$1,700 a year.
For a database.
Candid Foundation Directory charges $1,700/year — and users describe the post-merger interface as unusable. Bloomwell gives you foundation funder data, 9,700+ searchable grants, and an AI that knows your org for a fraction of the cost.
No credit card required · See your first match free
What are good alternatives to Candid for nonprofit grant research?
Candid — the organization behind Foundation Directory Online and GuideStar — provides the most comprehensive foundation database currently available in the United States, with searchable profiles on more than 235,000 grantmakers and detailed giving histories drawn from IRS 990 filings. The primary limitation for smaller nonprofits is cost: full access to Foundation Directory Online runs between $1,700 and $4,500 per year depending on subscription tier, making it economically accessible mainly to organizations with development staff and budgets above $2 million. For organizations with smaller budgets, the practical alternative is a combination of free sources — Candid's public nonprofit profile database, ProPublica's 990 finder, local community foundation grant portals, and state-specific grant databases — paired with a more targeted research workflow. Tools that filter for organizational fit before surfacing results can dramatically reduce the manual review required. Bloomwell AI offers Candid-style funder intelligence at a price point designed for smaller nonprofits.
Why nonprofits switch
Side by side
| Bloomwell AI | Candid | Instrumentl | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual price | $299/year | $1,700/year | $588+/year |
| Foundation funders | ✓ 637 records | ✓ Extensive | ✗ Limited |
| Grant database | ✓ 9,700+ active | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Org-aware AI | ✓ Learns your org | ✗ None | ✗ Generic |
| Free grant match | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |