Here we are focusing on project support for individual artists, researchers and others. If you are seeking help with funding for your education, see the FAQ entitled "Where can I find information on college scholarships and fellowships?"
Because most foundation funding is awarded to nonprofit organizations, the individual grantseeker should expect to encounter stiff competition for grant dollars. It is essential, therefore, that you research all potential funding sources within your
own discipline or geographic area.
Most grantmakers place very specific limitations on their giving to individuals, since provisions for grants to individuals require advance approval of the program by the IRS. For this reason, grantmakers usually cannot make exceptions to their program guidelines, even if you present a
compelling case for them to do so.
You will find relevant resources in the Individual Grantseekers area of the Center's Web site. Some key resources include:
Foundation Grants to Individuals, in both formats, includes information on grantmakers giving to individuals for research and education, for the arts and sciences, and (though relatively rare) even for personal, living and medical expenses. Information about how to apply for funding from each foundation is included. All Foundation Center libraries and Cooperating Collections provide free public access to the print version of Foundation Grants to Individuals, and some may have the online version as well. These resource tools also may be purchased through the Marketplace.
You may also want to refer to the various Reference Guides for individuals, covering resources for artists, film/videomakers, musicians, researchers, writers, individuals with disabilities, and more.
You might also refer to the Michigan State University Grants and Related Resources site, which has a very useful section on Grants for Individuals.
In addition to Foundation Center libraries and Cooperating Collections, many public and academic libraries maintain directories and other sources of information on grants to individuals, especially for those seeking scholarships. There may also be an agency in your state, especially in the arts, whose mandate includes helping individuals find funding. An extensive bibliography of sources of funding for individuals will be found in the Topical Reading list.
For Individuals with Fiscal Sponsorship:
Depending on the nature of your project, you might wish to consider affiliation with a tax-exempt organization in order to broaden your base of potential support. In this type of arrangement, a nonprofit would act as your fiscal agent, receiving and administering the grant for you. It is important that you begin looking for a sponsor at the same time that you start researching potential funders. For more information on fiscal sponsorship, see our FAQs on Fiscal Sponsorship or our Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship and Affiliation.
To learn more about foundation funding for individuals, attend our free one-hour training classes, Grantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts, Finding Foundation Support for Your Education, or Getting Started with Foundation Grants to Individuals Online. The Center also offers online tutorials and classes for individual grantseekers, including Foundation Grants to Individuals Online Guided Tour, Finding Foundation Support for Your Education, and Grantseeking Basics for Individuals.
Can't find the answer you're looking for in our FAQs? Ask our Online Librarian.
