You’ve built a list of potential funders (if not, start here). Now it’s time to move from “maybe” to “most likely.”
This next step in your grant prospecting process is called qualification—and it’s where grant seekers separate the promising leads from the dead ends.
Let’s walk through how to qualify grant funders so you can focus your time, energy, and proposals where they’ll count.
What Does It Mean to “Qualify” a Grant Funder?
To qualify a grant funder means answering a simple but crucial question:
Is this funder likely to support a project like mine?
At this stage, you’re narrowing your list of prospects by evaluating each funder based on their compatibility with your organization and project. This is more than just skimming their website—it’s about assessing fit on several key dimensions, including:
- Mission alignment
- Funding history and patterns
- Eligibility criteria
- Geographic and issue focus
- Application accessibility
- Active giving status
If a funder checks enough of the right boxes, they stay on your list. If not, it’s okay to move on. After all, a long list of poor matches won’t get you closer to funding.
Qualification Criteria Checklist
Here’s a closer look at what to consider when evaluating each funder:
1. Do They Fund Projects Like Yours?
Check if your project matches their issue area, project type, or target population.
Example: If you're a nonprofit addressing food insecurity in rural Kentucky, a funder that supports urban environmental projects in California probably isn’t a good match.
Look for:
- Areas of focus (e.g., health, education, workforce development)
- Types of support offered (e.g., capital, operating, programmatic)
- Populations served (e.g., youth, seniors, veterans)
2. Do They Fund in Your Geographic Area?
Many funders limit their giving to specific states, counties, or regions.
Check:
- If they serve Kentucky specifically
- Whether they fund your county, region (like the Appalachian or Delta regions), or type of community (rural vs. urban)
Tip: Don’t assume national funders include Kentucky—always double-check.
3. Do They Fund Organizations Like Yours?
Some funders only support certain types of organizations or budgets.
Check:
- Organization type: 501(c)(3), government agency, public school, etc.
- Size: Some grants are intended for grassroots groups; others are for large institutions
- Sector: Are they funding organizations in your field (e.g., healthcare, economic development)?
4. Are You Eligible to Apply?
Look closely at the fine print.
Check for:
- Specific eligibility criteria (e.g., years in operation, match requirements)
- Letter of Inquiry (LOI) requirements
- Whether they accept unsolicited applications or are invitation-only
- Application deadlines and cycles
Pro Tip: Keep a calendar of key dates and reminders for those that are invitation-only—relationships matter here (more on that in Part III).
5. Is Their Giving Still Active?
It’s important to know whether a funder is currently making grants. Some foundations slow or stop giving during transitions or economic downturns.
Look for:
- Recent grant awards (past 1–2 years)
- A current, active website
- Form 990 filings showing consistent grantmaking
- You can view these free via Candid or ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer
Use a Scoring System to Compare Funders
To make the qualification process more objective and efficient, we recommend using a simple scoring system. Rate each criterion on a scale from 1 to 5, then tally up the totals to see which funders are your strongest matches.
Get a copy of our google sheet template scoring chart here.
Example: Good-Fit Scoring Chart
Scoring Guide
- 1 = Poor fit — Significant misalignment or barriers
- 3 = Moderate fit — Some alignment but potential challenges
- 5 = Excellent fit — Strong alignment and few/no barriers
Category Descriptions:
- Mission Alignment: How well the funder’s mission matches your organization’s.
- Funding Patterns: Has the funder supported similar orgs/projects in the past?
- Eligibility Criteria: Are you clearly eligible (e.g., type, size, sector)?
- Geographic/Issue Focus: Does the funder focus on your region and issue area?
- Application Accessibility: Is the application clear, realistic, and manageable?
Narrow Your List, Then Prioritize Top Prospects
After scoring your funders, you’ll hopefully have a list of 10 to 30 strong prospects. Before jumping into applications, take one more step: prioritize.
Focus your energy on the funders most likely to say yes—and most aligned with your biggest needs.
Consider These Factors When Prioritizing:
- Your current funding priorities: Which grants best match the programs or projects you need funding for now? Are the award sizes meaningful for your work?
- Likelihood of success: Can you estimate your odds? For example, if 300 organizations apply but only 10 receive funding, you may want to weigh that grant differently than one with a 30% success rate.
- Existing relationships: Do you—or a board or staff member—have a connection to the funder? A warm introduction can go a long way and might move a “maybe” to a “priority.”
Wrapping Up: What’s Next?
Congratulations—you’ve qualified your funders! You’ve taken a big step toward working smarter, not harder.
Next up in the grant prospecting funnel: Engagement and Cultivation. That’s where you’ll build relationships, make first contact, and begin preparing strong proposals for your top prospects.
Stay tuned for Part III, where we’ll explore how to start meaningful connections with funders, even if you don’t have an existing relationship yet.
If you’d like a free qualification scorecard template to make this process even easier, get the google sheet template here.
Have questions or need help evaluating funders? Grant Ready Kentucky is here to help. Reach out any time—we love turning “maybe” into “definitely worth pursuing.” You can book a free session with one of our grant professionals here.