--- title: Foundation Directory Online Reviews meta_title: 'Foundation Directory Online Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 46 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Foundation Directory Online works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.6 review_count: 46 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-07-07' parent_category: name: Nonprofit url: https://www.g2.com/categories/nonprofit --- # Foundation Directory Online Reviews **Vendor:** Candid **Category:** [Donor Prospect Research Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/donor-prospect-research) **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 46 ## About Foundation Directory Online Foundation Directory Online is a valuable resource for nonprofits’ fundraising needs. With interactive maps and charts, RFPs, and key funder and grants insights, FDO helps nonprofits identify funding sources, build their prospect networks, and win the funding to support their missions. ## Foundation Directory Online Reviews ### 1. Foundation Directory is great. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Fund-Raising | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 15, 2024 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Foundation Directory Online is easy to use and navigate. I also like the fact that you can save searches and you don't have to start over with the same criteria. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** There is no downside, I do wish that when you find an organization and you meet their requirments, they will show you other companies that are similar. I would like for the similar companies list to be accessible enough to save as a group instead of going into each of them one by one. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Ability to seek additional funding for our programs throughout the school. ### 2. Wonderful Opportunity for any Non-profit **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aleyna M. | Family and Community Support Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2024 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I love the opportunity to "earn" my subscription just by doing what I do best! **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** If I didn't qualify for the discount, I would probably say price **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helps me think outside the box as far as potential donors ### 3. Excellent Resource **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Monica G. | Director of Development, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 21, 2022 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Foundation Directory Online is one of the most valuable resources for researching funding opportunities. It is comprehensive and has been around for a long time. I remember the days when it was a printed directory, and it was valuable back then. Besides being able to sort foundations by state and funding priority, you can also look for board members, and grantees and access 990s all in one place. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** There are no downsides to the Foundation Directory online. This question needs to get removed from this online survey form because it is preventing me from submitting the form unless I type a minium number of characters. Do not make this a required question to fill out. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** The Foundation Directory Online saves so much time in researching and prospecting foundations. The export tools allow an organization to create master worksheets for tracking and calendaring deadlines. ### 4. Essential Tool for Growing Non-Profits **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Micheline H. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 10, 2023 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** FDO is data-rich. The maps and charts help you quickly assess key details about funders. The Who's Who section is vital and even more beneficial with the LinkedIn integration. Also, love the section on similar funders. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Rather than telling you what I dislike, let me tell you what opportunities for improvement I see. It would be hugely beneficial to be able to search for open and upcoming requests for proposals. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** FDO provides a central resource for researching private foundations. Without it, information is sparse and takes ten times as long to find through a search engine, if you can find it at all. ### 5. Nonprofit funder support resource **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Susan S. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 26, 2023 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Most helpful was being able to filter the foundations and funders by State and funding interests. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I am not sure yet. I have not had a chance to use it alot yet. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding unknown potential donors. ### 6. Foundation Directory Online a Must Have **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ronald V. | Senior Director of Development, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 12, 2022 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Foundation Directory online is a goldmine of information for those of us seeking grants. If you are attempting to secure grants, then you need FDO. I am not aware of competitors. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I have not found any downsides to FDO. I see every piece of information I need when doing my research, and I can be sure the foundation is either a fit or not. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Grants are the second largest source of income for charities. Therefore, having all the information on potential grants at my fingertips is priceless and has increased our overall fundraising income. ### 7. The "GO-TO" Resource for Grant Writers! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Joe D. | Managing Member, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2022 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a virtual "must-have" for nonprofit executives who seek foundation grants, program funding and/or corporate giving. FDO and I go back a long way - when the only copy we could find was at the Seattle Public Library in print form - often several years old. Now my colleagues, the information about hundreds of thousands of funding sources for nonprofits is all online. While my organization is small (one-man-show), I was able to select a payment plan that suited me at a VERY reasonable price. I strongly support FDO by Candid... as do my clients and organizations I serve. Joe Diehl, CPA JD **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I find many foundations and corporate givers state: proposals by invitation only. While this seems like an obstacle or could be frustrating, what the organization is telling you is - we are inundated with requests and so, we are very choosy as to who we invite to apply. Simply go to their website, find out who is on their board of directors, and know that all of us on the planet are connected to each other with six degrees of separation - at the most. For example - how could I connect with President Joe Biden... well, I know Senator Patty Murray who knows President Biden; this is only TWO DEGREES of separation. I'm THREE DEGREES of separation away from Vladimir Putin... lol Well, my point is - to get an invitation to submit that proposal, it is initially who you know, not what you do. That statement "invitation only" is not something I dislike, actually, but it does mean you need to roll up sleeves and get past the receptionist in order to have a chance. Joe Diehl CPA JD **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding funding sources for nonprofits that I serve. I have received millions of dollars of funding support over the decades of using FDO. Joe Diehl CPA JD ### 8. Vast improvement over 20 years! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brian B. | Business Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 26, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I have been using the Foundation Center database on and off again since the 1980s when it was a tedious process to narrow down funders to the short list of good prospects. Recently I got back on to do some digging for my clients and found the system is really easy to use now. In a few minutes you get in-depth data for a short list of key prospects that align to your mission and programs. Well done foundation center team! **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** So far not too much. It is a bit pricy to jump up to the next level for small nonprofits but they can turn it on and off as needed. Still, a sliding scale pricing system would be nice and might actually pay off as there are many more nonprofits on the smaller end. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Quickly finding prospects for clients. ### 9. Community Awareness Initiative FY'22 **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** HOD Brandon J. | President, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 04, 2022 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Overall Ability to Research Funding Solutions and Save Researched Data. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** There was Nothing to Dislike, Everything was Interactive and We, I Accomplished Everything, Required for Funding Research.... **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Key-Word Searchable and User Friendly to the General Individual or Non-profit Organization. Due to COVID19 Pandemic, Non-Profit Centers in New York and Elsewhere was Closed. We, I was Able to Remain in the Safety of Official Residence and Not Travel Outside. ### 10. Great service for the cost **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Joey M. | Fundraising Coordinator **Reviewed Date:** March 29, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** It helps streamline the grant writing research process and consolidates needed information when pursuing new leads **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The cost and push to upgrade to their professional services offered. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is an extremely beneficial service as a fundraiser and grant writer for non-profits ### 11. Highly Effective Tool **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 26, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Depth of Information Available is incredible. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I can't find anything to dislike about FDO. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Our org struggled to get the meaningful details we needed to really develop an effective grant program. FDO has been a game changer for us. So much detail has really helped us to focus on grants that are likely instead of wasting a ton of time on grants that wouldn't make sense for us! ### 12. Just the resource you need to jumpstart fundraising **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sara T. | Director of Development & Marketing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 17, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** FDO has detailed information for almost every lead I research, and I also love that it provides suggestions for other similar organizations so I can continue to grow my prospect list **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I wish it were less expensive to have full access. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** FDO makes it possible to find all of the information I need to reach out to prospects, contacting the right person with the right ask and message, saving me time and effort, and making funding opportunities more real. ### 13. Funding research simplified **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Directory has really streamlined how we fundraise within the U.S. by allowing us to search with keywords specific to our work. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Nothing so far, the tool meets our needs. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It saves us a lot of time in our search for new funding sources, where we would have traditionally used a search engine to gather all of the information that FDO gathers for you in one search. ### 14. Incredible Resource **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Judith G. | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 30, 2020 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I love how easy this directory is to use - I use it all the time for a variety of reasons. It's so easy to filter when searching for foundations that give grants to organizations in our field. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I really can't think of anything - I love it all. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use it in a variety of ways: I search for foundations/organizations that fund in our field; I look at their 990's to see who they have given to previously and, very importantly, the size of grant they typically give. I also check out other non-profits and their 990's when we are dealing with them. ### 15. Funding Research **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 14, 2021 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The ability to filter the information based on our mission, geographic area and funder's priorities **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I had a great experience overall but there was some difficulty at first setting up my account. I was able to get in touch with a "live" person who worked with IT and straightened everything out. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have already put together a list of hundreds of new prospects and some are right in our area, people that we know but we weren't aware of the foundation. ### 16. Best in the industry! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Heidi W. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 01, 2020 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Its easy to login from anywhere, get what you need, share the bios with clients and make great decisions on where to apply. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I wish more family foundations were on the list. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** It's easy to use, and has all of the information you need to make good decisions. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Helping my clients find the best match for funding to apply. ### 17. Great platform for foundation research! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 04, 2020 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I like the Advanced Search features best, specifically the subject search and ability to search by geographic region. It's also nice to have the option of searching by trustee name. When I'm reviewing an individual foundation. I really like the feature that shows Most Common Grant Amount, as it saves me a lot of time and negates the need to comb through multiple 990s for grant amounts. I would definitely recommend the product to others based on these features and the overall ease of use of Foundation Directory. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I preferred the look of the old interface better; the updated version requires too much scrolling. I would like the ability to be able to choose between the old interface and the new one. I think I would use both. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** I highly recommend the product, especially if you need to research foundations that don't have a website or large online presence. The availability of 990s and plethora of information make it a great tool and definitely worth the cost. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Foundation Directory to help me find potential funders for programs at the university where I work. I'm able to create robust lists of options and can easily rule out organizations that don't accept applications. I also use it to validate if an individual serves on the board of family foundation. Finally, I regularly review the 990s from the foundations and like the ability to be able to view more than just the past few years of the 990s. ### 18. Childkind's use of the Foundation Directory Online **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Karl L. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 23, 2020 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The directory is very user friendly and contains a wealth of high quality information about grantors and grantees **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** For Childkind, there are no downsides to using the product **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Don't do grant writing without it. Instead of paying a consultant, try using the Foundation Directory to manage your donor research. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It has help our agency target foundation prospects with greater precision. We reduce the number of applications that had little of any chance of getting approved and increased the number of those that were more on target with with the funder's priorities. ### 19. Great Service **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Susie B. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 18, 2020 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The fact that this service exists, the information they provide and how organized the information is. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** May sometimes be hard to find information due to specificity of searches. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Use it! It is a useful resource for anyone working in the development area. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding grant ps **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Susie, Thank you for your review. ### 20. Highly recommend Foundation Directory Online **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Kelly C. | Consultant, Non-Profit Organization Management, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 02, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** FDO is user-friendly, the tools are extremely useful, and the database is comprehensive. It is easily the best "bang for your buck" in terms of identifying grant opportunities specific to your organization. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The only drawback I have found is that you have to be fairly specific about where you place your search terms in the search tool, however once you learn that, it really is quite simple. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Do it! You will be glad you chose FDO. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have been able to identify many more opportunities for funding than ever before. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Kelly, Thank you for your review. ### 21. FDO is a resource all nonprofit grant seekers need to have! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Amanda B. | Development Annual Fund | Marketing Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 15, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Finding grants that fit your nonprofit wheelhouse is a difficult task. FDO makes finding grants easy. Without this resource I was at a loss in targeting relevent grants (of all sizes). **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Often grantors don't give a lot of detail, making the FDO report sparse. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Sending more grants per fiscal year! ### 22. Essential Tool **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mary R. | Director of Development, Fund-Raising, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 06, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Access to 990's and relevant information summarized in one page **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** My "FDO" could be structured a bit differently. Instead of putting prospective foundation's into a proposal queue, it would be helpful to be able to create a project and then attach/assign foundations as potential prospects for each. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Funding for programs and non-capital related initiatives ### 23. Easy to navigate program **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lynda E. | Director of RFP Specialists, Education Management, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 17, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The user interface is clean and simple. The website is easy to navigate making the search for a grant easy. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The price is a little high. There are a lot of features in the program that are not intuitive and I would need to be trained to use the program to the fullest. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Foundation Directory Online has made the process of finding matching grants efficient. ### 24. One-Stop-Shop for Foundation Research **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Wes B. | Development Coordinator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 08, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The site is very easy to navigate, and the information is as comprehensive as you could hope for it to be. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The price. I wish there was a discounted option for those smaller 501(c)(3) entities with only one development officer on staff who struggle to budget $1400/year for a foundation database. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** It's everything you'll ever need in a foundation database. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Easy access to grantmaker's contact information. This helps immensely in cutting down the time I might spend pursuing a grantmaker that might prove to be a bad fit. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Wes, Thank you for your review. ### 25. Researching **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Barbara C. | Grant Writer/Researcher, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 08, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I like the way that I can categorize my searches. I can always go back to a client's profile and review the information. I don't have to create numerous spreadsheets to achieve my goals. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Recently there have been some glitches in the bullseye. I understand it is being fixed. I really like the ability to keep it on-line. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is all about organization. I control the way, I set it up and the prospects. The tools help me to use your information to the best use for me. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Barbara, Thank you for your review! The bullseye glitch shouldn't be an issue anymore, if you are still experiencing issues please let me know. Thanks, Dorothy ### 26. I loved this product and then they changed the interface. Use it at the library **Rating:** 1.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Maryrose L. | Prospect Research Professional, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 03, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I've had a Foundation Directory Professional for several years, and it was always my first stop for Donor Research until they changed the interface. For many years it was the most comprehensive and flexible foundation tool in the country and I recommended it to all my clients. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** They recently changed the interface, and now it is a significantly less flexible tool. For example, I was previously able to remove records from my search by using flexible search terms such as NOT and AND and OR. All that is gone now in favor of drop-down menus. It is as if they purposely hobbled their own product. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Please make sure the interface will give you what you need. Use the FDO at your library to see before buying. Many towns and cities have it in their libraries. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** I used Foundation Directory Online on a daily basis for the past 5 years. I used it in two ways 1) to check to see if an individual is a board member or funder of a foundation and 2) to create specific profiles for nonprofits who needed a set of funders for a new or existing product. ### 27. Focusing in a crowd **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Christopher S. | Executive Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 17, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The different focus filters available allows me to zero in on funding targets **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I can't think of anyting I dislike but I need to get 40 characters minimum for this question **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Great resource **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Concentrated researching of potential donors who focus on my field ### 28. Foundation Directory Online is necessary for all grant writers **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** There are a variety of ways to search for grants for your non profit on Foundation Directory online. You can find a grant for any cause and then find the details of completing the RFP. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The cost structure is a bit pricey for a small non profit or for consultants that do this work part time. It is fine for larger 501 c 3's. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** It is easy to use with the free version and then you can upgrade if you think it is correct for your needs. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is great for finding out details of Foundations that we have used in the past and want to get up to date information for. It also is great for finding brand new funds for organizations. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 29. Best tool for Foundation Research **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Elsa M. | Grant Writer, Civic & Social Organization, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 21, 2019 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** User friendly program with advanced search categories that allow you to narrow results **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Nothing **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Preparing indepth grants calendars for my nonprofit clients. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Elsa, Thank you for your review! ### 30. Super helpful database **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 13, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** You can look up so many things about foundations and funding sources that you can't find anywhere else on the internet. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** There's nothing I don't like about Foundation Directory. It's so helpful to me as a grant writer. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** This helps us research grant and foundation prospects and grow our revenue. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review! ### 31. My experience with Foundation Directory Online **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Civic & Social Organization | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 20, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I like that the Foundation Directory is a one stop shop for discovering the who, what, where, when and why of the grant writing process. It can be tough to locate the best targets for grant proposals, and so a resource like foundation directory can be very helpful. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I dislike the process of actually gathering the who, what, where, when and why on the Foundation Directory site. I don't find the site particularly user friendly. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Be prepared to spend time navigating this site... the answers will not just appear, you must dig for them. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** The Foundation Directory had one very specific use for our agency - a place to find businesses/companies etc that have money to grant to our agency. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. Just wondering if you are on the new or old FDO? We launched a new interface recently, which is much easier to navigate. ### 32. Good amount of info and use **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Marketing and Advertising | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I liked how easy it was to use this software and how much information was available **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Though the pricing made sense for my business I could see how this would make it unaffordable for many **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** I would say there are more competitive pricing offers and there are offers with more information, but this has a lot of information for the price that you are paying and the ease of use brings a layer that is invaluable especially with an aging staff. This product works for start up if you can afford the price point and for mid level companies as well. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It gives you insight into information that isnt always available without personal connections or deep dives into google. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 33. One-Stop Comprehensive Funder Reasearch **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Derek R. | Executive Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 14, 2017 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Full-spectrum search and grants development **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Clunky workspace at times though the recent update is an improvement; a bit pricey **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** New, cleaner, more intuitive user interface. Good for locating potential funders and grant opportunities, big or small. Worth the investment. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have a niche mission as a nonprofit which translate to competing for very broad grants or finding very specific grants. FDO does a good job of being able to locate off-the-beaten-path grant opportunities thanks to it's very flexible search function and a huge database. We are able to do research for grant opportunities, like-minded foundations, similar past grants and their recipients, past IRS Form 990s, key personnel, etc. Similarly helpful is being able to keep all the research straight in a workspace, a workspace with a workflow interface. It's where you can list tagged foundations and steps you through stages of proposal development and submission, entering work notes along the way. Our first grant we ever received (and the first grant we ever applied for) was through diligent research using FDO to identify likely opportunities and then homing in one one "most likely of success" grant. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Derek, thank you for you review and feedback. We are actually working on Workspace improvements, look forward to releasing the changes soon. ### 34. Researching grant making data using Foundation Directory Online **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Hanna S. | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 17, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The analysis, graphs and tables presented in the website. Allow to learn about the overall trends. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The fact that the data is "processed" which makes it harder to conduct scholarly research. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Make sure that you can use the raw data and not only analysis and trends. Make sure there is long term and comprehensive data for what you are interested in. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Researching grant making organizations, writing on philanthropy and fundraising **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Hanna, Thank you for your review. ### 35. Comprehensive Database for Scholarships and Grants **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The Foundation Center database is easy to use and includes a comprehensive list of grants and scholarships. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The expense can be a little high for some organizations. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** They sometimes give a free trial so you can see if it is helpful for your organization. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** I've used this program to search for grants for non-profits and scholarships for individuals. I've been able to identify grant opportunities for organizations and help them get funding for programs and operating support. ### 36. One of the best online directories research Foundations and grant opportunities **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Julie E. | Corporate Giving Development Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The searchable 990 Forms is an amazing tool to utilize when researching potential funders and saves you a ton of time! The site is also very intuitive and easy to use. Foundation Center was also recommended by my professor in a graduate-level grant writing course. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** It's expensive and there are cheaper alternatives that have a similar functionality. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** I would recommend Foundation Center as long as its within your budget. There are other alternatives at a lower cost that can still aid in your grant research if cost is an issue. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Researching Foundations and potential grant opportunities **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Julie, thank you for your review. ### 37. It’s great! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Hospital & Health Care | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 19, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** I enjoy the simplicity of the website and being able to search easily. They have a lot of relevant information for any development specialist to use for their own benefit. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I do not have anything that I dislike, but there could be better organization. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It provides information on fellow foundations and creates a way for us to be connected. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 38. good resource **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** eric h. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 18, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** up to date information on certain industru=ies of interest **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** may have info for big issues, not little local level info. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** funding **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 39. reliable information **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 18, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** It is easy to use and has self service tools to help navigate thru the web page. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I have no dislike on this product. I think it is worth it. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** It helps build skill sets, introduce ideas and practitioner. It also give you list of grant application. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 40. Non-profit Fundraising **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Education Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 17, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The ability to search for foundations and their required funding amounts and requirements. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** It is not necessarily possible to identify those who directly fund the foundation or their reasons for giving. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Searching for new potential funding sources. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. Just wondering are you on the old or new FDO? We recently launched a new interface and the giving parameter you mention are available for each funder. You might find this video helpful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_V2zxYxyNw ### 41. Easy to use- good search **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Abby L. | Manager of Community Funding and Volunteers, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 09, 2017 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The search capacity has improved from earlier editions. It makes looking much easier. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** Still can be clunky and can be confusing until you get a knack for layout. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** It’s an investment— see if you can team it with another Funder or if it’s a good fit with the library. Ours is through our library. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Searching for funding sources is easier and information on the Funder is easier to locate. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi Abby, thank you for your review, Just wondering are you on the old or new FDO? We recently launched a new interface, the new navigation is much more intuitive. ### 42. Great tool **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 14, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Great way to search grants. It is easy to use **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I guess it’s the price. However you need someone to dedicate to find the grant and apply. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finds the grants to apply **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 43. Excellent Resource **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** William M. | Executive Director, Non-Profit Organization Management, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 08, 2017 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Excellent Resource for identifying potential sources of grants. It's a good tool if you are trying to determine whether a new program concept has enough potential support to warrant more intensive effort. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** I'd like to be able to search with more granularity. If your organisation's work is very specialized it can be a challenge to identify funders that support organizations like yours. If your planned activity has broad appeal, this will not be a problem for you. **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** I strongly encourage that you try it to see if it meets your specific needs. It can be a valuable resource. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** The directory contains a massive amount of information on funders of all sizes. It's a real time saver. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Hi William, thank you for your review. ### 44. Foundation Directory Online Review **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Fund-Raising | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 05, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** Comprehensive one-stop shop for foundation and grants research, including archived 990s **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** The cost is fairly high for what you get, especially when compared to similar products **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Make sure you do some comparisons and cost analysis with similar products. FDO is great, but you may be able to accomplish what you need for less cost with a different product. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Researching potential funders and grant opportunities **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ### 45. A must-have for nonprofits **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 17, 2018 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** The abundance of data that is compiled, well-organized and easy to digest **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** the search function - it's time consuming to scroll through so many names to identify the correct foundation **Recommendations to others considering Foundation Directory Online:** Provide feedback so they can continue to improve their data and product. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding foundations with an interest in funding my nonprofit, finding information about foundations' focus areas and boards. We have identified foundations to apply to from FDO and have strengthened our applications with the information FDO provides. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review! ### 46. Foundation Directory Online is a great tool for grantseeking research! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 12, 2017 **What do you like best about Foundation Directory Online?** FDO has a huge amount of records in their grant database. We love their interactive grant maps and charts as well as their keyword-searchable database for 990s. **What do you dislike about Foundation Directory Online?** There is nothing about this product that we do not like. **What problems is Foundation Directory Online solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have saved on time at the office searching for funders 990s as well as their funding opps. **Official Response from Dorothy Ho:** > Thank you for your review. ## Foundation Directory Online Discussions - [What is the Foundation Center by candid?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-foundation-center-by-candid) - 1 comment - [How much does Foundation Directory Online cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-foundation-directory-online-cost) - 1 comment - [View Foundation Directory Online pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/foundation-directory-online/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-07-08+18%3A03%3A15+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=200c2836-9350-4670-811a-6494ca8aa07b&secure%5Btoken%5D=a4bc0263abab5be1b51bf808b9424c3f6a005a44190ce326b3a6e2ebae821584&format=llm_user) ## Top Foundation Directory Online Alternatives - [Instrumentl](https://www.g2.com/products/instrumentl/reviews) - 4.9/5.0 (128 reviews) - [iWave](https://www.g2.com/products/iwave/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (475 reviews) - [DonorSearch](https://www.g2.com/products/donorsearch/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (223 reviews)