Comparison
Grantable vs Candid
Candid (formerly GuideStar and Foundation Center) is a nonprofit data provider and funder research tool. Grantable is an AI-native grant platform that combines funder intelligence with AI-powered writing and full lifecycle management. Here's how they compare.
Research + action in one place
Candid helps you research funders. Grantable helps you research funders and write proposals to them — with AI that knows the funder's giving history when it drafts your narrative.
AI-powered funder matching
Instead of keyword searches, Grantable's AI analyzes your mission, programs, and budget to surface funders whose giving patterns match your work — and explains why each one is a fit.
More features, lower price
Candid Search starts at $100/month for a research database. Grantable starts free and includes funder research, AI writing, and grant management — replacing multiple tools with one platform.
Feature comparison
A side-by-side look at what each platform offers grant seekers.
| Feature | Grantable | Candid |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation profiles | 190,000+ US foundations with 990 data | 140,000+ grantmaker profiles |
| Funder search | AI-powered matching to your mission | Keyword & filter search |
| 990 financial data | Parsed & searchable, AI-summarized | 990 PDFs & financial summaries |
| Grant history | Historical grants with recipient details | Grant listings with amounts & recipients |
| AI grant writing | Full AI workspace with org memory | Not available |
| Proposal editor | Built-in editor with inline AI | Not available |
| RFP analysis | AI extracts requirements & checklists | Not available |
| Content library | Reusable boilerplate & past proposals | Not available |
| Organizational memory | AI remembers your org across sessions | Not available |
| Pipeline management | Calendar, deadlines, task tracking | Not available |
| Team collaboration | Roles, permissions, comments | Multi-seat access available |
| Starting price | Free (paid from $50/mo) | $100/month (Candid Search) |
Which tool is right for you?
Choose Grantable if you need:
- Funder research and grant writing in a single platform
- AI that matches funders to your mission automatically
- A proposal writing workspace with organizational memory
- Grant pipeline management and deadline tracking
- Affordable pricing with a free tier to start
- A tool that replaces Candid, ChatGPT, and project management
Consider Candid if you need:
- Deep nonprofit sector data beyond grant seeking (GuideStar profiles, sector reports)
- Candid's specific nonprofit verification and Seal of Transparency
- Academic or policy research on the philanthropic sector
- A data provider primarily, not a grant writing tool
Switching from Candid or GuideStar?
If you've been using Candid's Foundation Directory Online, GuideStar, or Foundation Center for funder research, you already know how to look up funders. Grantable gives you the same foundation profiles and 990 data — plus AI that turns that research into action.
What stays the same
- Search foundations by name, location, giving area, or asset size
- View 990 financial data, grant histories, and key contacts
- Research a funder's giving patterns before approaching them
What you gain
- AI recommends funders based on your mission — not just keywords
- Write proposals inside the same platform where you research
- AI remembers your org and gets better with every proposal
- Manage your entire grant pipeline from discovery to funded
Try Grantable free
Start finding funders and writing proposals today. No credit card required.