Free, plain-English guides on finding grants you can actually win and writing applications that get funded — plus how Shinnslist automates the repetitive parts so you only do the parts that need you.
The three funder types, where they list opportunities, and how to screen for hard eligibility before you write a word.
The seven-part structure funders actually score — need statement, measurable goals, budget, capacity, and sustainability.
Federal (Grants.gov), state, county, and city programs. Most competitive; heavy reporting. Often the largest dollar amounts.
Private and family foundations. More targeted missions, lighter paperwork, and quicker decisions than federal grants.
Company giving programs and small-business funds. Often tied to local communities, industries, or diversity goals.
Start from hard eligibility rules, not a keyword search: entity type, location, ownership, revenue, and the funder's allowed uses. Then screen every opportunity against those rules before writing anything. Shinnslist runs those rules against your applicant profile and returns only verified matches you can win.
Mostly no. The federal government directs most grant dollars to nonprofits, universities, and research, and the SBA primarily guarantees loans rather than making direct grants to most small businesses. Small-business grants are far more common from states, counties, corporations, and private foundations.
A grant is money you do not repay, but it is competitive, restricted to the uses the funder defines, and usually requires reporting. A loan is repaid with interest but gives you more flexibility. Grants are worth pursuing when your project matches the funder's goals.
No. Legitimate grant programs are free to apply to. An "application fee" or a promise of a grant in exchange for payment is a red flag, and it is one of the signals Shinnslist uses to remove questionable opportunities from its verified queue.
From a few hours to several weeks, depending on the funder and the size of the ask. Most of the time goes to gathering facts, writing the need statement, and building the budget — which is why a reusable applicant profile that pre-fills those sections saves so much time.