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Grant-Readiness Assessment

Grant reviewers don't fund the organization that needs money most — they fund the one most likely to deliver and survive. This free 12-question scorecard checks the six foundations funders actually screen for: legal structure, governance, program design, outcomes, financial health, and revenue diversification. Answer each as yes, partial, or no, and you'll get an instant readiness percentage, a band, a per-category breakdown, and tailored next steps. It all runs in your browser — nothing you select is saved or sent anywhere.
0 of 12 answered

Private by design: this runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you select is stored, saved, or sent anywhere.


0%
Readiness score
0 / 24
Points (yes=2, partial=1, no=0)

Category breakdown

CategoryScore 

Your tailored next steps

    How the score works

    Each question scores yes = 2, partial = 1, no = 0, for a maximum of 24 points (2 questions × 6 categories). Your percentage is points ÷ 24. Bands: 0–49% Foundation-building · 50–74% Developing · 75–89% Grant-ready · 90–100% Highly competitive. These are directional estimates to guide your prep, not a prediction of any specific funder's decision.

    The category most orgs lose points on

    Revenue diversification is where small nonprofits score lowest — and the fastest fix is a passive base

    Most capable organizations check every box except recurring, unrestricted income. That's exactly the durability funders reward in a sustainability section. Good Circles gives your nonprofit a recurring base with almost no staff time: supporters pick your cause once, then a share of their everyday local spending funds you automatically — conservatively about $72 per active supporter per year (≈ $36,000/year from 500 supporters), free to join. It directly raises your weakest category. Figures are estimates, not guarantees.

    Claim a Founding Nonprofit spot →
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    FAQ

    What is a grant-readiness assessment?

    It's a structured self-check of whether your nonprofit has the legal, governance, program, outcome, financial, and revenue foundations funders look for before they award a grant. This tool scores 12 questions across six categories and returns a percentage, a readiness band, and tailored next steps.

    What score means I'm ready to apply for grants?

    As a rough guide: 75% and above means you're grant-ready and can apply with confidence; 90%+ means you're highly competitive. Below 75% you can still apply to the right funders, but closing the gaps first will materially improve your odds. Treat the band as a directional estimate, not a guarantee.

    Is my data saved or sent anywhere?

    No. The entire assessment runs in your browser with plain JavaScript. Nothing you select is stored, saved, or transmitted — reload the page and it's gone. There is no account, no tracking, and no submission.

    Which category do most small nonprofits score lowest on?

    Revenue diversification. Many capable organizations rely on one or two restricted sources and have little recurring, unrestricted income — which is exactly the durability funders reward in a sustainability section. Building a passive recurring base is one of the fastest ways to raise that score.