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How to Use Your Grant Report

Each report is packed with funder profiles, grant histories, positioning strategies, and action plans. Here's how to get the most out of every section.

New to TheGrantScout? This guide works with our sample report.

REPORT WALKTHROUGH
1

Where to Start

What's in This Section

  • The one foundation you should contact first
  • Exactly what to send them and why
  • Why this foundation is the strongest match
  • Time estimate for the submission

What It Means for You

Not every nonprofit has 16 hours a month for grant research. This section cuts straight to your best opportunity so even the busiest development director can take action. If you do nothing else, do this.

Example from the Report

Email [email protected] with a 2-page LOI introducing your organization. Why them: They gave $75,000 to a similar program in 2023. Their mission explicitly includes your focus area, and they operate in the same region. Time required: 4 hours.

See the full version in our sample report.

What's in This Section

  • Priority-ranked list of all foundations in the report
  • Time allocation guide (5 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 16+ hours)
  • Foundation type and deadline for each
  • Contact quick-reference table with names, emails, and phone numbers

What It Means for You

This is your roadmap for the month. It tells you exactly where to spend your time based on how many hours you have available, so you always work on the highest-value opportunities first.

Example from the Report

Priority 1: St. Francis Sailing Foundation | LOI-Ready | Same Bay Area waters; $75K to similar program; April deadline | 4 hours Priority 2: Louie Family Foundation | LOI-Ready | 7 veteran grants in 2023; military preference; 15 miles away | 3 hours

See the full version in our sample report.

2

Understanding Your Foundations

What's in This Section

  • Three foundation categories and what each means
  • What action to take for each type
  • Why "Cultivation" foundations are included (and when to skip them)

What It Means for You

Not all foundations work the same way. Some accept cold applications, others require a relationship first. Knowing the type tells you how to approach each one and set realistic expectations for the timeline.

Example from the Report

LOI-Ready: Foundation accepts unsolicited Letters of Inquiry. If interested, they'll invite a full proposal. Your action: Write and submit LOI this month. Cultivation: Foundation is bank-managed or rarely funds without an existing relationship. Your action: Research staff, identify connections, begin relationship-building.

See the full version in our sample report.

What's in This Section

  • One-row summary for each foundation
  • Typical grant range, foundation type, and time required
  • Ranked by fit and priority

What It Means for You

This table gives you a bird's-eye view of all your opportunities before diving into the details. Use it to quickly compare grant sizes, timelines, and effort required.

Example from the Report

#1 St. Francis Sailing Foundation | $11,000-$75,000 | LOI-Ready | 4 hrs #2 Louie Family Foundation | $5,000-$10,000 | LOI-Ready | 3 hrs #3 Stout Foundation | $5,000-$20,000 | Open Application | 4 hrs

See the full version in our sample report.

What's in This Section

  • "Why This Foundation" narrative with specific evidence
  • Fit Evidence table: what we looked for vs. what we found
  • Funder Snapshot: annual giving, typical grant, geographic focus, giving style, assets
  • How to Apply: submission method, requirements, deadlines
  • Contacts table with names, roles, emails, and phone numbers
  • Potential Connections: shared grantees, network paths, geographic ties
  • Positioning Strategy: exactly how to frame your ask
  • Step-by-step Action Plan with time estimates

What It Means for You

This is the heart of the report. Each profile gives you everything you need to approach a foundation with confidence: why they're a match, how to apply, who to contact, and exactly what to say. No more guessing whether a funder is the right fit.

Example from the Report

Funder Snapshot: Annual Giving $151,000 across 3 grants | Typical Grant $65,000 median ($11K-$75K) | Geographic Focus 100% California | Total Assets $7.7M Positioning: Lead with adaptive sailing for veterans. Reference a comparable program they already fund at $75,000. Emphasize that you operate in the same region, serving a distinct population.

See the full version in our sample report.

This is what your report looks like.

Download the full sample to see funder profiles, grant histories, and positioning strategies.

Download Sample Report
3

Taking Action

What's in This Section

  • Week-by-week breakdown of tasks across all foundations
  • Total monthly time estimate
  • "What You'll Be Waiting On" tracker with expected response times
  • Follow-up dates so nothing falls through the cracks

What It Means for You

Grant seeking requires sustained effort over months. This plan turns your report into a calendar so you know exactly what to do each week and when to follow up. No action items get lost.

Example from the Report

Week 1: Review grants page, identify connections, draft LOI (3 hrs) + Begin second LOI draft (1 hr) Week 2: Finalize and submit both LOIs (3 hrs) Week 3: Make introductory calls to two foundations (1.5 hrs) Week 4: Begin application for June deadline (2.5 hrs)

See the full version in our sample report.

What's in This Section

  • Master contact table: every person, email, and phone number in one place
  • Application summary: type, deadline, and process for each foundation
  • Time and probability summary for prioritizing
  • Typical grant timeline (3-9 months from submission to decision)
  • Data sources and methodology notes

What It Means for You

When you're ready to pick up the phone or send an email, you don't want to dig through 20 pages. This section puts every contact and deadline in one place. The timeline section sets realistic expectations so you know that grant seeking is a marathon, not a sprint.

Example from the Report

Typical Grant Process (3-9 months): Month 1: Research + Submit LOI/Application Months 2-3: Wait for response (6-8 weeks typical) Months 3-4: If invited, write full proposal Months 6-9: Decision received

See the full version in our sample report.

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