Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
1:30pm – 2:45pm Eastern
Click Here to Register (no recording): $95
Click Here to Register (recording included): $135
Organizations that apply to highly targeted prospects can achieve grant success rates that are two to three times higher than organizations relying on broad, unfocused prospect lists.
More than $100 billion is awarded annually by U.S. foundations, yet many nonprofits and municipalities overlook qualified funders because they lack an effective prospect research strategy.
The strongest grant proposals begin long before the writing process—they begin with identifying the right funding opportunities.
Finding funders is not simply a matter of searching databases. Successful organizations know how to analyze foundation giving patterns, identify emerging funders, interpret IRS Form 990s, uncover invitation-only opportunities, and prioritize prospects that are most likely to support their mission.
Join us for this practical webinar designed for nonprofits and municipalities seeking to strengthen their grant pipelines and improve funding success rates. Participants will learn how to build a strategic prospect research process that saves time, improves proposal targeting, and uncovers funding opportunities many organizations miss.
Agenda:
Why Prospect Research Matters:
– The hidden cost of pursuing poorly aligned funding opportunities.
– How strategic prospect research improves grant success rates.
– Common prospecting mistakes that waste time and resources.
Building a Prospect Research System:
– Creating a repeatable prospecting process.
– Developing a funding pipeline rather than relying on one-off opportunities.
– Tracking and managing prospects effectively.
Finding Foundation Opportunities:
– Utilizing Foundation Directory Online, GuideStar, Candid, and foundation websites.
– Researching community, family, corporate, and private foundations.
– Identifying emerging and newly established funders.
Analyzing Foundation Giving Patterns:
– Using IRS Form 990s to identify funding priorities.
– Reviewing past grantees and award amounts.
– Understanding geographic preferences and funding restrictions.
– Recognizing signals that indicate a strong funding fit.
Finding Government Grant Opportunities:
– Locating federal and state funding opportunities.
– Identifying grants relevant to municipalities and nonprofits.
– Understanding agency priorities and funding trends.
Identifying Invitation-Only and Hidden Opportunities:
-Researching foundations that do not accept unsolicited proposals.
– Recognizing pathways to invitation-only funding opportunities.
– Leveraging relationships, networks, and referrals.
Prioritizing Your Prospects:
– Creating a prospect ranking system.
– Evaluating likelihood of funding.
– Determining which opportunities warrant immediate pursuit and which should be cultivated over time.
Artificial Intelligence and Prospect Research:
– Using AI tools to accelerate funder research.
– Identifying trends and funding priorities.
– Developing prospect profiles and research summaries.
– Avoiding common AI pitfalls and inaccuracies.
Who Should Attend: This webinar is designed for nonprofit professionals, municipal employees, grant writers, development staff, executive directors, fundraisers, and organizational leaders seeking to strengthen their grant prospecting efforts and identify new funding opportunities.
Session Recordings: You will have access to the recording of the session and the Instructor by email for SIX MONTHS following the course!
Instructor: Bill Edelstein is a consultant specializing in helping not-for-profits develop diversified revenue streams. He holds Advanced Degrees in Education and Political Science. His professional work is focused on donor relations, grant writing, and fundraising. Bill is an adjunct professor at Hunter College of the City University of New York.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-edelstein-ba8159112/