Funds Online and the closure of the Directory of Social Change: a guide for subscribers
Prices and features last checked on 30 October 2026. Providers change their plans, so please check the linked sources before you decide.
On 14 October 2026 the Directory of Social Change (DSC) announced that it is closing after more than 50 years [1]. DSC has supported a huge number of charities and community groups through its guides, training and Funds Online, and many fundraisers will feel this loss.
This page is a practical guide for Funds Online subscribers. It sets out what DSC has said, what you might want to save while you can, and a range of other tools, free and paid, that can help with funding research.
What DSC has said
DSC has appointed an insolvency practitioner to manage its closure. It says Funds Online will remain working for existing subscribers during this time, and that enquiries should go to cs@dsc.org.uk [1]. Please read DSC's own announcement for the latest position.
Practical steps for subscribers
- Make a note of the funders you have saved and any application history you keep in your Funds Online dashboard, in a spreadsheet or document you control.
- List upcoming deadlines and reporting dates so nothing is missed if access changes.
- Keep a copy of any funder research notes you rely on for current bids.
- Check DSC's announcement from time to time for updates [1].
- Before you choose a replacement, think about what you used most: trust research, open grant rounds, or tracking applications. Different tools are strong at different things.
Other tools to consider
All prices below are as published on 30 October 2026. No single tool replaces everything Funds Online did, and many fundraisers use two together.
| Tool | Good for | Price (as published) |
|---|---|---|
| 360Giving GrantNav | Researching past grants by UK funders | Free [2] |
| Charity Excellence | Free funding finder, policies and AI bid writer for UK charities and qualifying non-profits (not private companies or sole traders) [9] | Free [3] |
| GOV.UK Find a Grant | Government grants | Free [4] |
| OpenGrant | Open grant rounds plus research on 49,000+ grant-making trusts | Free account, or £29 a month per email [5] |
| GrantFinder (Idox) | A large researched database with team plans and training | From £1,020 a year [6] |
| My Funding Central (Idox) | Smaller voluntary groups in England under £1m | £100 to £750 + VAT a year by income (reported by a third party) [7] |
| GrantMatch | Matching open grants to your organisation, eligibility checks and help preparing applications | Free, plus Premium at £19.99 a month (14-day trial, no card) [8] |
Where GrantMatch fits
GrantMatch focuses on open grant rounds you can apply to now, matched to your organisation, with eligibility checks and help planning and drafting applications. It is not a replacement for Funds Online's detailed trust profiles. For that kind of research, GrantNav and OpenGrant are worth a look.
GrantMatch has a Free plan and Premium at £19.99 a month. New accounts get a 14-day Premium trial with no card needed, and become Free afterwards unless they choose to subscribe.
Try GrantMatch
Search current UK grants free, no account needed. New accounts get 14 days of Premium with no card, then Free unless you choose to subscribe.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Funds Online still working?
- DSC said on 14 October 2026 that Funds Online will remain working for existing subscribers while its closure is managed. Check DSC's announcement for the latest position.
- Who do I contact about my Funds Online subscription?
- DSC says enquiries should go to cs@dsc.org.uk, and that it may not be able to reply quickly.
- Is there a free alternative to Funds Online?
- 360Giving GrantNav, Charity Excellence and GOV.UK Find a Grant are free. OpenGrant and GrantMatch both have free plans.
Sources
All checked on 30 October 2026. Numbers in square brackets refer to this list.
More comparisons
Funds Online is a trade mark of the Directory of Social Change. Other names are trade marks of their owners and are used only to describe the services. GrantMatch is not affiliated with any of them.