Foundation Directory
Foundation Directory: Search Thousands of Verified Grantmakers
A foundation directory is only useful if the data is real. CIFIS builds its directory straight from the IRS Business Master File and 990 filings. We add classification, geography, and giving signals on top. The result is a grantmaker database that nonprofits, community foundations, consultants, and researchers can trust for funder discovery, due diligence, and peer benchmarks.
What the CIFIS foundation directory covers
The directory covers private, community, corporate, family, and operating foundations across all fifty states. Each record includes the EIN, NTEE code, home state, asset size, recent giving level, and grant history when 990 data allows. Records are tagged for community foundation status, operating model, and partnership readiness. You can filter by what actually matters for matching.
- Private, community, corporate, and family foundations
- IRS EIN, NTEE code, and ruling date
- Home state and giving geography
- Asset class, recent giving level, and 990 history
- Community foundation, MDI, and CDFI flags where they apply
How foundation research works in CIFIS
Open the directory and filter by state, sector, asset class, or NTEE code. Click any foundation to open a profile. You will see funding history, recent grant patterns, geographic fit with your service area, and a Strategic Partner Score that explains how strong a match they are. Every claim cites its source: the 990 filing, the BMF, or a curated CIFIS tag. Research can be audited and shared with a board or program team.
Built for the people who do foundation research
Development directors use the directory to build prospect lists in an afternoon, not a week. Grant writers use it to qualify funders before recommending them. Community foundation staff use it to benchmark peers in their region. Advisors and consultants use it to map the funder ecosystem around an issue, place, or community. One dataset powers every workflow. There is no separate consultant tier or premium record set.
- Development directors and chief advancement officers
- Grant writers and prospect researchers
- Community foundation staff and board members
- Philanthropic advisors and family office staff
- Researchers studying the foundation sector
Verified data, clear sources
Every record carries a verification timestamp and a source citation. When the IRS publishes a new BMF update, CIFIS reconciles the changes and flags any records that moved status. When a 990 filing is updated, giving history refreshes. When a record is missing data, we mark it instead of guessing. You always know how fresh the data is and where it came from.
Frequently asked questions
How many foundations are in the CIFIS directory?
The directory includes thousands of IRS-verified foundations across all fifty states. New records are added as IRS sources update.
Does the directory include community foundations?
Yes. Community foundations are first-class records with their own flags and a separate browse path for users focused on community giving.
Can I search by funding priority or program area?
Yes. Records carry NTEE codes and curated sector tags, so you can filter by health, housing, education, workforce, arts, and other program areas.
How is this different from a static foundation directory?
Static directories rely on yearly snapshots and manual updates. CIFIS reconciles its directory against IRS sources on a clear schedule and shows a verification timestamp on every record.
Do I get foundation profile pages?
Yes. Every foundation has a profile with funding history, giving patterns, geographic fit, and a Strategic Partner Score for your organization.
Can consultants use the directory across clients?
Yes. CIFIS supports multi-org workflows, so consultants can run foundation research and prospect lists for each client.
See CIFIS for your organization
CIFIS is the funding intelligence platform connecting nonprofits, community foundations, CDFIs, and consultants to grants, funders, and verified opportunities, with explainable matching and readiness scoring.