Here’s a note: While FDO offers info on active grants and RFPs, its main focus is on maintaining a solid funder database. This means that users have to manually search for RFPs since FDO does not offer smart matching functionality (unlike some of its competitors).
One more thing to keep in mind: FDO also lacks the tools to help you manage your grants in the post-award phase, meaning that you’ll need to invest in other solutions to help manage awarded grants. This can be costly and inefficient—an important consideration when choosing a GrantSeeker.io alternative.
Types of Funders Listed
FDO shares opportunities from a wide range of funders, including:
Foundations
Federal, state, and local governments
Corporations
User Friendliness
The Foundation Directory Online platform was designed with the user experience in mind and features intuitive search functions and a simple interface.
Based on our research, we identified some limitations with FDO when it comes to searching for open and upcoming RFPs and active opportunities; however, the detailed funder profiles and historical funding data make it easy to find funders.
Popularity
FDO is well-regarded and frequently used in the nonprofit sector, especially by organizations with strong fundraising programs. Its extensive database and ease of use make it a popular tool among grant professionals.
Pricing
FDO has three tiers of subscriptions that are tailored to meet different needs and budgets:
Essential Plan: Starts at $54.99 per month and provides access to a large portion of the database.
Professional Plan: $219.99 per month and offers enhanced search functions and additional funder data.‍
Enterprise Plan: Designed for larger organizations, and pricing is available only upon request.
3. GrantHub Pro
GrantHub Pro is an intuitive grant management solution designed to simplify the process of managing and tracking grants for nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations.
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Features
GrantHub Pro offers a range of standout features designed to support grant seekers:
A grant calendar to manage tasks and deadlines
Cloud-based storage for organizing and accessing grant-related documents
Automated reminders to ensure no deadlines are missed
Collaboration tools to allow team members to work together efficiently
Reporting tools to track grant performance and outcomes
However, the platform lacks intelligent matching, and they rely solely on their integrations with Foundation Directory Online and GrantStation for their grant information.
Additionally, they do not offer any training resources, blogs, or webinars to help you develop your skills as a grant professional.
Types of Funders Listed
GrantHub Pro provides access to a diverse array of funders, including:
Private foundations
Corporate foundations
Government agencies
Community foundations
User Friendliness
The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, featuring intuitive navigation and easy-to-use tools. The clean layout and straightforward design make it accessible even for those with limited technical expertise.
Popularity
Most users seem happy with GrantHub Pro; the tracking features and tools have helped many grant professionals optimize their workflows so they can work more efficiently.
However, some users raised concerns about GrantHub Pro’s accessibility. While many find it easy to navigate, some mentioned difficulty understanding GrantHub’s definitions, having trouble navigating the outdated website, and other small bugs that were troublesome to deal with.
GrantHub Pro’s pricing starts at $349/month, billed annually. This platform also charges a one-time implementation fee of $500, which is unique to many of the other GrantSeeker.io competitors we review in this article.
4. GrantStation
GrantStation stands out for its extensive database, strategic planning aids, and educational materials. Let’s examine GrantStation in more detail.
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Features
GrantStation offers a suite of features designed to boost your grant-seeking efforts:
An expansive database with a wide range of grant opportunities
Grant strategy-building tools to help you set objectives, develop a strategy, and create a grant calendar
Resources to help you craft winning proposals, including templates and examples
Notifications, alerts, and updates so you never miss an opportunity or a deadline
Webinars, on-demand learning, and newsletters to provide you with ongoing education
Like many of the GrantSeeker.io alternatives on this list, GrantStation fails to offer any grant management features to support you in the post-award phase.
Types of Funders Listed
GrantStation provides access to grants from a diverse array of funders, including:
Charitable foundations
Government agencies
Corporate funders
International opportunities
User Friendliness
GrantStation aims to provide a highly user-friendly experience with intuitive navigation and straightforward tools. Key features that users rave about include:
Search Functionality: Advanced search filters help users to pinpoint relevant opportunities swiftly.
User Interface: The platform’s design ensures easy navigation, making it accessible for both newcomers to grant-seeking and those with limited tech expertise.
Popularity
GrantStations receives mostly positive reviews from current users. On its Featured Customers page, the platform boasts an impressive overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Reviews remain consistently favorable on other websites, including G2:
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However, some users have raised concerns with the platform’s user-friendliness and the database’s comprehensiveness compared to its competitors.
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Pricing
GrantStation has a few different pricing options aimed to accommodate different needs and budgets:
One-Year Membership: This is normally priced at $699/year but is often available at a promotional price. For example, GrantStation is currently running a summer sale, with a one-year membership priced at $179.
Two-Year Membership: Priced at $249/year
5. Foundation Search
FoundationSearch excels in providing an extensive database of funding opportunities, making it a valuable tool for grant seekers.
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Features
FoundationSearch provides a variety of features to assist grant seekers in identifying and securing funding. Key tools include:
Advanced and customizable search filters: These filters help you find US foundations that match your specific criteria.
Comprehensive database: The database includes detailed funder profiles.
User-friendly search wizard: This tool allows you to search foundation profiles by deadline and keyword.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.Â
First, FoundationSearch focuses primarily on foundations, so it does not include information about any other types of funding opportunities.
Additionally, the platform lacks post-award grant management features, meaning you’ll need to use another tool or software for managing awarded grants.
Types of Funders Listed
True to its name, FoundationSearch focuses its database exclusively on US foundations.
The platform boasts a database with information on over 190,000 foundations.
From 1999 to 2022, it has uploaded more than 18 million grants, representing over $833 billion in funding. That’s a lot of grant dollars!
User Friendliness
FoundationSearch prioritizes user experience with its intuitive interface and easy-to-use search functionalities. Additionally, detailed funder profiles and historical funder data offer in-depth insights for all users.
Popularity
Full transparency: the only reviews we could find for FoundationSearch come directly from their website.
Clients there share positive feedback, particularly praising the helpful search functions and easy-to-navigate interface.
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Pricing
FoundationSearch does not disclose its pricing publicly. Instead, organizations must contact them directly for more information. Their sales team will collaborate with you to assess your nonprofit’s needs and determine if their services are a suitable match.
For more insights into the costs associated with this platform, you can refer to this article, which explores the different FoundationSearch pricing plans and helps identify the right one for you.
Is Instrumentl the Best GrantSeeker.io Alternative? There's Only One Way To Find Out
While we may be biased, we believe that Instrumentl is the top alternative to GrantSeeker.io. Here are a few things that make us stand out:
Automagical Deadline Reminders
Whenever a funder changes a deadline, you receive an email notification directly to your inbox, ensuring you never miss an important date again!
This feature is invaluable for staying organized, as missing a deadline can mean missing out on crucial funding.
As Cynthia Ceilan, Director of Institutional Giving at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, shares: ‍
"I love the ability to track everything in Instrumentl. Take deadlines for reports and email reminders I get, for example. I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night and think—oh my gosh, did I miss it?"
Integrated Information from IRS 990 Forms
Instrumentl analyzes data from a funder’s IRS 990 form and presents it as easily digestible 990 snapshots. These snapshots provide insights into funders’ financial health and grantmaking patterns, helping grant professionals make informed decisions about which opportunities to pursue.
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Intelligent Matching to RFPs and Funders
Instrumentl’s intelligent matching algorithm connects users with funding opportunities that align with their specific needs. The tool curates a list of funding matches—real, active grant opportunities—based on details about your nonprofit, such as location, mission, and funding requirements.
This feature really sets Instrumentl apart from its competitors, many of whom only connect you to funders versus active funding opportunities.
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Instrumentl’s tailored approach allows you to focus on high-ROI opportunities and avoid wasting time on ones that aren’t a good fit.
Easy Collaboration and Task Management
Instrumentl facilitates seamless collaboration and task management within your team. The platform allows you to assign tasks, track project progress, and collaborate with colleagues, ensuring coordinated efforts and preventing important details from slipping through the cracks.
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Find Foundations Open to New Grantees
Instrumentl provides data upfront for whether a funder is open to new grantees.
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The Openness to New Grantees report shows the percentage of grants awarded to new versus repeat grantees and the average grant award for each category. These insights help you decide if pursuing an opportunity is worthwhile.
In summary, Instrumentl offers a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline your grant search and management processes, making it a strong alternative to GrantSeeker.io.
With features like automated deadline reminders, integrated IRS 990 information, intelligent matching, easy collaboration, and insights into funder openness, Instrumentl is designed to support your nonprofit’s funding efforts effectively.
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