Foundations are, in most cases, tax-exempt bodies of money.
In exchange for this tax-exempt status, a portion of this money must be donated each year. In other words, since they don't contribute to the IRS, these entities are obligated to contribute to society. Though the nearly 38,000 U.S.-based foundations donate over ten billion dollars annually, there is more need for money than there is money to give away. While there probably exists a foundation for every cause, the trick is finding it and then making an effective request. So grant seekers must be smart with their approach, which requires research.