Instrumentl, one of the largest and now popular grant research databases, released a report in September of 2024 identifying where grant money is going the most, according to 2023 data based on analysis of 17,000 grants in their database. To inspire, motivate, and encourage you in your development/fundraising planning journeys, I will share some information here. However, I will provide a link to you that will allow you to connect with the company and subscribe to their continual report releases and newsletters. There, you’ll be able to dig deeper into the report referenced in this blog post. So, let’s dive right in, shall we?
I’m going to get straight into the details, and then wrap-up with the big picture point.
The Data
In the 2023 data, the top 5 focus areas with the higher number of grants available are Education (1,677), Art & Culture (1,474), Human & Social Services (1,218), Health & Medicine (1,107), And Youth Services (1,005). However, the focus areas with the most money available are different; Health Care Access & Delivery($340 million), Health & Medicine ($38 million), and Education ($37 million). Another piece of valuable information is the types of grants that received more funding in 2023. The top three types of grants with the most funding available in 2023 were Project/Program (34.5%), Education & Outreach (24.8%), and General Operating Expenses (9.3%) (followed by Training and Capacity Building (8.3%) and Capital Project (6.1%)).
There’s so much more valuable information in this and other reports by Instrumentl. If you’d like to learn more about where the money went in 2023 and stay abreast on further research as more information will likely be released in 2025 reflecting 2024 data, you can connect with Instrumentl on their website and on LinkedIn.
How can you use the data?
So, what can you do with this information?
First, recognize that whatever work your organization does, its work is likely represented in some area of focus within the report. It may or may not be within the top three or the top five, but funding is available. However, when you know that your area of focus is offering some of the largest amount of grants or the largest amount of funding that can be inspiring and motivating you to really put in a great focus to put in the best effort and take advantage of the opportunities that are available.
On the other hand, if your area of focus has a smaller number of grants available or smaller amount of funding, it is not impossible to receive the money that your organization needs. However, you definitely are looking at more competition and you want to make sure that you stay abreast of all of the information that’s available: finding out who the funders are and staying on top of the deadlines, and as I’ve mentioned in other articles, really put your best foot forward because not every focus area has the same number of grants available and you find that as you research your options can get slim depending on what you’re trying to do and any kind of parameters that the funder has in place. So, we already see that with research.
Then, knowing the numbers really help you to scale and zone in on what advantages you have as an organization and the work that you do. In this case, for 2023, if you are looking for funding for a program or project in the area of healthcare, you’re in a great position as far as having some of the larger range of opportunities than an organization with a focus of Community Development & Revitalization or Environment, which both had less than 800 grants available and less than $25 million available.
Those aren’t bad numbers, it just represents less opportunity than other areas of focus. Another key piece of information that your organization’s researchers could look into is how far and wide is the applicant base? Meaning, what’s the general pool of applicants who could likely be applying for the same funding. All of this speaks to availability, competition, and inspiration to be committed to looking for better ways to craft better compelling proposals.
Again, check out Instrumentl for further research on this and other topics.
If you want professional help...
If you need assistance with grant research, a funding strategy, and/or grant writing, visit The Strategy Huddle to secure a free consultation to talk about your grant writing goals and find out how we can be of the most assistance to your organization.
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