Grant research · head to head
Candid Foundation Directory vs GrantStation
Candid Foundation Directory and GrantStation are both grant research tools. Candid Foundation Directory fits deep due diligence on specific foundations and their 990 giving history; GrantStation fits budget-conscious shops that want a broad funder database and will run their own searches. The table below lines up price, free tier, and fit so you can see which one matches your shop.
| Candid Foundation Directory | GrantStation | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | From ~$449/yr; free at partner libraries | ~$199/yr via TechSoup |
| Pricing model | Tiered subscription; free on-site access via Candid partner libraries | Flat annual membership; TechSoup and seasonal discounts |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Deep due diligence on specific foundations and their 990 giving history | Budget-conscious shops that want a broad funder database and will run their own searches |
| Last verified | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 |
Candid Foundation Directory
Strengths: The most authoritative foundation and 990 data set available; Grant-history detail shows who a funder actually gives to; Free at hundreds of partner libraries.
Watch for: Paid tiers get expensive as search scope grows; Research tool only; no deadline or pipeline management; Dense interface built for researchers.
GrantStation
Strengths: Among the cheapest paid entries into funder research at the TechSoup price; Covers private, corporate, and government funders in one database; Weekly funding alerts arrive without extra effort.
Watch for: Search is manual; you do the filtering that matching tools automate; No pipeline or deadline management built in; Funder profiles are thinner than premium research platforms.