Grant Research Software
Grant Research Software That Explains Every Match
Grant research software is supposed to save you time. Most tools drop you into long lists with no signal about which funders are worth a closer look. CIFIS works differently. Every funder profile, match, and recommendation comes with an explanation rooted in source data. Research time turns into qualified prospects instead of more tabs to sort.
What makes grant research software actually useful
Useful grant research software has to combine three things most tools keep apart: a verified funder catalog, a live opportunity feed, and a way to check whether your organization is a real match. CIFIS does all three in one workspace. You can move from a broad question, like "who funds early-childhood education in the Southeast?", to a short list of ready-to-pursue funders with documented giving history. No tab juggling required.
- Funder, opportunity, and readiness data in one place
- Explainable matching with cited sources
- Multi-organization workspaces for consultants
- Saved pipelines, notes, and decision history
- An assistant that answers questions in plain language
Built for nonprofits, grant writers, and fundraising consultants
Development teams use CIFIS to replace bookmarked spreadsheets with a workflow their board can audit. Grant writers run prospect research across many clients from one account. Fundraising consultants build ready-to-share briefs without pulling 990 data by hand. Community foundations use it to coach grantees and find peer funders. The software fits the way fundraising teams already work.
How CIFIS handles the slow parts of research
Prospect researchers spend most of their time on tasks that should be automated: pulling 990 history, fixing classifications, checking that a funder still exists, and confirming geography. CIFIS handles all of this in the background. The funder catalog is matched against the IRS Business Master File. Giving history comes from 990 filings. Geography is checked against your service area. You get a short, qualified list instead of a wall of names.
Ask CIFIS: an assistant grounded in real data
Every record in CIFIS is available through Ask CIFIS, a read-only research assistant. Ask why a funder showed up in your matches. Ask why an opportunity is closing soon. Ask what you would need to strengthen for a specific program. Every answer cites the records it used. Ask CIFIS does not invent funders, does not write proposals, and does not guess.
Frequently asked questions
What does CIFIS grant research software include?
A verified funder catalog, a live opportunity feed, readiness scoring, funder fit scoring, a saved pipeline, and an explainable research assistant, all in one workspace.
Is it a fit for small nonprofits?
Yes. The platform works without a dedicated prospect researcher. Smaller organizations use CIFIS for the same workflows that would otherwise need a consultant.
Can grant writers manage multiple client organizations?
Yes. CIFIS supports multi-organization workspaces, so consultants can run research for each client engagement on its own.
Does CIFIS write proposals?
No. CIFIS is read-only research and intelligence. It explains funders, scores readiness, and surfaces opportunities. Writing stays with the people who know your organization best.
How does CIFIS verify funder data?
Funder records are matched to the IRS Exempt Organization Business Master File, enriched from 990 filings, and timestamped so you can see when a record was last checked.
Can I check readiness before applying?
Yes. The CAPS readiness score rates your organization on mission alignment, financial stewardship, impact, governance, documentation, and compliance.
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.