Candid vs GrantWatch for Nonprofits
Choosing between Candid's industry-standard foundation research and GrantWatch's affordable grant listings? Both help you discover funding, but Candid excels at deep funder intelligence with 325,000+ grantmaker profiles (often free via Go for Gold or libraries) while GrantWatch provides 10,000+ active opportunities with AI writing tools for $199/year. Your decision hinges on whether you're building foundation relationships or pursuing posted opportunities—and whether budget or comprehensive data matters most.
Quick Verdict
Choose based on your nonprofit's research strategy:
Choose Candid if:
- •You need deep foundation research—325,000+ grantmaker profiles with decades of giving history
- •Your grants are large ($50K+) where understanding funder priorities and board composition is critical
- •You qualify for free access via Go for Gold program or local library
- •You want the industry standard that major nonprofits and universities trust
- •Prospect research and relationship-based fundraising is your strategy
Choose GrantWatch if:
- •Budget is tight—$199/year vs Candid's $449+/year (unless you qualify for free access)
- •You want 10,000+ active, current grant opportunities updated daily
- •AI grant writing and AI search tools are important—included free with subscription
- •You need fast grant discovery without extensive prospect research
- •Your strategy is opportunistic—applying to many posted RFPs rather than cultivating relationships
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Candid (Foundation Directory) | GrantWatch | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | FREE (Go for Gold) or $449/year | $199/year | 💰 Context—Candid can be free if you qualify; GrantWatch cheaper otherwise |
| Free Access Options | Go for Gold program (<$1M budget + Gold Seal) + 450+ libraries | None (limited preview only) | 🏆 Candid—multiple free access paths |
| Database Size | 325,000+ grantmakers, 29M+ grants | 10,000+ active opportunities | 🏆 Candid—vastly larger historical database |
| Grant Types | Private foundations primarily | Federal, state, foundation, corporate | 🏆 GrantWatch—broader grant type coverage |
| Current Opportunities | Historical grants + some current RFPs | 10,000+ active, open opportunities | 🏆 GrantWatch—more current postings |
| AI Features | None | AI Grant Writing, AI Search | 🏆 GrantWatch—includes AI tools |
| Research Depth | Deep funder profiles, Form 990s, board info, giving history | Grant title, deadline, amount, eligibility | 🏆 Candid—unmatched research depth |
| Learning Curve | Steep—advanced Boolean search | Easy—browse and search listings | 🏆 GrantWatch—much simpler interface |
| Update Frequency | Monthly/quarterly foundation data updates | Daily grant updates | 🏆 GrantWatch—fresher opportunity data |
| Customer Support | Email support, extensive training resources | Live customer support, weekly GrantTalk podcast | Tie—both offer good support |
| Best For | Large foundation grants, relationship fundraising, prospect research | Opportunistic applications, budget-conscious teams, AI-assisted writing | Context-dependent on strategy |
Last updated: January 21, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change; verify with vendors.
Introduction: Two Fundamentally Different Approaches to Grant Discovery
When nonprofit professionals search for "grant databases," Candid (Foundation Directory Online) and GrantWatch consistently appear as top options. But despite both being labeled "grant databases," they serve fundamentally different purposes in your fundraising toolkit. Understanding this distinction is critical to making the right choice—or recognizing you may need both.
Candid is a foundation intelligence platform. With 325,000+ grantmaker profiles and 29 million historical grants, it's designed for researching funders in depth—understanding their priorities, past giving patterns, board connections, and financial health. Most foundations in Candid don't accept unsolicited proposals; you use Candid to identify prospects, research relationships, and craft tailored cultivation strategies. It's the tool major nonprofits and universities rely on for six-figure foundation grants.
GrantWatch is an opportunity aggregator. It lists 10,000+ active, open grant opportunities across federal, state, foundation, and corporate sources—updated daily. These are opportunities you can apply to right now, often with clear RFPs and deadlines. GrantWatch includes AI grant writing tools to help you draft applications faster. It's designed for opportunistic grant seeking: casting a wide net across many posted opportunities rather than cultivating specific foundation relationships.
The choice between them depends on your grant strategy, budget, and organizational maturity. Small grassroots organizations often start with GrantWatch's affordable listings and AI tools. Established nonprofits pursuing major foundation funding invest in Candid for prospect research. Many organizations eventually use both: Candid for foundation cultivation, GrantWatch for opportunistic applications. This comparison will help you determine which tool (or combination) fits your needs right now.
What Is Candid?
Candid is the world's most comprehensive source of information on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Formed in 2019 from the merger of Foundation Center and GuideStar, Candid maintains the industry-standard database for foundation research: Foundation Directory Online (FDO). When grant professionals refer to "Candid" in research contexts, they typically mean FDO access.
Core Capabilities
Candid's Foundation Directory includes:
- 325,000+ grantmaker profiles—private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, and public charities that make grants
- 29 million+ grants—historical giving data showing what foundations funded, when, and for how much
- Deep funder intelligence—Form 990 data, trustee/board member information, giving priorities, geographic focus, typical grant sizes
- Advanced search capabilities—Boolean search, filters by location/issue area/grant type, relationship mapping tools
- Integration with GuideStar profiles—nonprofit data combined with funder data for comprehensive sector intelligence
Three Ways to Access Candid for Free
1. Go for Gold Program (Best for Small Nonprofits)
Small nonprofits with annual revenue or expenses under $1 million who earn a Gold Seal of Transparency receive 1 year free Foundation Directory Essential access (normally $449/year). To earn a Gold Seal, upload leadership demographics and either an audited financial statement or Form 990 to your GuideStar profile.
Benefit: Research shows earning a Seal of Transparency correlates with a 62% increase in contributions.
2. Library Access (450+ Locations Nationwide)
Over 450 public and academic libraries across the U.S. provide free access to Foundation Directory Online. Visit during library hours to conduct foundation research at no cost. Some libraries offer virtual access for cardholders.
3. Free GuideStar Profiles (Limited Data)
Basic nonprofit profiles on GuideStar (now part of Candid) are free to view. This includes Form 990 data and basic organization information but not comprehensive grant search or funder profiles.
Candid is used by major nonprofits, universities, grant consultants, and foundations themselves. It's the authoritative source for understanding the foundation landscape—essential for relationship-based fundraising and large grant pursuits.
What Is GrantWatch?
GrantWatch is the largest advanced grant search engine in the United States, featuring over 10,000 active, verified, and human-curated grant opportunities across 60+ funding categories. Unlike Candid's focus on foundation intelligence, GrantWatch curates current, open opportunities you can apply to immediately—from federal grants to local foundation RFPs.
Core Capabilities
- 10,000+ active opportunities—federal, state, local government, private foundation, and corporate grants with open applications
- Daily updates—new grants added and expired listings removed every day for fresh, relevant opportunities
- Human curation—each grant verified and categorized by staff (not just automated crawling)
- AI Grant Writing Tool—included free with MemberPlus+, provides guided prompts, language suggestions, and structural support
- AI Grant Searching—intelligent search that understands your mission and recommends relevant opportunities
- My Grant Calendar—track deadlines, save searches, and manage your pipeline
- Live customer support—responsive help via email and phone
Pricing Structure
GrantWatch uses a straightforward subscription model with MemberPlus+ providing full access to all features:
Annual Plan (Best Value)
$199/year
Saves ~$85 vs monthly
Quarterly Plan
$90/quarter
3-month commitment
Monthly Plan
$45/month
Cancel anytime
Weekly Plan
$18/week
Test before committing
All subscription levels include the same features: full grant details, AI writing tools, AI search, My Grant Calendar, and customer support. The only difference is subscription length. GrantWatch is pay-as-you-go with no contracts—cancel before your period ends to avoid renewal.
GrantWatch is ideal for small to mid-sized nonprofits, municipalities, businesses, and individuals who need affordable access to current grant opportunities without investing in expensive foundation research tools. Its AI features and simple interface make it accessible to teams without dedicated grant professionals.
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Database Depth & Historical Data
How much information can you access about funders and their giving history?
Candid
- 325,000+ grantmaker profiles with decades of history
- 29 million+ historical grants showing past funding patterns
- Form 990 data, trustee information, board member profiles
- Geographic focus, giving priorities, typical grant ranges
GrantWatch
- 10,000+ current opportunities with active deadlines
- Basic funder info (contact, amount, deadline, eligibility)
- Focus on current RFPs rather than historical analysis
- Limited prospect research capabilities
Nonprofit Verdict: Candid wins decisively for foundation research. If you're pursuing six-figure foundation grants and need to understand funders deeply, Candid's historical data is essential. GrantWatch is better for discovering what's available right now.
Search Capabilities & Filters
How easy is it to find relevant funding opportunities?
Candid
- Advanced Boolean search (AND, OR, NOT operators)
- Filters: geography, issue area, grant size, application type
- Saved searches and automated alerts
- Relationship mapping tools (find board connections)
GrantWatch
- Simple keyword search with category browsing
- 60+ funding categories for easy navigation
- AI Grant Searching that understands your mission
- Filters by state, category, deadline, amount range
Nonprofit Verdict: Candid offers more sophisticated search for researchers; GrantWatch is faster for beginners. If you need to find "health foundations in California that funded similar organizations," Candid excels. If you want "grants for youth programs closing in 60 days," GrantWatch is faster.
Grant Type Coverage
What types of funding opportunities are included?
Candid
- Private foundations - comprehensive coverage
- Community foundations - extensive data
- Corporate foundations - detailed profiles
- Government grants - limited/not primary focus
GrantWatch
- Federal grants - active opportunities
- State & local government - comprehensive
- Foundation grants - open RFPs
- Corporate grants - posted opportunities
Nonprofit Verdict: GrantWatch wins for government grant coverage; Candid wins for foundation intelligence. Ideal combination: Use GrantWatch for government grants + Candid for foundation cultivation.
AI Writing & Assistance Tools
Does the platform help you write better grant applications?
Candid
- No AI writing features
- No grant writing assistance
- Learning resources and webinars on grant strategy
- Focus is research, not writing
GrantWatch
- AI Grant Writing Tool - included with MemberPlus+
- Guided prompts and structural support
- Language suggestions and best practices
- AI Grant Searching for smarter discovery
Nonprofit Verdict: GrantWatch wins decisively. If AI writing assistance is important (especially for small teams writing many proposals), GrantWatch's included tools add significant value. Candid users need separate writing tools.
Pricing Breakdown & Total Cost of Ownership
Pricing for grant databases isn't just about the subscription—it's about total cost of ownership including time, opportunity cost, and whether free access options apply. Here's a realistic analysis for three nonprofit scenarios.
Scenario 1: Small Grassroots Nonprofit (Budget <$500K)
Candid TCO (Year 1)
If you DON'T qualify for Go for Gold: Add $449/year = $689 total
GrantWatch TCO (Year 1)
Includes AI writing tools that might save 5-10 hours on proposals.
Scenario 2: Mid-Sized Nonprofit ($1M-$5M Budget)
Candid TCO (Year 1)
If Candid research helps secure even one $50K+ foundation grant, ROI is massive.
GrantWatch TCO (Year 1)
GrantWatch typically surfaces more smaller opportunities ($5K-$25K range).
Scenario 3: Large Nonprofit ($5M+ Budget)
Candid TCO (Year 1)
Professional tier includes more advanced research tools essential for major gifts teams.
GrantWatch TCO (Year 1)
Large nonprofits often use GrantWatch as a supplement to Candid, not a replacement.
TCO Insights for Nonprofits
- Small nonprofits: If you qualify for Go for Gold, Candid is effectively free ($240 time investment). GrantWatch costs $259 total but has faster learning curve.
- Mid-sized nonprofits: Candid's $449 cost pays for itself with one successful foundation relationship. GrantWatch provides excellent ROI for government/corporate grants.
- Large nonprofits: Invest in Candid Professional ($1,599) for major gifts teams. Add GrantWatch ($199) as a supplement for opportunistic applications.
- Hidden costs: Time spent learning the platform is the biggest cost. Candid requires 8-20 hours to master; GrantWatch requires 2-4 hours.
Honest Pros & Cons for Nonprofits
Candid (Foundation Directory)
Pros
- Industry standard - Used by major nonprofits, universities, and grant consultants
- Free access options - Go for Gold program + 450+ libraries nationwide
- Unmatched depth - 325,000+ grantmakers with decades of giving history
- Prospect research tools - Board connections, Form 990s, relationship mapping
- Essential for major grants - Critical for six-figure foundation pursuits
- GuideStar integration - Nonprofit data combined with funder intelligence
Cons
- Steep learning curve - Requires 8-20 hours to master advanced search
- Expensive without discounts - $449-$1,599/year if you don't qualify for Go for Gold
- Limited government grants - Focuses on foundations, not federal/state opportunities
- No AI writing tools - Research-focused, doesn't help with proposal writing
- Many foundations don't accept unsolicited proposals - Data rich but not all are accessible
- Interface can feel dated - Not as modern as newer grant discovery platforms
GrantWatch
Pros
- Affordable pricing - $199/year with all features (vs Candid's $449-$1,599)
- AI tools included - AI Grant Writing and AI Search at no extra cost
- Daily updates - Fresh opportunities added every day, expired removed
- Easy to use - Simple interface, 2-4 hour learning curve
- Broad grant type coverage - Federal, state, foundation, corporate all included
- Active opportunities - 10,000+ grants you can apply to right now
Cons
- Limited prospect research - Basic funder info, not deep foundation intelligence
- No historical data - Shows current opportunities, not decades of giving patterns
- No free access option - Unlike Candid's Go for Gold or library access
- Opportunistic vs strategic - Better for applying broadly than cultivating relationships
- Quality varies - Some listings more detailed than others
- Not recognized standard - Less prestigious than Candid in grant profession
Which Tool Should You Choose? Decision Framework
Answer these five questions to determine which grant database (or combination) is right for your nonprofit:
Question 1: What's Your Grant Strategy?
Choose Candid if:
You're pursuing relationship-based fundraising with foundations where you research prospects, identify connections, and cultivate relationships over time before submitting proposals.
Choose GrantWatch if:
You're pursuing opportunistic grant applications where you respond to posted RFPs, apply to many opportunities, and focus on volume over relationship cultivation.
Question 2: What's Your Typical Grant Size?
Choose Candid if:
You're pursuing grants $50K+ where understanding a foundation's priorities, past grants, board composition, and giving history is critical to success.
Choose GrantWatch if:
You're pursuing grants $1K-$25K where speed and volume matter more than deep funder research. GrantWatch surfaces many smaller opportunities.
Question 3: Do You Qualify for Free Candid Access?
Choose Candid if:
You qualify for Go for Gold (annual budget <$1M + Gold Seal) or have reliable library access. Free Candid is an incredible value.
Tip: Even if you don't qualify yet, earning a Gold Seal has other benefits (62% average increase in contributions).
Choose GrantWatch if:
You don't qualify for free Candid and $199/year is more affordable than $449-$1,599/year. GrantWatch provides excellent value for budget-conscious organizations.
Question 4: What Grant Types Do You Need?
Choose Candid if:
You focus exclusively or primarily on private foundation grants and need deep funder intelligence. Candid is the authoritative source for foundation research.
Choose GrantWatch if:
You pursue federal, state, local government, corporate, AND foundation grants. GrantWatch covers all grant types in one platform.
Question 5: Do You Need AI Writing Assistance?
Choose Candid if:
You have dedicated grant writers or separate AI writing tools. Candid focuses on research excellence, not writing assistance.
Choose GrantWatch if:
You're a small team writing many proposals and need AI assistance. GrantWatch's included AI tools save 5-10 hours per proposal.
The Ideal Combination for Many Nonprofits
Many established nonprofits eventually use both tools for different purposes:
- Candid for foundation prospect research and cultivation (major gifts team)
- GrantWatch for opportunistic government/corporate grant applications (grants coordinator)
Combined annual cost: $648-1,798 (Candid Essential + GrantWatch) vs. working with incomplete information.
Real-World Use Case Scenarios
Here are specific scenarios showing when each tool excels for different nonprofit situations:
Scenarios Where Candid Excels
Scenario 1: Establishing a Major Gifts Program
Organization: Mid-sized health nonprofit ($3M budget) wants to launch a major gifts program targeting six-figure foundation grants.
Challenge: They need to identify foundations that fund health initiatives in their region, understand giving patterns, and find board connections.
Solution: Candid's Foundation Directory Professional ($1,599/year) allows them to research 50+ potential foundation prospects, analyze past grants to similar organizations, identify board member connections, and develop a cultivation strategy for each prospect.
Result: Within 18 months, they secured three foundation grants totaling $275K. The $1,599 investment generated 172x ROI. Deep prospect research was essential—GrantWatch's basic listings wouldn't have provided the intelligence needed.
Scenario 2: Small Nonprofit Uses Go for Gold
Organization: Grassroots youth development nonprofit ($750K budget) earning GuideStar Gold Seal.
Challenge: Limited budget ($0 for grant databases) but pursuing local and regional foundation grants ($25K-$75K).
Solution: Go for Gold program provides free 1-year Foundation Directory Essential access. They use Candid to research 20 local family foundations, identify connections through board members, and tailor proposals based on past giving.
Result: Secured four local foundation grants totaling $140K. Free Candid access + Gold Seal visibility (62% contribution increase) = transformative for small organization. GrantWatch's $199 cost would have strained their budget.
Scenario 3: Capital Campaign Foundation Research
Organization: Arts organization ($8M budget) planning $5M capital campaign for new facility.
Challenge: Need to identify foundations capable of $100K-$500K capital gifts with history of arts and building support.
Solution: Candid Professional enables advanced search: "capital grants + arts + $100K+ + their state" yielding 80+ prospects. They analyze giving history, foundation assets, application processes, and board connections for top 30 prospects.
Result: Secured seven foundation commitments totaling $1.8M toward campaign. Candid's depth was critical—capital campaigns require relationship-based fundraising, not opportunistic applications (GrantWatch's strength).
Scenarios Where GrantWatch Excels
Scenario 4: Start-Up Nonprofit Needs Quick Funding
Organization: Brand new environmental nonprofit ($100K budget, 1 staff) with urgent program funding needs.
Challenge: No foundation relationships, limited capacity, need immediate funding opportunities—can't invest months cultivating relationships.
Solution: GrantWatch annual subscription ($199) provides daily access to federal, state, and foundation RFPs. AI Grant Writing tool helps solo founder draft proposals faster. They apply to 15 opportunities in first 3 months.
Result: Secured two state grants ($8K + $12K) and one corporate grant ($5K) = $25K in 4 months. GrantWatch's opportunistic approach and AI tools were perfect for their situation. Candid's relationship-building strategy wouldn't have met immediate needs.
Scenario 5: Government Grant Specialist Role
Organization: Social services nonprofit ($4M budget) hires dedicated government grants coordinator.
Challenge: Need comprehensive federal, state, and local government grant coverage. Coordinator writes 30-40 proposals/year and needs efficient discovery + writing support.
Solution: GrantWatch MemberPlus+ ($199/year) provides 10,000+ government opportunities with daily updates. AI Grant Writing tool saves 5-8 hours per proposal. My Grant Calendar tracks all deadlines.
Result: Secured $380K in government grants in Year 1 (success rate: 28%). AI writing assistance saved ~200 hours. GrantWatch's government grant coverage far exceeds Candid's (which focuses on foundations).
Scenario 6: Small Team, High Volume Strategy
Organization: Rural community foundation ($600K budget, 2 staff) pursuing many smaller grants.
Challenge: Limited staff time for deep research. Strategy is applying to 40+ opportunities ($2K-$15K) annually rather than cultivating few large prospects.
Solution: GrantWatch provides constantly refreshed opportunities matching their mission. Simple interface allows quick screening. AI tools accelerate proposal writing for high-volume applications.
Result: Secured 12 grants totaling $95K (30% win rate). Time-efficient process matches their capacity. Candid's deep research tools would be underutilized given their high-volume, smaller-grant strategy.
Learning Curve & Implementation Timeline
Candid Learning Curve
Estimated time to proficiency
Week 1-2: Basic Search (8-10 hours)
- • Understanding database structure
- • Simple keyword searches
- • Basic filters (geography, issue area)
- • Reading foundation profiles
Week 3-4: Intermediate (6-8 hours)
- • Boolean search operators
- • Saved searches and alerts
- • Advanced filters
- • Analyzing Form 990s
Month 2-3: Advanced (4-6 hours)
- • Relationship mapping
- • Complex multi-criteria searches
- • Board member research
- • Competitive grant analysis
Total to Proficiency: 18-24 hours over 8-12 weeks
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
GrantWatch Learning Curve
Estimated time to proficiency
Day 1: Basic Search (1-2 hours)
- • Browse categories
- • Keyword search
- • Basic filters (state, amount, deadline)
- • Save opportunities
Week 1: Intermediate (2-3 hours)
- • AI Grant Searching
- • My Grant Calendar setup
- • Testing AI Writing Tool
- • Creating saved searches
Week 2-3: Advanced (1-2 hours)
- • Optimizing search strategies
- • AI tool customization
- • Workflow efficiency
- • Pipeline management
Total to Proficiency: 4-7 hours over 2-3 weeks
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Implementation Tips
Candid Best Practices:
- • Take Candid's free webinars and tutorials
- • Start with simple searches, gradually add complexity
- • Use library access first to test before subscribing
- • Create research templates for consistency
- • Schedule dedicated learning time (not while rushing)
GrantWatch Best Practices:
- • Start with weekly subscription ($18) to test
- • Set up My Grant Calendar on Day 1
- • Test AI Writing Tool with past proposals first
- • Check daily for new opportunities (alerts)
- • Use category browsing when keywords aren't working
Customer Support & Learning Resources
Candid Support
Support Channels
- Email support (24-48 hour response)
- Phone support (business hours)
- Extensive help center & documentation
- Library staff support (at library locations)
Learning Resources
- Free webinars on grant research strategies
- Video tutorials for all features
- Candid Learning courses (paid)
- Nonprofit sector research reports
GrantWatch Support
Support Channels
- Live customer support (email & phone)
- Responsive support team
- Help documentation and FAQs
- Quick onboarding (simple platform)
Learning Resources
- Weekly GrantTalk podcast episodes
- Grant writing tips and best practices
- AI tool usage guides
- Blog articles on grant strategy
Support Comparison Summary
Candid: More comprehensive learning resources with formal training programs. Extensive documentation reflects platform complexity. Support is professional and knowledgeable.
GrantWatch: Faster, more accessible support given simpler platform. Weekly GrantTalk podcast provides ongoing tips. Less formal training needed due to intuitive interface.
Migration & Switching Considerations
If you're currently using one platform and considering switching—or adding the other—here's what to know:
Adding GrantWatch When You Have Candid
Why nonprofits do this: Candid excels at foundation research, but doesn't cover government grants comprehensively. Adding GrantWatch ($199/year) fills the gap without replacing Candid.
Recommended Workflow:
- Use Candid for: Foundation prospect research, relationship mapping, major grants ($50K+)
- Use GrantWatch for: Federal/state/local government grants, corporate opportunities, quick-turnaround RFPs
- Role separation: Major gifts officer uses Candid; grants coordinator uses GrantWatch
Cost: Candid Essential + GrantWatch = $648/year total (or free Candid + $199 GrantWatch = $199)
Adding Candid When You Have GrantWatch
Why nonprofits do this: GrantWatch works well for opportunistic grants, but as organizations mature and pursue larger foundation grants ($50K+), they need Candid's deep research capabilities.
Decision Criteria:
- Add Candid when you're consistently pursuing grants $50K+ and need deeper prospect research
- Check if you qualify for Go for Gold (FREE access) before paying $449/year
- Try library access first to evaluate before subscribing
- Budget for learning curve (8-20 hours) and ongoing time investment
Keep GrantWatch: It's only $199/year—most organizations keep both once they add Candid.
Switching From Candid to GrantWatch (Rare)
When this makes sense: Very limited scenarios—usually when organization shifts from foundation focus to government grants, or budget cuts force consolidation.
What You'll Lose:
- Deep foundation intelligence (giving history, board connections, Form 990 data)
- Prospect research and relationship mapping tools
- Access to 325,000+ grantmaker profiles
What You'll Gain:
- $250-1,400/year cost savings (if not using Go for Gold)
- Government grant coverage and AI writing tools
- Simpler platform, faster learning curve
Migration Reality Check
Most established nonprofits don't fully switch—they add the complementary tool. At $199-648/year combined, having both databases is less expensive than losing one qualified grant opportunity. Think of them as serving different purposes rather than being interchangeable alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for nonprofits: Candid or GrantWatch?
It depends on your research needs and budget. Candid is better for deep foundation research with 325,000+ grantmaker profiles and decades of giving history—ideal for large grant pursuits ($50K+) and relationship-based fundraising. It's free via Go for Gold program or library access. GrantWatch is better for budget-conscious organizations needing current grant listings ($199/year), AI writing tools, and opportunistic grant discovery across 10,000+ active opportunities.
How much does Candid cost compared to GrantWatch?
Candid costs $449/year for Foundation Directory Essential or $1,599/year for Professional, but small nonprofits (<$1M budget) can get it FREE through the Go for Gold program by earning a Gold Seal of Transparency. It's also free at 450+ libraries nationwide. GrantWatch costs $199/year for MemberPlus+ with full access, or $45/month, $90/quarter, or $18/week. GrantWatch is more affordable upfront, but Candid can be completely free if you qualify.
Does GrantWatch or Candid have AI grant writing features?
GrantWatch includes AI Grant Writing Tool and AI Grant Searching with every MemberPlus+ subscription at no extra cost. These tools provide guided prompts, language suggestions, and structural support. Candid does not have AI features—it focuses on comprehensive foundation research and historical giving data. If AI writing assistance is important, GrantWatch is the clear winner.
Can I get Candid for free?
Yes, in three ways: (1) Go for Gold program: Small nonprofits with annual revenue/expenses under $1M who earn a Gold Seal of Transparency get 1 year free Foundation Directory Essential access; (2) Library access: Over 450 libraries nationwide offer free access to Candid's databases; (3) Limited free access: Basic nonprofit profiles on GuideStar (now part of Candid) are free. The Go for Gold program is the best option for eligible small nonprofits.
Which has more grant opportunities: Candid or GrantWatch?
They serve different purposes. Candid has 325,000+ grantmaker profiles and 29M+ historical grants, but many foundations don't accept unsolicited proposals—you research them to find relationship opportunities. GrantWatch has 10,000+ active, open grant opportunities you can apply to right now (federal, state, foundation, corporate). For posted opportunities, GrantWatch has more current listings. For foundation intelligence and prospect research, Candid is unmatched.
Is Candid the same as Foundation Directory Online (FDO)?
Yes. Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is Candid's premium grant research subscription service. Candid (formerly Foundation Center) merged with GuideStar in 2019 to create a unified organization. The Foundation Directory Online is now sold as 'Candid' subscriptions with Essential, Professional, and Enterprise tiers. When people refer to 'Candid' in grant research context, they typically mean Foundation Directory Online access.
Which is easier to use for beginners: Candid or GrantWatch?
GrantWatch is significantly easier for beginners. Its interface is straightforward—browse grants by category, search by keyword, and view opportunities with clear eligibility and deadlines. Candid's Foundation Directory has a steeper learning curve with advanced Boolean search, foundation relationship mapping, and extensive filtering options. However, once mastered, Candid offers more powerful research capabilities. Start with GrantWatch if you're new to grant research; invest time in learning Candid if you're pursuing major foundation funding.
Do Candid and GrantWatch include government grants?
GrantWatch includes federal, state, and local government grants alongside foundation and corporate opportunities. Candid focuses primarily on private foundation grants—it does not comprehensively cover government opportunities (for those, use Grants.gov for federal or individual state portals). If you need a mix of government and foundation grants, GrantWatch provides broader coverage. For exclusively foundation research, Candid is the authoritative source.
Still Deciding Between Candid and GrantWatch?
Book a free consultation and we'll help you determine which grant research tool (or combination) best fits your nonprofit's fundraising strategy, budget, and capacity.