# Foundation Directory Online vs Instrumentl Comparison

---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Foundation vs Instrumentl?

Instrumentl stands out from Foundation with a higher G2 rating, stronger support and setup scores, and a more modern user experience.

| [Foundation](https://www.g2.com/products/foundation-directory-online/reviews) | [Instrumentl](https://www.g2.com/products/instrumentl/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.6/5 (46 reviews) | 4.9/5 (128 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.9 | 9.8 |
| 8.0 | 10.0 |
| Data-rich search and advanced filtering | Grant tracking, management, and intuitive dashboard |



### How do the pricing models of Foundation and Instrumentl compare?

Instrumentl is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Foundation.

- **Foundation:** Reviewers frequently mention that Foundation is valuable but note concerns about its cost, especially for smaller nonprofits.
- **Instrumentl:** Reviewers highlight Instrumentl as a strong value, citing its robust features and time-saving benefits as justifying the expense.
- **Switching reasons:** In recent reviews, buyers mention switching to Instrumentl for its better value and more comprehensive grant management capabilities.



### What are the best alternatives to Foundation and Instrumentl?

The top 3 alternatives to Foundation and Instrumentl are Bloomerang CRM, iWave, and DonorSearch.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Foundation](https://www.g2.com/products/foundation-directory-online/reviews) | 4.6/5 (46 reviews) | Small-Business | Reviewers note value but cite cost concerns for small nonprofits | Data-rich search and advanced filtering |
| [Instrumentl](https://www.g2.com/products/instrumentl/reviews) | 4.9/5 (128 reviews) | Small-Business | Reviewers highlight strong value and robust features | Grant tracking, management, and intuitive dashboard |
| [Bloomerang CRM](https://www.g2.com/products/bloomerang-crm/reviews) | 4.6/5 (914 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Donor management and CRM capabilities |
| [iWave](https://www.g2.com/products/iwave/reviews) | 4.6/5 (537 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Prospect research and wealth screening |
| [DonorSearch](https://www.g2.com/products/donorsearch/reviews) | 4.6/5 (227 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Donor prospecting and research depth |



### Which Donor Prospect Research features should I prioritize when comparing Foundation and Instrumentl?

Buyers should prioritize Ease of Use, Grant Tracking and Management, Quality of Support, Email Notifications, and Advanced Search/Filtering when comparing Foundation and Instrumentl.

- **Ease of Use:** Foundation scores 8.5, Instrumentl scores 9.6.
- **Grant Tracking and Management:** Instrumentl is frequently cited for its robust grant tracking and management features; Foundation is noted for data-rich search but less for tracking.
- **Quality of Support:** Foundation scores 8.0, Instrumentl scores 10.0.
- **Email Notifications:** Instrumentl is praised for timely and actionable email notifications; Foundation is less frequently cited for this feature.
- **Advanced Search/Filtering:** Foundation is recognized for advanced filtering and data-rich search; Instrumentl also offers granular search but is more often cited for dashboard and workflow features.



### What are the pros and cons of Foundation vs Instrumentl?

Instrumentl's headline strength is its grant tracking and management system, while Foundation's is its data-rich search and advanced filtering.

- **Foundation strengths:** Data-rich search, advanced filtering by state and funding interests, comprehensive funder information, and export tools for tracking and calendaring deadlines.
- **Foundation trade-offs:** Reviewers note higher cost for small nonprofits, a less modern interface, and some desire for more flexible search logic and improved similar funder grouping.
- **Instrumentl strengths:** Grant tracking and management, intuitive dashboard, robust email notifications, high ease of use, and strong customer support.
- **Instrumentl trade-offs:** Some reviewers mention a learning curve for advanced features, desire for more custom fields, and occasional duplicate grant listings in search results.



### Is Foundation or Instrumentl better for small businesses?

Instrumentl is the better fit for small businesses, with both products primarily serving this segment but Instrumentl receiving higher satisfaction scores from small-business reviewers.

- **Foundation:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers appreciate its comprehensive data but often cite cost as a concern for smaller organizations.
- **Instrumentl:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently praise its ease of use, value, and grant management features as especially beneficial for small teams.



### Which Donor Prospect Research platform has better integrations?

Foundation and Instrumentl are at parity for integrations, as neither product has recent reviewer-cited integrations or mention counts.

- **Foundation:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **Instrumentl:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.



### How do Foundation and Instrumentl compare on customer support?

Instrumentl outperforms Foundation on Quality of Support, with a 2-point lead (10.0 vs 8.0).

- **Foundation:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, with some noting helpful live assistance but others mentioning occasional delays or less personalized service.
- **Instrumentl:** Reviewers consistently praise Instrumentl's customer support as outstanding, responsive, and highly invested in client success.



### Which is easier to implement, Foundation or Instrumentl?

Instrumentl leads Foundation on Ease of Setup, with a 0.9-point advantage (9.8 vs 8.9).

- **Foundation:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward, with most reporting a smooth onboarding process and setup scores of 7.0 out of 10 in recent reviews.
- **Instrumentl:** Reviewers highlight an easy and intuitive setup experience, with frequent mentions of quick onboarding and a setup score of 7.0 out of 10 in recent reviews.



### Which product has better Email Notifications?

Instrumentl is favored for Email Notifications, with reviewers frequently citing timely and actionable notifications as a key benefit.

- **Foundation:** Email Notifications are less frequently cited as a standout feature in recent reviews.
- **Instrumentl:** Reviewers consistently praise Instrumentl's email notifications for keeping teams updated on new grant matches and deadlines.



| | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.9 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 46 | 128 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (80.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (87.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | 


---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.8 (33 reviews) | 9.3 (79 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (33 reviews) | 9.6 (78 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.9 (15 reviews) | 9.8 (36 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.1 (13 reviews) | 9.9 (36 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.0 (27 reviews) | 10.0 (74 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (14 reviews) | 10.0 (38 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 6.5 (30 reviews) | 9.2 (60 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Foundation Directory Online

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Instrumentl

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Nonprofit

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Foundation Directory Online** | N/A | N/A |
| **Instrumentl** | N/A | N/A |

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Social Marketing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Accounting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **CRM** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Forms** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Fund Accounting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Forms Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Member Database** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Communication Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Templates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Budgeting/Forecasting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Scheduling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Donor Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Attendance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Volunteer Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **For Nonprofits** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Recurring/Subscription Billing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Calendar Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Branding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Registration Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Campaign Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Contact Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Website Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Credit Card Processing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Membership Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Electronic Payments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Accounting Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Grant Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dues Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Committee Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Fundraising Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Grant Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Foundation Directory Online** | N/A | N/A |
| **Instrumentl** | 9.3/10 | 37 |

#### Proposal Management

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Form Building** | Not enough data | 8.9 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Review Tools** | Not enough data | 10.0 (7 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Grantee Portal** | Not enough data | 9.4 (18 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Attachments** | Not enough data | 9.2 (21 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Task Management** | Not enough data | 9.0 (29 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Customizable Forms** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaboration Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ratings/Reviews** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Review** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Deadline Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Contact Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Contract/License Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Document Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Grant Application Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Workflow Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Fund Tracking

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disbursements** | Not enough data | 9.7 (10 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Grant Allocations** | Not enough data | 9.7 (12 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Email Notifications** | Not enough data | 8.9 (17 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Impact & Outcomes

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Program Evaluation** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Data Analytics** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Ad Hoc Reporting** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | 9.2 (30 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Administrative Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Financial Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Grant Prospecting

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Funder Lists** | Not enough data | 9.7 (34 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Automated Responses** | Not enough data | 9.1 (11 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Compliance

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Eligibility Screening** | Not enough data | 8.9 (19 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Auditing** | Not enough data | 9.4 (9 reviews) ✓ Verified | 

#### Integrations

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fund Accounting** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Donor Management** | Not enough data | 9.4 (11 reviews) ✓ Verified | 
| **Forms Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Role-Based Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configurable Workflow** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Import/Export** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Branding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Reminders** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reminders** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Categorization/Grouping** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Quotes/Estimates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Templates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search/Filter** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **For Grantseekers** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Grant Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Grant Award Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Electronic Submission** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Payment Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Applicant Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Questions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Due Date Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **For Grantmakers** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Budgeting/Forecasting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Budget Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Status Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Impact Measurement** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Approval Process Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Donor Prospect Research Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/donor-prospect-research)


**Unique to Instrumentl (1):** [Grant Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/grant-management)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Foundation Directory Online | Instrumentl | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 80.0% | 87.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 17.8% | 10.9% | 
| **Enterprise** | 2.2% | 1.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Foundation Directory Online

- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 53.3%
- **Education Management:** 11.1%
- **Primary/Secondary Education:** 4.4%
- **Higher Education:** 4.4%
- **Fund-Raising:** 4.4%
- **Civic & Social Organization:** 4.4%
- **Research:** 2.2%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 2.2%
- **Performing Arts:** 2.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.2%
- **Other:** 8.9%

#### Instrumentl

- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 48.4%
- **Fund-Raising:** 10.2%
- **Civic & Social Organization:** 4.7%
- **Management Consulting:** 4.7%
- **Higher Education:** 3.9%
- **Environmental Services:** 3.9%
- **Writing and Editing:** 3.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.1%
- **Performing Arts:** 2.3%
- **Individual & Family Services:** 2.3%
- **Other:** 12.5%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Foundation Directory Online

- [iWave](https://www.g2.com/products/iwave/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (540 reviews)
- [DonorSearch](https://www.g2.com/products/donorsearch/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (227 reviews)
- [Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT](https://www.g2.com/products/blackbaud-raiser-s-edge-nxt/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (640 reviews)
- [WealthEngine](https://www.g2.com/products/wealthengine/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (67 reviews)
- [Tessitura](https://www.g2.com/products/tessitura/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (80 reviews)
- [GiveCampus](https://www.g2.com/products/givecampus/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (65 reviews)
- [Windfall](https://www.g2.com/products/windfall/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (56 reviews)
- [GrantStation](https://www.g2.com/products/grantstation-grantstation/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (28 reviews)
- [EverTrue](https://www.g2.com/products/evertrue/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (26 reviews)
- [LexisNexis Nexis for Development Professionals](https://www.g2.com/products/lexisnexis-nexis-for-development-professionals/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (30 reviews)

### Alternatives to Instrumentl

- [Bloomerang CRM](https://www.g2.com/products/bloomerang-crm/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (922 reviews)
- [iWave](https://www.g2.com/products/iwave/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (540 reviews)
- [DonorSearch](https://www.g2.com/products/donorsearch/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (227 reviews)
- [Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT](https://www.g2.com/products/blackbaud-raiser-s-edge-nxt/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (640 reviews)
- [Submittable](https://www.g2.com/products/submittable/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (168 reviews)
- [Agentforce Nonprofit (formerly Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-nonprofit-formerly-salesforce-nonprofit-cloud/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (87 reviews)
- [Submit.com](https://www.g2.com/products/submit-com/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (108 reviews)
- [Good Grants](https://www.g2.com/products/good-grants/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (90 reviews)
- [Benevity](https://www.g2.com/products/benevity/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (185 reviews)
- [Millie](https://www.g2.com/products/millie/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (199 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Foundation Directory Online

- Title: [What is the Foundation Center by candid?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-foundation-center-by-candid) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is the number one resource for grantwriters.  It provides so many details about foundation and corporate givers - that even they don't disclose. It's a..."
- Title: [How much does Foundation Directory Online cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-foundation-directory-online-cost) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "The Foundation Directory has a number of plans available to suit either yourself, individually - or as an organization where for example, you may have or..."

### Instrumentl

- Title: [Does Instrumentl  have the potential to populate our SalesForce software with Grantor info and funding?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/39514-does-instrumentl-have-the-potential-to-populate-our-salesforce-software-with-grantor-info-and-funding) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Not that I know of."
- Title: [I recently started my own subscription after being a guest user on someone else's; I cannot figure out how to take her name off and have mine as the owner.  I do not want to lose any of the project information I currently have in the account though!  Thanks!](https://www.g2.com/discussions/i-recently-started-my-own-subscription-after-being-a-guest-user-on-someone-else-s-i-cannot-figure-out-how-to-take-her-name-off-and-have-mine-as-the-owner-i-do-not-want-to-lose-any-of-the-project-information-i-currently-have-in-the-account-though-thanks) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Thanks for reaching our Carolyn - looks like this was resolved with our support team :) "

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/foundation-directory-online-vs-instrumentl)