Matching answers a different question from search. Search asks what exists about X. Matching asks what should we go after, given who you are.
Each match comes back with a 0–100 score and a one-line rationale explaining the fit, sorted best-first.
What the score is
A relative ranking of fit between your profile and the opportunity — mission alignment, applicant type, geography, and the other profile fields you have filled in.
What the score is not
It is not a probability of winning. A 90 does not mean a 90% chance. It means this is among the best-aligned things currently open to you.
It is not an eligibility determination. A high score can still sit on a program you are formally ineligible for. Use an eligibility check before investing in an application.
It is not a substitute for reading the notice. The score is derived from the listing text. The authoritative document is the funder’s own announcement.
Matching only recommends open opportunities
Already-awarded projects are never returned as matches. If you want to research what has been funded, that is awarded search, which is a separate mode.
Improving your matches
The profile drives everything, so most match problems are profile problems:
- Vague mission. “Improving community outcomes” matches everything and therefore nothing. Be concrete about what you do and for whom.
- Missing applicant type. This is a hard eligibility gate on a large share of programs.
- Missing geography. Without it, state and local programs cannot be weighted properly.
- Missing certifications if you are a business — these unlock set-aside fit.
You can also bias a run with focus keywords when you want to push matching toward a specific initiative rather than your whole mission.
Subscription
Matching requires an active OpenGrants subscription. If your subscription is inactive you will be pointed to pricing rather than given partial results.