How to See Available Corporate Grants for Nonprofits

How to Find Available Corporate Grants for Nonprofits

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Securing funding is one of the biggest challenges nonprofits face. While individual donations and foundation grants are vital, corporate grants for nonprofits represent a powerful but often underutilized funding stream. From Fortune 500 companies to local businesses, corporations provide millions of dollars each year to nonprofits that align with their philanthropic priorities.

But here’s the challenge: finding these corporate grant opportunities isn’t always straightforward. Some are publicized widely, while others are tucked away in corporate social responsibility portals or employee giving programs. To maximize revenue, nonprofits need a systematic approach to uncovering, tracking, and pursuing these funding opportunities.

This guide walks you through what corporate grants are, why they matter, and, most importantly, how to find the right funding that aligns with your mission. We’ll cover:

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear roadmap for navigating the corporate funding landscape, from knowing where to look to understanding which opportunities are worth pursuing.

Whether you’re a small nonprofit just starting to explore corporate partnerships or an established organization aiming to expand your funding base, these strategies will equip you to identify grants that not only provide financial support but also foster long-term, mission-aligned relationships with companies committed to making a difference.

Understanding Corporate Grants

Corporate grants are financial contributions provided by companies to support charitable organizations, programs, or projects. Unlike foundation grants, which usually have long histories and established processes, corporate grants are often tied to a company’s CSR goals, employee engagement initiatives, or community impact priorities.

Types of Corporate Grants

There are several types of corporate grants available for nonprofits, including:

  • Direct Grants: Cash awards given to nonprofits for specific programs or general operating support.

  • Matching Gifts & Employee Giving Grants: Companies match employee donations, effectively doubling nonprofit revenue.

  • In-Kind Grants: Contributions of products, services, or professional expertise (e.g., software, equipment, legal advice).

  • Volunteer Grants (Dollars for Doers): Companies donate funds based on employees’ volunteer hours.

  • Challenge Grants: Funding contingent on the nonprofit raising additional money from other sources.

Understanding these categories helps nonprofits know where to look and which types of opportunities are most aligned with their needs. The more familiar you are with each of these kinds of funding, the better chance you’ll have of ultimately securing corporate grants for your cause.

Why Nonprofits Should Seek Corporate Grants

Corporate grants provide nonprofits with additional, often much-needed revenue. But the advantages don’t stop there! Here are some key benefits:

Financial Support for Programs and Operations

Corporate grants provide nonprofits with the funding they need to support their programs, operations, or special projects. This financial support allows nonprofits to execute their missions, expand their initiatives, and create a more significant impact in the communities they serve.

Increased Visibility and Credibility

Receiving a corporate grant elevates a nonprofit’s visibility and credibility. Being associated with well-known, reputable companies can build trust with donors, volunteers, and the general public, allowing them to enhance their reach and reputation alike.

Access to New Resources

Beyond financial support, corporate grants sometimes include in-kind donations of goods or services. These additional resources can help nonprofits reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance their capacity to serve their beneficiaries. For example, a tech company might provide software licenses alongside grant funding, helping nonprofits modernize operations.

Best Practices for Finding Corporate Grants

Identifying corporate grants requires persistence, strategy, and the right tools. Here are actionable best practices:

1. Define Your Funding Priorities

Before searching, nonprofits should clarify:

  • What projects or programs need funding?

  • Are you seeking general operating support, program-specific dollars, or in-kind contributions?

  • Which corporate missions align with your cause (e.g., sustainability, education, health)?

This clarity prevents wasted time chasing misaligned opportunities and ensures outreach resonates with the right companies.

2. Research Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs

Many companies post details of their CSR and community giving programs online. Visit corporate websites, specifically:

  • CSR/Impact pages

  • Annual sustainability or impact reports

  • Corporate foundations’ websites

For example, The Home Depot Foundation highlights support for housing and veteran programs, while Google.org funds technology-driven initiatives.

Pro tip: Look beyond Fortune 500 companies—regional corporations and local businesses often have community giving initiatives that are less competitive and easier to access.

3. Leverage Your Network

Your board members, staff, and volunteers may already have corporate connections. Encourage them to:

  • Ask their employers about existing grant programs.

  • Provide introductions to CSR officers or HR departments.

  • Advocate for the nonprofit in workplace giving campaigns.

Networking can be one of the fastest ways to identify hidden opportunities.

4. Monitor Corporate Grant Deadlines

Corporate grants often follow cycles (annual, quarterly, or rolling). For example, the Walmart Foundation accepts applications quarterly, while the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has seasonal deadlines for community impact grants.

For optimal results, create a calendar of deadlines to ensure your organization never misses an opportunity.

5. Track Emerging Corporate Partnerships

Pay attention to news about mergers, acquisitions, and expansions. New corporate initiatives often come with funding for local communities. For example, when a company opens a new office or facility, it may launch grant programs to support nonprofits in that region.

Top Tools and Resources to Locate Corporate Grants

Locating corporate grants doesn’t have to feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With the right mix of digital platforms and community-based resources, nonprofits can streamline their search and uncover opportunities that align with their mission. Below are some of the most effective tools and strategies to build a reliable pipeline of corporate funders.

Double the Donation’s Database

A powerful starting point for any nonprofit is Double the Donation’s corporate giving database, which provides the most comprehensive coverage of workplace giving and corporate philanthropy programs available today. With data on more than 24,000 companies and 26 million employees, it allows nonprofits to quickly identify which of their donors’ employers offer matching gifts, volunteer grants, or other forms of corporate support. Beyond simply finding opportunities, Double the Donation integrates with donation forms and CRMs to automatically surface eligible programs during the giving process, ensuring nonprofits don’t leave corporate dollars on the table.

Candid (Foundation Directory Online)

Candid’s Foundation Directory Online is a long-standing and trusted resource for grantseekers. While it includes traditional foundations, it also covers many corporate giving programs and company-sponsored foundations. Nonprofits can filter by geographic focus, subject area, and type of support to find relevant corporate funders. It’s particularly useful for identifying large, national-level companies with formal grantmaking arms.

Instrumentl

Instrumentl combines grant discovery, tracking, and management into one streamlined platform. In addition to surfacing corporate grant opportunities, it provides smart recommendations based on a nonprofit’s mission and funding history. Its collaboration features also make it easy for teams to manage deadlines, assign tasks, and track proposals in one place. For organizations with limited staff, this can save significant time and reduce missed opportunities.

Zeffy Grant Finder

For organizations looking for a free tool, the Zeffy Grant Finder is a helpful entry point. While not as robust as paid platforms, it offers nonprofits access to a wide range of funding opportunities, including corporate grants, and can be a good option for smaller organizations just beginning their search.

GrantStation

GrantStation offers another searchable database that covers both foundation and corporate funders. What makes GrantStation stand out is its curated funding newsletters and “insider” information on upcoming opportunities. It also includes tools for strategic planning, helping nonprofits align their grant-seeking with long-term funding goals.

Local and Community-Based Resources

While national databases are powerful, don’t overlook local resources that can connect nonprofits with nearby businesses offering grants:

  • Chambers of Commerce often highlight local companies with community giving initiatives.

  • Corporate Press Releases announce new CSR programs or regional funding priorities—set up alerts to stay ahead.

  • Nonprofit Associations at the state or regional level frequently curate lists of current grant opportunities and share insider knowledge.

  • LinkedIn and Social Media make it easy to follow companies and receive real-time updates on philanthropic announcements.

By combining specialized grant databases, integrated tools like Double the Donation, and community-based intelligence, nonprofits can dramatically expand their reach and efficiency in identifying corporate grant opportunities. This hybrid approach ensures that organizations don’t just find the “big name” funders everyone is chasing, but also uncover local and niche opportunities that may be a better fit for their mission and community.

Examples of Corporate Grantmakers

Corporate philanthropy takes many forms, and each company shapes its grantmaking around its mission, brand values, and impact goals. Understanding how specific corporations approach nonprofit funding can help organizations identify the best potential partners. Below are several well-known corporate funders whose programs illustrate the range of opportunities available to nonprofits.

Google.org

Google.org serves as the philanthropic arm of Google, directing hundreds of millions of dollars annually toward nonprofit causes worldwide. Its giving strategy focuses on leveraging technology for social good, with particular emphasis on digital skills training, artificial intelligence for humanitarian challenges, climate change mitigation, and crisis response. Google.org is unique in combining financial grants with in-kind support such as free advertising credits through Google Ad Grants and technical expertise from employees who volunteer their skills. Nonprofits working in areas like education, digital literacy, and innovative technology solutions are particularly well-positioned to benefit from Google.org’s resources.

Walmart Foundation

The Walmart Foundation is one of the largest corporate philanthropies in the U.S., reflecting the company’s extensive footprint in local communities. The foundation provides community grants directly to local nonprofits, typically ranging from $250 to $5,000, supporting initiatives in education, workforce development, sustainability, and hunger relief. In addition, the foundation funds larger national and international projects aligned with its commitment to creating economic opportunity and strengthening community resilience. Because Walmart operates stores in nearly every region, nonprofits at both the grassroots and national level have pathways to apply for funding.

Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation focuses on global issues related to sustainability, women’s empowerment, and community well-being. With a presence in more than 200 countries, the foundation supports initiatives that improve access to clean water, encourage recycling and waste reduction, and advance women in leadership roles. The foundation’s grants often pair with Coca-Cola’s environmental sustainability goals, making it a strong partner for nonprofits in conservation, economic development, and health. Local communities also benefit through regional Coca-Cola bottling plants that sometimes offer smaller-scale grants tied to community needs.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation directs its giving toward economic mobility, with funding priorities in affordable housing, workforce development, small business support, and community revitalization. The foundation emphasizes systemic impact, often funding multi-year partnerships with nonprofits tackling economic inequality at scale. In addition to monetary grants, Bank of America provides in-kind expertise and employee volunteerism through initiatives like “Better Money Habits,” which provides financial education resources. For nonprofits focused on poverty alleviation, job training, or housing solutions, Bank of America represents a major corporate grantmaker aligned with these missions.

Salesforce Foundation

The Salesforce Foundation integrates philanthropy deeply into the company’s business model, following a “1-1-1 model” of giving: 1% of Salesforce’s equity, 1% of product, and 1% of employee time are committed to communities. The foundation funds programs in education, workforce development, and technology for nonprofits, with particular attention to increasing equity in access to opportunities. Grants are often paired with in-kind support, such as discounted or donated Salesforce licenses, and pro bono help from Salesforce employees. Nonprofits that rely on data and technology to improve services can especially benefit from Salesforce’s unique combination of financial and technical support.

Conclusion

Finding available corporate grants for nonprofits requires a proactive, multi-layered strategy. By defining your funding needs, researching CSR initiatives, leveraging databases, tapping into networks, and monitoring emerging opportunities, nonprofits can build a steady pipeline of corporate support.

Corporate grants are more than funding; they open doors to partnerships, resources, and credibility. With the right approach, your nonprofit can uncover and secure the corporate funding necessary to expand programs, strengthen operations, and make a greater community impact.

Unlock More Corporate Grant Opportunities with Double the Donation

Ready to simplify your search for corporate grants? Double the Donation provides tools and resources to help nonprofits identify eligible corporate funding programs, maximize matching gifts, and strengthen workplace giving strategies.

Get a demo today and see how you can uncover more corporate grant opportunities for your organization.