Do I need a 501(c)(3) determination letter to get grants?

For most foundation and federal grants, yes. Funders usually ask for your IRS determination letter or proof of tax-exempt status. Your match report notes which grants require it, and which accept other organization types such as churches, which are tax-exempt without applying, or groups working under a fiscal sponsor.

Can a new or startup nonprofit get grants?

Yes, but fewer of them. Many funders require one to three years of operating history or audited financials. Some community and family foundations specifically fund new organizations. The report flags each grant's minimum operating history so you don't spend time on ones you can't win yet.

What is fiscal sponsorship and does it help?

A fiscal sponsor is an established 501(c)(3) that accepts and manages grant funds on behalf of a project that doesn't yet have its own exempt status. It lets new groups apply to funders that require 501(c)(3) status. Sponsors usually charge an administrative fee, often 5 to 15 percent of funds received.

Can nonprofits get general operating support, not just program grants?

Yes. General operating support grants cover salaries, rent and overhead, and capacity building grants fund things like staff training, technology and fundraising systems. They are less common than program grants, so the report labels each match by type.

How fast do nonprofit grant deadlines close?

Most grant windows run 30 to 120 days and many funders open only once a year, so a missed deadline usually means waiting a year. Every match in your report shows its deadline, and the agent tracks them for you on paid plans.

Nonprofit grants

Grants for nonprofits.Matched to your EIN.

Grants for nonprofit organizations, matched to your EIN. Get the open federal, state and foundation grants your nonprofit is actually eligible for, with deadlines and fit notes. Then let the agent draft the application.

How it works

501(c)(3) grantsStartup nonprofitsOperating supportCapacity building

Grant match report

Example

Community foundation

Youth literacy fund

Up to $25,000 · Due in 34 days

Strong fit

Family foundation

General operating support

Up to $50,000 · Due in 52 days

Good fit

Federal program

Community services grant

Up to $150,000 · Due in 61 days

Check eligibility

Illustrative layout. Your report lists real, verifiable funders.

Grants your nonprofit can apply for

Every type of nonprofit grant.Filtered to what you qualify for.

As of Oct 26, 2026, Grants.gov listed 440 open federal grants for nonprofits: grant opportunities for nonprofits that name nonprofit organizations as eligible applicants. The agent checks each one, plus state programs and private foundations, against your organization and keeps only the grants you can apply for.

Established 501(c)(3)s

Grants for 501(c)(3) organizations: program, project and multi-year grants from federal agencies, state programs and private foundations that fund your cause and region.

New and startup nonprofits

Grants for new nonprofits and grants for startup nonprofits from funders that support young organizations, with each grant’s minimum operating history and documentation requirements flagged.

General operating support

General operating grants for nonprofits are unrestricted grants that cover salaries, rent and overhead — less common than program grants, so each match is labeled by type.

Capacity building

Capacity building grants for nonprofits fund staff training, technology, strategic planning and fundraising systems that help your organization grow.

Program grants

Funding tied to a specific program and its outcomes, the most common grant type from foundations and government.

How it works

From EIN to application.Without the busywork.

Match

Tell the agent who you are and enter your EIN or SAM.gov UEI. It verifies your organization and matches it against open federal, state and foundation grants you’re eligible for.

Draft

Pick a grant. The agent drafts the application to that funder’s requirements: need statement, program, outcomes and budget narrative.

Submit

You review and submit. The agent tracks every deadline and drafts the reports funders expect after an award.

Grant windows run 30–120 days.When one closes, the money is usually gone for a year.

By cause

Grants for the work you do.

Churches & faith-based

Community program grants for food, youth, housing and outreach run by churches and religious organizations.

See grants →

Food banks & human services

Grants for food banks, shelters, senior programs and mental health nonprofits.

See grants →

Youth & education

Grants for youth programs, education nonprofits and after-school organizations.

See grants →

Animal rescue

Grants for animal rescue organizations, shelters and conservation groups.

See grants →

Plans

Start free.Pay when you apply.

Free match report

See what you qualify for before you spend anything.

Grant Agent

$149/mo

The agent drafts every application you choose to pursue.

Agent + expert review

$1,499/mo

One funder-ready proposal a month, reviewed and finalized by a grant professional.

See plans and pricing →Grant writing services →

Grant scams

Real grants nevercost money to receive.

Every listing in your report links to the funder’s own page. If an offer shows any of these signs, walk away.

!Charges a fee before you receive the money
!Promises a guaranteed award or “free money you never pay back”
!Found you through a social media ad or cold DM
!Won’t meet, and wants full payment upfront
!Asks for your bank login or card details to “deposit” a grant
!Offers a personal grant — federal grants to individuals are rare

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 501(c)(3) determination letter to get grants?: For most foundation and federal grants, yes. Funders usually ask for your IRS determination letter or proof of tax-exempt status. Your match report notes which grants require it, and which accept other organization types such as churches, which are tax-exempt without applying, or groups working under a fiscal sponsor.
Can a new or startup nonprofit get grants?: Yes, but fewer of them. Many funders require one to three years of operating history or audited financials. Some community and family foundations specifically fund new organizations. The report flags each grant's minimum operating history so you don't spend time on ones you can't win yet.
What is fiscal sponsorship and does it help?: A fiscal sponsor is an established 501(c)(3) that accepts and manages grant funds on behalf of a project that doesn't yet have its own exempt status. It lets new groups apply to funders that require 501(c)(3) status. Sponsors usually charge an administrative fee, often 5 to 15 percent of funds received.
Can nonprofits get general operating support, not just program grants?: Yes. General operating support grants cover salaries, rent and overhead, and capacity building grants fund things like staff training, technology and fundraising systems. They are less common than program grants, so the report labels each match by type.
How fast do nonprofit grant deadlines close?: Most grant windows run 30 to 120 days and many funders open only once a year, so a missed deadline usually means waiting a year. Every match in your report shows its deadline, and the agent tracks them for you on paid plans.

Get my free matches.

Free match report by email within one business day. No credit card, no obligation.

Grant Agent by LynkAI is a private service that searches public sources, including Grants.gov, SAM.gov, state grant programs and IRS 990-PF foundation records. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grants.gov, SAM.gov, the SBA or any government agency. Grant counts are snapshots and change daily.