Why Nonprofits Should Explore Candid

Author:  Anne De Irala

May I be candid for a moment? Until a recent live webinar sponsored by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, I wasn’t aware of the full spectrum of insights provided by Candid, formed in 2019 after the merger of GuideStar and Foundation Center.

I’ve long found value in Candid’s Nonprofit Search, which provides a comprehensive database of registered nonprofits in the U.S., built on publicly available IRS data. Nonprofits can also self-report, adding details such as mission statements, program highlights, strategic goals, and demographic information. Funders see this information too—making organizational transparency a valuable fundraising asset.

What I didn’t fully appreciate was the power of the Foundation Directory. This tool supports nonprofits in actively searching for funding by making it easy to research foundations, corporate giving programs, and grant makers. With filters for focus areas (like health, education, or environment), geography (local, regional, national), and type of support (programmatic, operational, etc.), the directory helps nonprofits pinpoint the right funding opportunities.

The Foundation Directory is a subscription-based resource—but there’s good news. Many public libraries provide free access, and for nonprofits with annual revenue or expenses under $1M, Candid’s Go for the Gold program offers a free year of Foundation Directory Professional when you earn a Gold Seal of Transparency or higher.

While TikTok and Instagram influencers might share “sponsored tips,” this isn’t a paid promotion—it’s simply one more tool your organization can use to broaden its scope of funding. With unmatched data depth and strategic insights, Candid is worth exploring.

As our Community Engagement and Access Facilitator, Anne is our dedicated "professional connector". If you're looking for resources or information please send an email, Anne@nonprofnetwork.org