General Foundation Information and Directories:

• Regional Foundation Center of the Free Library of Philadelphia

  http://www.library.phila.gov/rfc/rfcabout.htm
  

  Affiliate of The Foundation Center in New York since 1974, located on the 2nd floor of the Central Library in the Social Science & History-Department. The Regional Foundation Center of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s mission is to maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive research collection; provide free and open access to all materials and resources; and encourage and promote acceptable standards for grantsmanship. Full-time staff members assist patrons using the collection, which consists of: thousands of books, journals, and pamphlets; annual reports and IRS returns (forms 990PF) from local foundations; clipping files on important fundraising topics; electronic databases and internet access to nonprofit information; and more. Free orientations occur on selected Tuesdays and Saturdays. Phone: (215) 686-5423.

• The Foundation Center

  http://www.fdncenter.org/
  

  Since 1956, the Foundation Center has helped thousands of grantseekers find information about grantmakers and their funding interests. Whether you’re looking for information on foundations or want to learn something about the grantseeking process, the Foundation Center can help you.

• Directory of Pennsylvania Foundations

  Seventh Edition Updated in 2002, the 7th edition of Pennsylvania “foundation bible” profiles over 1,600 foundations in the state with assets of $250,000 or more and who award at least $10,000 in discretionary grants per year. Each profile contains a list of individual grants, financial data, contact information, and application guidelines (if established). To order, contact Triadvocates Press at (215) 544-6927 or e-mail: DirPaFdns@aol.com. *Watch for the online version of the Directory coming in 2004.

• The Foundation Directory Online

  http://fconline.fdncenter.org
  

  An extensive and searchable database complied by the Foundation Center that profiles over 70,000 foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities, and the lists names of over 285,000 trustees, officers and donors. A separate file of over 150,000 grants is included. See the Foundation Center’s website for numerous other funding directories, including “Foundation Grants to Individuals”, “The Foundation 1000”, and "The National Directory of Corporate Giving."

Grantseeker Information

• GuideStar

  http://www.guidestar.org
  

  GuideStar’s searchable database contains entries for more than 80,000 U.S. nonprofit organizations. Visit Guidestar’s Donor Resources. The site offers information on how to research nonprofits and evaluate potential grantees, including a section on Measuring an Organization’s Financial Health.

Technology Services for Grantseekers

• Npower

  http://www.npower.org
  

  Based in Seattle, NPower was created to help nonprofits use technology to meet the forces of change that are transforming the nonprofit sector and to better serve their communities.

• NpowerPA

  http://www.npowerpa.org
  

  As a member of the national network of NPower organizations, the Philadelphia–based NPowerPA will provide technology training and consulting services to regional nonprofit organizations.

• Tech Soup

  http://www.techsoup.org/index.cfm
  

  Powered by CompuMentor, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit technology assistance agencies, TechSoup.org offers nonprofits one–stop shopping for their technology needs. Offers informative articles and advice geared toward small to medium–sized nonprofit organizations.

• United Way of Southeastern PA’s Teaming for Technology

  http://www.uwsepa.org/team4tech/index.htm
  

  Teaming for Technology provides a wide array of technology assistance to nonprofits in the community to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery through the strategic use of technology.

Associations for Foundations

• Delaware Valley Grantmakers

  http://www.dvg.org
  

  Delaware Valley Grantmakers is a membership association that serves as a voice and resource for grantmakers who give in greater Philadelphia and neighboring regions. DVG’s mission is to promote and enhance regional philanthropy by providing members with opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and professional development that add critical value to their work. DVG also works to inform legislators, media and the broader community about the role and value of philanthropy and serves as an information resource for new givers. Membership in DVG is open to individuals and institutions for whom grantmaking is a significant activity.

• The Association of Small Foundations

  http://www.smallfoundations.org
  

  Foundations with few or no staff provide half of the total foundation funding in the U.S., giving essential financial support to hospitals, libraries, youth programs, senior programs, education, historic preservation, the arts, social services, and other important activities in thousands of communities across the country. ASF is committed to building and strengthening small foundation philanthropy by providing quality programs, products and services to foundations with few or no staff.

• The Council on Foundations

  http://www.cof.org
  

  The Council on Foundations is a membership organization of more than 2,000 grantmaking foundations and giving programs worldwide. They provide leadership expertise, legal services and networking opportunities-among other services-to our members and to the general public.

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