Our resource How to Use IRS Form 990s for Grant Prospecting equips nonprofit leaders and grant professionals with a practical, step-by-step guide to turning publicly available tax filings into powerful funding insights. These annual returns (especially the Form 990-PF filed by private foundations) contain verified data on who funds what, how much funding is awarded, and the patterns of giving over time. The resource breaks down how to locate these forms using free tools, what key sections to focus on for grant research, and how paid platforms can streamline your work. By understanding sections such as the grants lists and supplementary information, nonprofits can build stronger prospect lists and tailor their outreach to funders whose historic giving aligns with their mission.
In our recent webinar, we walked through these concepts in action, showing participants how to navigate actual 990 filings, interpret the information they reveal about funding history and organizational priorities, and use that insight to make smarter grant prospecting decisions. The webinar also highlighted practical tips for evaluating a foundation’s typical grant sizes, geographic and program priorities, and whether they accept unsolicited proposals–all illustrated with real-world examples. Attendees also heard answers to common questions about where to find the most recent 990s, how to read key schedules, and how to organize data to meaningfully inform a grant strategy.