Grants to Individuals’ — A Hidden Gem Worth the Effort

Introduction

When most people think about grants, they think of organizations or nonprofits. But did you know there are grant opportunities available specifically for individuals? That’s where the resource titled “Grants to Individuals” becomes really interesting—it’s a curated source listing grant‑makers who support individual applicants (artists, students, researchers, etc.).

What is the Resource?

The “Grants to Individuals” resource is a database (or listing service) of funders and programs that award money to individuals rather than just organizations. While many of the big research and nonprofit‑funding tools focus on organizations, this one flips the lens to you—as an individual applicant.

Why It’s Worth Your Time

• It opens doors to funding you might not otherwise know existed (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, emergency aid, project funding for individuals).

• Though not always easy to access (sometimes behind subscriptions or library portals), the value can outweigh the effort.

• For someone working solo—an artist, a scholar, an innovator—this database can be the hidden resource.

What You Can Expect to Find

Here are some typical categories of individual‑grant opportunities you might locate:

• Fellowships / scholarships for individuals

• Research/travel grants for an individual researcher

• Emergency or hardship grants for individuals

• Project grants for individual artists or makers

• Professional‑development or career‑advancement grants for individuals

Tips for Using It Effectively

Here are actionable tips you can implement (and maybe you can create a Wix “tip box” or visual highlight):

1. Start at a library or access portal – Many public or university libraries provide free access to these databases (even if you personally don’t have the subscription).

2. Refine your search – Use keywords, filters for “individual” eligibility, specific fields like “arts”, “research”, “travel”, etc.

3. Track deadlines & set alerts – Since many of these opportunities have rolling or fixed deadlines, set calendar reminders.

4. Read the funder’s guidelines carefully – Individual‑grant funders may have different rules than organizational ones: e.g., what qualifies as “project costs”, whether personal expenses are allowed, whether you must be a citizen/resident, whether matching funds are required.

5. Prepare your materials with intention – Even though you’re applying as an individual, the same standards apply: clear narrative, budget, impact statement, timeline. Consider preparing a one‑page summary of your purpose and how you’ll use the funds.

6. Follow up & stay organized – Keep a tracker of which grants you’ve applied for, what materials you submitted, outcomes, feedback.

Final Thought

It may take extra effort—navigating library portals, learning database search syntax, filtering for individuals—but for anyone who is working solo (artist, student, researcher, inventor) this “Grants to Individuals” resource can really pay off. Don’t overlook it. And once you’ve accessed it once, set aside regular time (say once per month) to check new opportunities.