How GrantSift sources its grant data, and why that matters to you
How GrantSift builds its grants and funder database from official sources like Grants.gov and Government of Canada open data, and how to verify it.
With GrantSift now live, one question deserves a direct answer: where does the information come from? In a space full of outdated lists and misleading ads, knowing the source of grant information is the difference between a useful lead and a wasted afternoon. Here is how we approach it.
Official public sources first
GrantSift is built from official public sources. Two of the most important are:
Grants.gov (United States). Grants.gov is the US federal government's central place to find and apply for federal grants. Federal grant-making agencies post funding opportunities there, and Grants.gov explains the agencies that make grants and who is eligible.
Government of Canada open data and program pages. The Government of Canada publishes information about programs through open data and official department pages. The Business Benefits Finder is another official tool that helps businesses find federal and provincial programs.
We also draw on official program pages from federal agencies, departments, regional development agencies and other public bodies.
Why we link every listing to its source
Funding programs change. Budgets are renewed or cut, intakes open and close, eligibility rules are revised. No database, ours included, can replace the official page at the moment you apply. That is why every GrantSift listing links back to its source.
Our job is to help you find and shortlist the right opportunities quickly. The funder's job is to set the rules. Your final check is always on the official page.
How we organize the data
Raw public data comes in many formats. Agencies describe the same idea in different ways. To make it searchable, we organize listings by:
- Country, so you can browse the US or Canada.
- Region, such as Canadian provinces and territories.
- Sector, such as business, research, agriculture, arts, health and community.
- Funder type, such as federal agencies, regional agencies and foundations.
- Award size, where the information is available.
- Deadline month, where a deadline is published.
We also maintain a funder directory so you can see opportunities in the context of the organizations behind them.
What we do not do
- We do not invent data. If an amount or deadline is not published, we do not guess.
- We do not guarantee outcomes. Funders make decisions.
- We do not take fees to "get" you grants. If anyone asks for a fee to release a grant, it is a scam. See avoiding government grant scams.
- We do not sell your search activity to funders.
How to verify a listing in two minutes
- Open the official link from the GrantSift listing.
- Check the domain. In the US, federal sites end in .gov. In Canada, federal sites are typically on canada.ca or a gc.ca domain, and other official bodies have their own domains.
- Find the status. Is the program open, closed or upcoming?
- Read eligibility. Organization type, location, size and project type.
- Confirm the deadline and its time zone.
- Download the current guide or notice and read it in full before applying.
Why this matters for your application
Applications built on outdated information get rejected for avoidable reasons: a program that closed, a changed deadline, a new eligibility rule. Starting from official sources and checking them before you apply protects your time and your credibility with funders.
Our blog follows the same rule
Our blog guides cite and link official sources such as Grants.gov, SBA.gov, canada.ca, studentaid.gov and agency pages. When we state an amount or eligibility rule, it comes from an official page we link to. If something changes, the official page wins.
Frequently asked questions
How current is GrantSift's data? We update from official sources on an ongoing basis. Program details can change at any time, so always confirm on the official page.
Why might a listing be missing an amount or deadline? Some programs do not publish a fixed amount or have rolling intakes. We do not fill gaps with guesses.
Can I suggest a source? Yes. If you know an official funding source we should cover, tell us.
Trustworthy funding research starts with official sources. That is the foundation GrantSift is built on, and it is why every listing leads you back to the source.
How we keep GrantSift trustworthy
A funding database is only useful if you can trust it, so we hold ourselves to a few simple rules.
- Every listing points to its source. We link to the official funder page so you can check eligibility, amounts and deadlines yourself before you apply.
- Official sources first. We build from public sources such as Grants.gov and Government of Canada open data rather than copying third-party lists.
- No promises we cannot keep. We never guarantee that you will receive funding, and we never charge a fee to receive a grant. Funders make their own decisions.
- Plain language. Our guides explain programs in everyday words and link to the official rules for the details.
- Your search stays yours. Searching GrantSift does not send your details to funders.
If you ever spot an outdated detail or a broken link, tell us and we will fix it. Program terms change often, and the official page is always the final word.
Your first 20 minutes on GrantSift
- Write one sentence about your project: what you will do, where, and roughly what it costs.
- Pick your country and region, then the sector that best describes the work.
- Scan eligibility first. Skip anything your organization type cannot apply to.
- Save three to five programs that fit closely, and open each official page.
- Note the deadlines and any registrations you will need, then add them to your calendar.
- Contact one program officer with a short, specific question.
That short routine turns a vague search into a working shortlist you can act on this week.
Come back each month, because new opportunities open and old ones close throughout the year. A regular check, even fifteen minutes, keeps your pipeline full and stops a good deadline from slipping past unnoticed.
Keep exploring on GrantSift
Find the programs that fit you
Official program pages are the source of truth, but finding them is the slow part. GrantSift pulls grants and funders from official sources such as Grants.gov and Government of Canada open data into one searchable database covering the US and Canada across every sector. Each listing links back to the official page, and paid plans unlock funder contacts, deadlines you can track, and filters that match programs to your business or organization. Search grants on GrantSift or see plans and pricing.