Are Grantors Still Accepting Applications in December? Yes and Here's Why You Should Still Apply

Published: December 11, 2025 · By Stephanie Weisinger

It’s December 2025. Your team is deep in year-end campaigns, sending donor thank-yous, maybe even squeezing in a little PTO. Applying for grants might feel like something to push to January.

But here’s the reality: many funders are still open—and actively looking for strong applications to close out their 2025 funding goals.

Yes, grants are still open in December

A lot of nonprofit leaders assume that foundations shut down at the end of the year. In truth, many are doing the exact opposite. They’re reviewing final proposals, filling remaining funding gaps, and making sure their dollars go out the door before their fiscal year ends.

Some grantmakers have rolling deadlines. Others keep applications open until their annual giving budget is fully allocated. And in many cases, they haven’t yet met their grantmaking threshold for 2025.

That means December can be a smart time to apply.

Why grantors are still funding now

• They want to meet their 2025 impact targets. Just like you, funders have goals and timelines. If they still have room in their budget, they’re motivated to fund qualified nonprofits now.

• They’re planning ahead for 2026. Many funders open their first grant cycles in December or early January, aiming to award funds in Q1. Applying now could get you in the first round of 2026 decisions.

• There’s often less competition. Many organizations hit pause this time of year. If you stay active, your proposal could stand out.

The math works in your favor too. With fewer organizations submitting in December, the competition pool shrinks — which means a well-crafted proposal has a better chance of standing out. Funders who still have budget to deploy aren't being more selective in December. They're often more motivated to find qualified applicants before the year closes.

Yes, it’s worth applying, even now

Even if you don’t have capacity for a full proposal, sending a well-crafted Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or getting your 2026 application drafted early sets you up to start strong in the new year.

If you’re not sure where to start, focus on:

• Programs that are active and measurable

• A clear budget tied to specific outcomes

• Funders whose giving priorities match your mission

Even one solid submission this month could turn into funding for the year ahead.

What to Prioritize in a December Application

Speed and quality aren't mutually exclusive — but in December, you need to be strategic. Here's where to focus:

Lead with recent impact. Funders reviewing year-end applications want to see what you accomplished in 2025. Lead with your strongest outcomes, not your plans.

Keep the budget tight and specific. December applications benefit from clear, defensible budgets. Vague requests get deprioritized when funders are making final decisions.

Match your language to the funder's priorities. Even a quick scan of a funder's most recent grants can reveal the language and outcomes they care about most. Tailoring your proposal to that language takes less time than you think — and makes a significant difference.

Submit something over nothing. An imperfect application submitted on time consistently outperforms a perfect application submitted in January. Done is better than ideal.

How to Find Grants Still Open in December

The challenge isn't that December grants don't exist. It's knowing where to look. A few reliable sources:

Foundation websites: Many update their deadlines in real time. A quick check of funders you've applied to before can reveal open cycles you didn't know about.

Community foundation portals: Local community foundations often have rolling deadlines or year-end cycles specifically designed to deploy remaining funds.

Vee's Grant AI: Grant surfaces open opportunities matched to your mission — including December deadlines you might miss on your own. Instead of spending hours searching, Grant does it for you and helps you draft the application once you've identified the right fit.

The window is shorter in December. But the opportunity is real. The organizations that show up consistently — even in the "off" months — are the ones that build the strongest funding pipelines year over year.

Don’t leave money on the table

There are still opportunities on the table in 2025. Some funders are working hard to meet their giving goals. Others are preparing to award early 2026 grants. And your mission deserves to be in the mix.

If you’re unsure which grants are still open—or which ones fit you best—Grant can help.

Grant is Vee’s smart grant matching and writing tool that surfaces funders who are still giving, helps you craft tailored proposals, and gives you a head start on the new year. Whether you're finishing 2025 strong or prepping for 2026, Grant helps you apply with clarity and confidence.

Because it’s not too late. Not even close.