Through data, research, and our collective experience, Candid provides our users with the knowledge they need to make strategic decisions and develop practical solutions to achieve their missions. Our GuideStar searchable database currently includes data on 1.9 million 501c3 entities, making it easier to understand who they are and what they do. Donors can explore organizations and the issues that they want to support, while nonprofit leaders can benchmark their organizations amongst their peers. GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles provide users with the information needed to make smart decisions, build connections, and learn from each other to achieve their missions. Nonprofits can update their profiles at no cost, and are encouraged to fill out key information about governance, programs, population served, and efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We promote thought leadership by producing white papers on various topics including: foundation best practices, technology tools for community foundations, and hidden business opportunities using nonprofit data. We also host monthly webinars to bring relevant information to our users. Candid experts share insights into issues affecting the sector through our research reports. We also share the collective intelligence of the sector through IssueLab which currently contains more than 27,000 reports by nearly 7,000 organizations. Candid provides data and knowledge to the philanthropic field by creating new issue-based web portals known as “Foundation Landscapes” on the topics that matter most to the sector. Through Glasspockets we provide the data, resources, examples, and action steps foundations need to understand the value of transparency, be more open in their own communications, and help shed more light on how private organizations are serving the public good. Candid works closely with organizations around the globe to assist them in collecting and organizing their region’s philanthropy data by sharing what we have learned over the past 60 years about data acquisition and data architecture. Candid’s CF Insights program is the leader in data collection and research for the community foundation field in the U.S. with a reputation for benchmarking and analysis of trends. Through CF Insights, we continue to deliver a high level of service to our members and worked with partners to release groundbreaking research on the need for increased collaboration amongst leaders of community foundations. We also have a number of blogs across our platforms (including the GuideStar blog, GrantSpace blog, GrantCraft blog, GlassPockets blog, Philanthropy News Digest Blog, and more!) that shine a light on relevant topics and trends affecting the sector.

Candid works to ensure that nonprofit information is available whenever and wherever it is needed. We share the information from our Guidestar database, comprising nearly 2.6 million current and historic tax-exempt organizations, including 1.9 million 501(c)(3) entities, with various types of partner organizations, including: 1. Philanthropic Websites and Applications: We power more than 200 philanthropic websites and applications, including Facebook, Volunteer Match, AmazonSmile, CrowdRise, and the Fidelity and Vanguard donor-advised funds. 2. Community Foundations: We support community foundations’ fundraising and engagement efforts through the DonorEdge platform. We have partnered with 20 community foundations—and counting. 3. Grants Management Vendors: GuideStar for Grant Applications (G4G) continues to build momentum with active adoption of the tool by six grants management software vendors and more than 40 foundations. The tool allows nonprofits to auto-populate grant applications with Nonprofit Profile data. It saves nonprofits time, enabling them to focus resources on their missions, allows foundations to improve grantmaking efficiency, and ensures grantmakers have up-to-date information. 4. Grantmaking Organizations: We have developed plug-in products that allow customers to embed our core functionality into their own web pages by inserting code snippets into pages on their websites. GuideStar Local Nonprofit Directory lets grantmaking organizations provide their stakeholders with a nonprofit search limited to the location they serve. GuideStar National allows a partner to embed the full power of GuideStar Premium into its website. Foundation Directory Online (FDO) provides subscribers with access to timely, comprehensive information on U.S. grantmakers and their grants, plus a growing number of foundations located outside of the U.S. FDO contains data on 13.3 million grants and 140,000 grantmakers, and is freely accessible to organizations and community stakeholders at our regional learning centers and more than 400 FIN partners. Foundation Maps contains records on more than 13 million grants, with innovative ways to visualize funding data, and the flexibility and precision to tailor research. This tool helps funders and nonprofits access the data they need to make strategic decisions and strengthen their impact.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people use Candid’s searchable database, Foundation Directory Online (FDO), to find supporters and partners to advance their work. FDO, the world’s most robust source of foundation and grants data, is available for free use at our regional learning centers and at our 400+ Funding Information Network (FIN) partners. FDO currently contains data on more than 13.3 million grants by 140,000 grantmakers. Located at libraries, community foundations, and colleges, our FIN assures public access to our resources across the U.S. and in seven other countries. By making our subscription services accessible at no cost through our network and providing capacity building services online, we ensure that more than 99 percent of the people that use our services do so for free. We also provide free introductory trainings in-person and online to help nonprofit professionals learn the skills they need (such as proposal writing, prospect research, etc.) to find funding, enabling them to sustain their programs in the communities they serve.

Candid operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge about philanthropy at every level, and provided thousands of under-resourced nonprofit organizations with the tools they need to better fulfill their missions. Through GrantSpace we provide easy-to-use self-service tools and resources to help nonprofits worldwide become more viable grant applicants and build strong, sustainable organizations. We also offer trainings and special events in-person and online to build capacity in three core competencies: fundraising, organizational sustainability, and leadership and management. These resources help nonprofits become more viable grant applicants, equipping them to better serve their constituents and tackle critical social issues. GrantCraft combines the collective wisdom of funders worldwide with Candid’s expertise to help funders increase the impact of their funds. GrantCraft delivers the knowledge funders need to be strategic and effective in their work, addressing questions funders face across various strategies and issue areas. We also train nonprofits in-person and online to help them complete their nonprofit profiles and showcase their work. Organizations are empowered to tell their stories and explain their impact through programmatic metrics.