Nonprofit Resource Center

2012-01-18T09:26:00.003-05:00

Charting Impact enables your organization to serve your community better. It sharpens your thinking about your work, and it creates a concise, standardized report about your plans and progress that you can share with people looking to invest their money, time, and attention.

Fundraising Effectiveness

2012-01-11T15:39:00.003-05:00

Why should you invest in training for your staff when nonprofit budgets are tighter than ever and barely making ends meet?

Learn how training can really pay off when it comes to the business of seeking grants.

Sign up to download a copy of
"The Importance of Training in Fundraising Effectiveness—and How to Get Started", a recently released Foundation Center whitepaper.

See additional information about Foundation Fundraising and Fundraising Planning on Grantspace.org

2012-01-11T10:36:00.002-05:00

The Philanthropy News Digest publishes RFPs and notices of awards as a free service for grant-making organizations and nonprofits.

Sign up here to receive PND e-newsletters including the weekly RFP Bulletin.

2012-01-03T17:28:00.003-05:00

2012 may be another rocky year for fundraising. In GuideStar's new report, "Your Fundraising Calendar for 2012," fundraising consultant Gail Perry presents a month-by-month plan to help nonprofits get the most out of their fundraising efforts next year.

Perry breaks fundraising down into manageable chunks—major donors, social media, messaging, events, board retreats, Web sites, planned giving, and more—addressing one per month. Nonprofits that follow her advice will build a comprehensive fundraising strategy that will help them weather economic storms not only in 2012 but in years to come.

Complete this form to download your free copy of the report.

Gail Perry is the author of Fired Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion into Action .

Borrow this and many other useful fundraising books from the
Nonprofit Resource Center collection.

Network for Good

2011-12-22T16:23:00.002-05:00

According to a recent post from Network for Good the magical 48 hours of December giving are still to come:

22 percent of giving for the year occurs on December 30 and 31.

Don't miss the opportunity to put your organization on the map and raise more money ONLINE this holiday season.

Call (240) 223-2651 to get started now and bring in as many fundraising dollars as possible during these last two weeks of the year.

Best,

Charles Ball, Fundraising Consultant
Network for Good
(240) 223-2651
charles.ball@networkforgood.org

2011-12-16T16:55:00.002-05:00

Nonprofit Data Quality: maintaining good data in a not for profit environment
by Edward and Timothy Kachinski

2011-12-08T11:06:00.003-05:00

Whatever your technology needs are, start with the Chronicle of Philanthropy Technology Guide
to locate companies by their specialties - such as Web Development, Online Fundraising, Planned Giving Software and much more!

2011-12-02T10:45:00.003-05:00

Creativity to Community: arts nonprofit success one coffee at a time
by Matthew Hinsley

Sign up for the Nonprofit Newsletter to receive periodic email alerts when new books are added to the Nonprofit Resource Center collection.

We welcome purchase suggestions too!
Send email to reference@onlib.org. Be sure to put Nonprofit Resource Center in the subject line.

2011-11-29T16:02:00.004-05:00

Nonprofit Marketing Guide: high-impact, low-cost ways to build support for your good cause
By Kivi Leroux Miller
Check out this new title or others from the Jossey-Bass Nonprofit series.

Visit the Nonprofit Resource Center to browse the collection or place your hold requests through the online catalog for easy pick up at your local library.

2011-11-21T16:44:00.007-05:00

How Good Board Members Become Great Fundraisers: overcoming the 7 critical challenges volunteers face
by Bill Young

Running QuickBooks in Nonprofits 2nd edition updated and expanded
by Kathy Ivens

365 Ways to Raise Funds for yoru Nonprofit
by April R. Jervis

How to Raise Money without Asking for Money

2011-11-04T15:48:00.001-04:00

Visit Guidestar to read the details of how your organization can use these eight ways to ask supporters to raise money without writing a check:
1.Shop online
2.Recycle electronics
3.Redeem credit card points
4.Search the Internet
5.Meet someone for a drink
6.Donate airline and hotel miles
7.Dine Out
8.Volunteer

Online Education Sessions

2011-10-24T09:29:00.002-04:00

Webinars are scheduled to begin at 2 PM Eastern Time and run for 90 minutes.
Fee: $89 per person or $150.00 per site.

Writing Federal Grants
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Alice Ruhnke will talk about how to identify federal grant opportunities, and she'll outline the major elements of grant applications required by most federal agencies. Resources to help your organization through the government grant seeking process will also be discussed. This webinar will be held and is for intermediate participants.

How to Mobilize Your Board to Raise Funds (NEW)
Thursday, October 27, 2011

Judith Margolin will discuss methods for motivating board members to become more involved and comfortable with the grantseeking process. Topics covered include the following: who should and should not be on the board, what policies and structures need to be in place to facilitate fundraising, how to achieve a state of grantseeking readiness, and how to develop an action plan to move toward a more fully engaged board. Specific attention is paid to the various roles board members can and should play vis a vis an organization's prospects and funders.

Designing Surveys That Produce Useful Results
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
If surveys are not designed and administered properly, they can generate worthless information and waste your time and money. Learn when to use a survey (and when not to), how to write relevant questions, how to get good responses, and how to make results useful. Participants will also receive a ten-page survey development guide and several samples of well-designed surveys. For beginning and intermediate participants.

Customizing Your Grant Proposal to Meet Funders' Needs
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Judith Margolin provides specific advice on tailoring grant requests to meet funders' needs while referring to real-life grant proposals as examples.
Many nonprofits have one standard proposal that they mass mail to potential funders. This is a mistake since it is critical to customize each grant proposal so that it matches the funder's own criteria as closely as possible. With so much information available today on exactly what funders are looking for, and with competition as steep as it is now, it is essential to go the extra mile to make each proposal special.

The Fundamentals of Conducting Focus Groups
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Focus groups are an excellent strategy for collecting in-depth, meaningful information. Susan Eliot will discuss when to use a focus group, how to design good questions, how to recruit and screen participants, how many participants and groups are needed, what to look for in a facilitator, what type of incentives to provide, how to analyze findings, and how to structure the report. Participants will receive samples of the following: question guide, recruitment flyer, participant tracking form, scheduling matrix, consent form, data analysis sheet, and focus group reports. A 15-page do-it-yourself guide to conducting focus groups will also be provided. This course is designed for those with minimum knowledge about conducting focus groups.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming Online Education Sessions.

Visualize Philanthropy's Impact on the Arts

2011-10-20T11:26:00.001-04:00

During October 2011 only, you can register for free use of Philanthropy In/Sight®: Arts, a custom edition of our interactive mapping tool. By tapping into the Foundation Center's vast database of information on grantmakers and grants and providing the ability to overlay to a diverse array of demographic, socio-economic, and other data, Philanthropy In/Sight: Arts enables you to gather the intelligence you need to craft compelling grant proposals and visualize philanthropy's impact on the arts.

Register through the Foundation Center for free use through October 31, 2011.

Free access to Philanthropy In/Sight is available anytime at the Nonprofit Resource Center .

2011-10-05T14:14:00.004-04:00

New to the collection - check it out!
Collaborative Grantseeking: a guide to designing projects, leading partners, and persuading sponsors
by Jeremy T. Miner, Lynn Miner and Jerry Griffth

2011-09-29T11:39:00.002-04:00

Visit the Nonprofit Resource Center to check out books!
The artist's guide to grant writing : how to find funds and write foolproof proposals for the visual, literary, and performing artist / Gigi Rosenberg

Shaking the money tree : the art of getting grants and donations for film and video projects / Morrie Warshawski

The savvy musician : building a career, earning a living & making a difference / David Cutler

The business of being an artist / Daniel Grant

Attend Foundation Center webinars!
Grantspace.org Training Calendar

Watch Foundation Center Podcasts and Read Reports!
Focus on the Arts Month

Check out these new books!

2011-09-22T12:07:00.002-04:00

Social Media for Social Good- a how to for nonprofits
By Heather Mansfield

Do More Than Give: the six practices of donors who change the world
By Leslie Critchfield

Give $mart: philanthropy that gets results
By Thomas Tierney

The Philanthropy of George Soros: building open societies
By Chuck Sudetic

The Future of Nonprofits: innovate and thrive in the digital age
By David Neff

2011-09-12T11:50:00.000-04:00

Nonprofits Live - Accessible and Assistive Technologies
Wednesday September 14, 2:00 PM

Technology has greatly increased the ease with which we can access news and services and serve others. However, if we are truly intent on using technology to serve and help others we cannot forget to make sure tools we use, whether they are websites or apps, are accessible to all.

If you want to make sure your organization is doing its utmost to employ accessible technology, attend this free Tech Soup session.

2011-09-08T15:32:00.001-04:00

GrantStation Online webinars

Got a Grant – Now What?
Thursday September 15, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Writing Federal Grants
Wednesday September 21, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Attracting Funding for Your Technology Needs [ NEW ]
Thursday September 22, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Developing a Powerful Evaluation Plan [ NEW ]
Tuesday September 27, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

How to Develop Capacity Building Grant Requests
Thursday October 6, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Conducting a Community Needs Assessment
Wednesday October 19, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

How to Mobilize Your Board and Raise New Funds [NEW ]
Thursday October 27, 2011 2:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.), 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Map of Nonprofit Startup Resources by State

2011-09-07T15:52:00.002-04:00

Do you have an idea for a nonprofit, but not sure where to begin? The Foundation Center has collected the best resources from organizations across the country and listed them in one place to help you start off your nonprofit on the right path.

Their new Map of Nonprofit Startup Resources by State provides links to helpful resources such as state associations, legal support organizations, and government agencies that provide information on forming a nonprofit in all fifty states and U.S. territories. Find out where to go to incorporate, where to register before raising funds, and which organizations offer management or technical assistance for nonprofits in your area.

And don't forget about the other Foundation Center resources on starting a nonprofit, including:

Establishing a Nonprofit Organization
This free tutorial will help you learn how to establish a nonprofit organization, task by task.

Webinar Series for Nonprofit Startup Organizations
Recordings of a Foundation Center special 5-part webinar series on the legal, financial, and management issues of starting a nonprofit.

Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits
Offered as in-person training or an online webinar, this free class teaches the characteristics of effective nonprofits and will help you assess whether your organization is ready for foundation fundraising.

2011-08-31T15:23:00.001-04:00

SCORE: Basic Accounting for Nonprofits

This basic accounting workshop facillitated by Syracuse SCORE is designed specifically for nonprofit organizations.Three two-hour sessions will cover accounting basics and will teach you how to manage the numbers. Attendees should plan on taking part in all three sessions. Due to limited space, we ask that only one representative from each organization attend (perhaps an individual with finance-related responsibilities within your organization or a board member).

Sessions will include:
An Overveiw of Basic Accounting: What is it? How does it work? Including definitions of terms and a simplified approach.

The Basics of Successful Accounting: How to make accounting work for your organization.

An Overview and Review of Financial Statements: Learn how and why common accounting reports exist, and how to use them to better understand your organization.

SESSION DATES AND TIMES
Tuesday September 27th, 8:00- 10:00 AM
Tuesday October 4th, 8:00- 10:00 AM
Tuesday October 11th, 8:00- 10:00 AM

Register for these sessions now!
http://scorenonprofitaccounting.eventbrite.com/

2011-08-31T14:54:00.002-04:00

Getting and Keeping the Best Board Members

90-minute webinar

Date: September 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM EST
Cost: $99.00
Sponsored by Stevenson, Inc

Who are they? Where are they? How do we find them? How do we recruit them? How do we keep them? This webinar will focus on tried-and-true, practical ways to get and keep high-performing board members. These ideas you can put to use immediately and begin to reap the benefits.

Having the right individuals on your Board can make a world of difference in your organization's ability to: make the right connections, raise more funds than you ever thought possible, build your organization's reputation, attract more volunteers and members and much more.

The presenter, Jean Block, will discuss recruiting essentials, managing the best board and what to do with unproductive board members.

Jean Block is a nationally recognized consultant and trainer in nonprofit management, fundraising, board development and governance and social enterprise.

Sign up now

Grant opportunities

2011-08-22T12:19:00.002-04:00

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the following two foundations.

Arthur Vining Davis Foundation
Funds projects that support the enhancement of humane care in health facilities. The Founation welcomes proposals that promote caring attitudes through inter-professional collaboration, provide training in patient-centered care, and improve the culture of physician education at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Verizon Foundation
Supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

Find out more about these and other foundation grant opportunities by searching the Foundation Directory Online database.

Nonprofit Webinars

2011-08-16T18:39:00.002-04:00

8/17/2011
Register for Partnering with Municipalities to Get Grants: Things to Know

8/24/2011
Register for Why Your Board Won’t Fundraise & What You Can Do About It

View all upcoming Nonprofit Webinars

What you need to know about social media

2011-08-08T10:59:00.003-04:00

From the Foundation Center’s DC regional office – Twitter for Nonprofits: Getting Started

See also the following books available for free loan from the Onondaga County Nonprofit Resource Center collection

The social media survival guide for nonprofits and charitable organizations : how to build your base of support and fast-track your fundraising efforts using social media / Sherrie A Madia

Building strong nonprofits : new strategies for growth and sustainability / edited by John C. Olberding and Lisa Barnwell Williams

The networked nonprofit : connecting with social media to drive change / Beth Kanter, Allison Fine ; foreword by Randi Zuckerberg

The following podcasts on various social media topics are available through the Foundation Center's Grantspace.org website. Become a member today!

2011-08-03T15:36:00.002-04:00

Here is the latest summary of changes and additions to the Foundation Directory Online (FDO) database.
New Grantmakers ... 315
High Growth Grantmakers ... 64
Contact Information Changes ... 4,077
Fields of Interest/Types of Support Changes ... 447
Leadership Changes ... 993

Visit the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Onondaga County Central Library to access FDO. Discover new potential funding prospects. Build reports by state on new or high growth grantmakers or grantmakers with recent changes.

Nonprofits Live

2011-07-23T09:49:00.003-04:00

The newest addition to TechSoup's vast array of nonprofit resources is a live monthly interactive video chat series, Nonprofits Live. These events blend virtual video speaker conferencing; online presentation and video; and live audience chatting and social networking, including conversation on Twitter using the #NPLive hashtag. Nonprofits Live provides a more robust and interactive alternative to the traditional webinar.

* Watch the recording of the first Nonprofits Live session,

* View the speakers' presentation materials,

* Continue the conversation in the Nonprofits Live Future of Fundraising online forum.

Google for Nonprofits

2011-07-19T17:32:00.001-04:00

Apply for the Google for Nonprofits program and get access to exclusive products and resources to help your organization expand its impact.

•Free or discounted version of Google Apps for your organization
•Free Adwords advertising
•Premium branding and increased uploads on YouTube
•Free licensing for Google Earth, SketchUp, and Maps API

Answering the "Future Funding" Question

2011-07-19T17:19:00.002-04:00

Answering the "Future Funding" Question

More funders are asking about nonprofits' future funding options, yet a 2009 report suggests that most nonprofits may not have good answers. What is your answer when donors ask how you will keep your program running if they stop giving you money?
Learn about what funders want to hear when you talk about your sustainability plan, so you'll have an answer ready when (not if) you're asked.

Join us for our live Q&A chat on Friday, July 22, 1-2pm ET, with nonprofit sustainability consultant Kevin Monroe. Mr. Monroe is the Managing Partner and Founder of X Factor Consulting, based in the metro Atlanta area.

Join our live Q&A, tap the expertise of our featured panelist, and share your own expertise. We devote most of the hour to your questions and comments!

Register now>>

See also related resources on sustainability:

Knowledge Base Articles

Nonprofit Sustainability: Building Blocks to Organizational Success
a free Foundation Center webinar
Tuesday August 23, 2011
3:00pm - 4:00pm

New Book

2011-06-29T09:25:00.003-04:00

The Social Media Survival Guide for Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations: how to build your base of support and fast-track your fundraising efforts with social media
by Sherrie A Madia

2011-06-10T11:58:00.000-04:00

The IRS has published its first Automatic Revocation of Expemption List listing approximately 275,000 nonprofits whose tax-exempt status has been revoked because they failed to file a Form 990, 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990-PF for three consecutive years.

From GuidestarWhat does publication of the list mean to you?
If your organization appears on the list, you must now must file a federal income tax return and pay federal income taxes. If you previously could accept tax-deductible contributions, you no longer can do so.
If your organization is not on the list, technically you don't have to do anything. This a good time, however, to reach out to your donors, funders, and other constituents and assure them that you are in good standing with the IRS. You may also wish to suggest that your supporters consult the list to ensure that the other nonprofits they give to are still exempt.

Foundation Directory Online - update

2011-06-08T15:39:00.002-04:00

An IRS processing error affecting electronically filed Forms 990 from filing years 2007-2009, resulting in inaccurate data appearing on the scanned images of these 990s has been discovered. This does not affect Forms 990-PF or 990-EZ.

Please read the full announcement (PDF) for more information.

A link to this announcement has also been posted on all Foundation Directory Online grantmaker and grant records by the 990 links, as well as on the 990 search screen.

FDO Refresher Training

2011-06-02T08:57:00.002-04:00

If you have used the Foundation Directory Online database before and would like some refresher training on how to develop search strategies to get the best results and develop a useful prospect list, sign up for the FDO Refresher Training.

Where: Central Library, Level 4, Pass Computer Lab
When: Thursday, June 9
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Cost: Free

Register by calling 315.435.1900

Charting Impact: A New Tool To Tell Your Story

2011-05-27T16:27:00.003-04:00

Charting Impact is the newest tool to help charitable organizations highlight the difference they make, sharpen their approach, and be in a position to work with others.

Here's how it works: Answer a series of five simple, yet powerful questions, and your organization will receive a concise, standardized report to share with potential supporters and partners.

Charting Impact was developed by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar USA, and Independent Sector, with help from an advisory group that included the Foundation Center.

Learn more and create your unique Charting Impact report for free at www.ChartingImpact.org

Remote Reference Services

2011-05-25T08:54:00.002-04:00

OCPL’s Info2go text reference service provides quick answers to your questions while you are out and about and on-the-go!

Two better serve you, Info2go has expanded hours of service. You can text your questions to the Library:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday - Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Just text Info2go and your question to 66746. Onondaga County librarians will provide you with local directions and event information, library hours of operation, or answers to quick reference questions.

Through Info2go you can also place hold requests on local library materials by texting the library, and then receive a text notifying you when your item is in and ready for check out at the specified pick up library. Log onto your online account to change your preferences if you want to receive your library notifications by text. Standard text rates do apply.

Please take a moment to complete the Remote Reference Survey. Your feedback helps the library to better serve you. Thank you!

2011-05-16T11:27:00.005-04:00

The Nonprofit Outcomes Toolbox: a complete guide to program effectiveness, performance measurement and results
By Robert M. Penna

The End of Fundraising: raise more money by selling your impact
By Jason Saul

The Social Entrepreneur’s Handbook: how to start, build and run a business that improves the world
By Rupert Scofield

Marketing workshop

2011-05-12T10:18:00.000-04:00

Mobile Marketing & Fundraising for Nonprofits
Date: May 25, 2011
Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Cost: Free

Register

2011-05-11T15:52:00.001-04:00

Did you know?
Foundation Finder is now accessible from your smartphone, so
you can have key financial data and contact information on U.S. grantmakers right at your fingertips!

When Applications are Not Accepted

2011-05-03T14:27:00.003-04:00

Nearly half of the grantmaker profiles in Foundation Directory Online state, "Applications not accepted", i.e., these funders do not take unsolicited proposals. A few recent Foundation Center sessions and blog postings explored some reasons why foundations choose not to accept applications and what grantseekers can do in these situations.

Applications Not Accepted: Get on Their Radar
This archived Live Chat featured panelists Bradford K. Smith, president of the Foundation Center and Pamela Grow, author, coach, copywriter, and nonprofit marketing consultant.

'Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You'
A PhilanTopic blog post by Bradford K. Smith that discusses why the majority of America's foundations don't want you to send in a proposal.

What To Do About Grantmakers That Don't Accept Applications
An Eye on FDO blog post by George Ford, Product Manager, Online Subscription Services that discusses why some foundations give only to pre-selected organizations and how you can approach them.

2011-04-28T09:18:00.002-04:00

Before You Say Yes ... A Guide to the Pleasures and Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards
by Doreen Pendgracs

2011-04-15T09:34:00.003-04:00

How to Connect with Donors and Double the Money you Raise
by Thomas Wolf

Free trial of Foundation Directory Online

2011-04-13T09:49:00.003-04:00

Find out how you can benefit from using the Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online database, then sign up for a 24-hour free trial !

Register at Grantspace.org, the Foundation Center’s social forum created especially for nonprofits, and get a gift card for 24-hour free access to the Foundation Directory Online database.

Remember, you have free access to the Foundation Directory Online Professional level anytime when you visit the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Onondaga County Central Library.

Call 315-435-1900 or email reference@onlib.org for more information.

New to the collection!

2011-04-07T14:33:00.002-04:00

Achieving Excellence in Fundraising 3rd edition
Edited by Eugene R. Temple, Timothy L. Seiler and Eva E. Aldrich

2011-04-04T15:34:00.003-04:00

Results Now for nonprofits: purpose, strategy, operations and governance
By Mark Light

Grant Writing 101: everything you need to start raising funds today
By Victoria M. Johnson

Stay current on nonprofit literature!

2011-03-19T16:39:00.002-04:00

Search the Foundation Center Catalog of Nonprofit Literature for the topics that interest you most. The Nonprofit Resource Center librarian can request single copies of articles and send them to you at no cost.

When you find an article you would like, send an email request to reference@onlib.org. Put 'Nonprofit Request' in the subject line.

Here is a sample of recent articles on Fundraising.

Clolery, Paul. "Swimming with the sharks". NonProfit Times vol. 25 (1 March 2011) p. 13-6.

Abstract: Attorneys specializing in nonprofit law discuss a wide range of issues surrounding the new federal Form 990, private foundation law, program-related investments, federal and state regulation, charitable speech via direct mail fundraising, copyright infringement, and branding. They also look at staff and resource legal issues such as employee claims, executive compensation, and conflicts of interest. A NonProfit Times special report.

Souccar, Miriam Kreinin. "Philanthro-teens". Crain's New York Business vol. 27 (January 31-February 6, 2011) p. 1, 21.

Abstract: Describes teenagers' growing interest in fundraising and starting nonprofits to support their favorite causes. Highlights several young philanthropists in the New York area.

Flandez, Raymund. "Technology makes it easier for a charity's supporters to raise money". Chronicle of Philanthropy vol. 23 (10 March 2011) p. 11-2.

Abstract: An overview of some of the new web sites that allow individuals to build their own personal fundraising campaigns for charities. These tools include Causes, Crowdrise, FirstGiving, and Razoo.

Devau, Richard. "Four big tips for small nonprofits". FundRaising Success vol. 9 (January 2011) p. 33-5.

Abstract: Fundraising advice for small organizations.

2011-03-11T16:31:00.001-05:00

Last night, a 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan north of Tokyo resulting in a devastating tsunami. There are reports of injuries and thousands are feared to be dead.

Charities are beginning to mount an emergency response and donations are needed to help provide relief to those in need.

To help you make the most of your charitable donation, Charity Navigator’s staff has published donating tips and a list of charities responding.

RFP

2011-03-08T15:08:00.002-05:00

ESA Foundation Offers Support for Youth-Focused Education Technology Programs

The ESA Foundation, a philanthropic vehicle of the Entertainment Software Association, is dedicated to supporting programs that make a difference in the lives of America's youth.

The foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services utilizing technology and/or computer and video games to educate America's youth and young adults (ages 7 to 18).

Deadline: May 15

Find more RFPs in the Philanthropy News Digest.

Foundation Directory Online enhancements

2011-03-01T16:52:00.003-05:00

New in the Foundation Directory Online database

* 288 new grantmakers added in February 2011.

* The new Celebrity Foundation enhancement lets you search for celebrity-affiliated foundations just by adding the keyword "celebrity foundation" to your search criteria.

* The new Giving Pledge link lets you see foundations affiliated with wealthy individuals who have committed to donate more than half their wealth to philanthropy. Just type "Giving Pledge" into the keyword search field to see foundations affiliated with pledge participants

Visit the Onondaga County Central Library to use this resource.

Philanthropy In/Sight

2011-02-22T15:11:00.003-05:00

Designed for grantmakers and grantseekers, Philanthropy In/Sight is a new, interactive mapping tool that lets you create maps to visualize the scope and reach of philanthropy.

Philanthropy In/Sight uses the Foundation Center's rich data on grantmakers and their grants and customized search criteria to reveal patterns of giving, funding relationships, areas where philanthropy has made an impact and areas where opportunities exist to fill critical needs.

Take the online guide tour to see how valuable this resource can be for you.

Visit the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Onondaga Central Library for FREE access to this database.

Guidestar webinar

2011-02-15T18:44:00.001-05:00

Don't Get Lost in the Crowd—Tap into Your Supporters' Passion to Become a Great Nonprofit

What: FREE GuideStar Webinar

Date: February 22, 2011

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Presenters: Perla Ni, CEO and Founder, GreatNonprofits, and José Fernández, Director, GuideStar Exchange

Foundation Finder

2011-02-10T10:02:00.002-05:00

Foundation Finder is now accessible from your smartphone, so
you can have key financial data and contact information on U.S. grantmakers right at your fingertips!

Bookmark http://finder.foundationcenter.org and take Foundation Finder with you wherever you go.

Visit the Foundation Center for more information.

Meet The Foundations

2011-02-08T17:32:00.002-05:00

Join the Allyn Foundation, Snow Foundation, Gifford Foundation, and Central New York Community Foundation at one of three informative sessions discussing foundation fundingand priorities; and featuring a facilitated, interactive format.

Dates:
March 3, 2011
June 2, 2011
September 8, 2011

Time:
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Location:
Central New York Philanthropy Center
431 East Fayette Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

Attendees will:
• Learn more about each of the featured funders
• Acquire a better understanding of each funders’ strategic approach to grantmaking
• Network with others in the local nonprofit community

Contact:
Central New York Community Foundation
Phone:315-422-9538
Email:info@cnycf.org

Please note: The content of all three sessions is similar. There is no need to attend more than once. Due to limited space, only two representitives from each organization should attend.

2011-02-08T14:48:00.004-05:00

Successful Marketing Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations 2nd edition
by Barry J. McLeish

2011-01-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

Mission and Money: understanding the university
by Burton A. Weisbrod, Jeffrey P. Ballou and Evelyn D. Asch

Online Celebration of GrantSpace

2011-01-20T16:27:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Join the Foundation Center's GrantSpace celebration online with these special, free programs:

Proposal Development: What Not to Do
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Live online chat with Pamela Grow, nonprofit marketing consultant, and Kevin McDaniel, program officer, The Cleveland Foundation

Foundation Networking 2.0
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Live online chat with Allyson Burns, director of communications, Case Foundation, and Cassandra Stalzer, communications manager, Rasmuson Foundation

2011-01-19T10:15:00.003-05:00

Nonprofit Software Reviews
Determining your nonprofit’s technology needs and choosing from the vast array of available software can be overwhelming. The Foundation Center provides product reviews and comparisons as well as general advice from experts in the field.

Not-For-Profit Conference

2011-01-12T09:48:00.002-05:00

Date: January 18, 2011
Place: Doubletree Hotel, Carrier Circle
Time: Registration 8:30 AM, Program: 8:50 Am - 12:30 PM
Cost: Free

Topics inlcude:
2010 Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance Update
Board Responsibilities
The 'ART' of Budgeting your risk management responsibilities
2010 Federal and State Tax update

Register
or email: nonprofitconference@dmcpas.com

Conference sponsored by Dannible & McKee, LLP

Webinar - Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

2011-01-11T16:13:00.001-05:00

When: Wednesday, February 2nd at 2 pm
Cost: Free
Who: Hosted by the IRS
What: Webinar for all small businesses, as well as tax professionals and attorneys. CPE credit will be available for professionals if the seminar meets your professional organization's CPE requirements.

Learn about:
•Amount of Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
•Who qualifies
•Eligibility rules
•How to claim the credit
•Calculating the credit
•Resources available
REGISTER & ATTEND

new to collection

2010-12-30T14:36:00.002-05:00

From Idea to Funded Project: grant proposals for the digital age. 5th edition
by Julia M. Jacobsen and Jan Fay Kress

2010-12-21T17:18:00.004-05:00

Nonprofit Sustainabiliity: making strategic decisions for financial viability
by Jeanne Bell, Jan Masaoka and Steve Zimmerman

Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances
by Thomas A McLaughlin

Free Foundation Center webinars

2010-12-17T15:55:00.002-05:00

Here is a list of the free Foundation Center webinars available in January 2011

Introduction to Finding Funders
Thursday Jan 6 1:00-2:00 pm EST

Proposal Writing Basics
Tuesday Jan 11 2:00-3:00 pm EST

Proposal Budgeting Basics
Wednesday Jan 12 1:00-2:00 pm EST

How to Approach a Foundation
Thursday Jan 13 1:00-2:00 pm EST

Introduction to Fundraising Planning
Wednesday Jan 19 3:00-4:00 pm EST

Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits
Tuesday Jan 25 1:00-2:00 pm EST

How to Apply to the Creative Work Fund
Monday Jan 31 9:00-10:00 pm EST

Future Fund will award health and wellness grant

2010-12-16T14:44:00.001-05:00

The Future Fund of Central New York is requesting grant application letters of intent from nonprofits working to improve health and wellness. One grant of up to $5000 will be awarded.

The deadline for letter of intent is January 19, 2011.

Questions can be directed to Ivy Biswas at 315-883-5544 or ibiswas@cnycf.org

New books!

2010-12-13T14:01:00.002-05:00

Donor-Centered Planned Gift Marketing
By Michael J. Rosen, CFRE

The American Way to Change: how national service & volunteers are transforming America
By Shirley Sagawa

Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding

2010-12-09T15:01:00.003-05:00

Building Social Business: the new kind of capitalism that serves humanity’s most pressing needs
by Muhammad Yunus

Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding: seven principles to power extraordinary results
by Jocelyne S. Daw and Carol Cone

The Nonprofit Challenge: integrating ethics into the purpose and promise of our nation’s charities
by Doug White

Tis the season for charitable giving

2010-12-08T15:44:00.002-05:00

Here is a list of Resources to help you decide where to donate, and to learn more about charitable giving & volunteering.

2010-11-29T14:04:00.004-05:00

The Power of Legacy and Planned Gifts: how nonprofits and donors work together to change the world
by Kevin Johnson
Written with a focus on the unique perspective and needs of small or mid-size nonprofits. Real-world examples and worksheets will help these nonprofits build a stream of future income from bequests.

2010-11-19T15:36:00.002-05:00

Fundraising Intelligence webinars from WealthEngine

December 1 2010 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Strategies for Building the Prospect Pipeline
Presented in conjunction with APRA. Caroline Oblack of WealthEngine will cover proactive research strategies designed to help organizations build their prospect pool, including:
• A three-pronged approach including screening, peer screening, and modeling/analytics
• Building your donor base through proactive prospecting
• Prospecting for donors
• Social networking/ethics
• Harnessing the power of your DMS (Using the Resources You Have)

December 7, 2010 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Actionable Strategies for Growing Your Fundraising Program
This session will discuss the different areas of fundraising and how an organization may prioritize and segment their donor and prospect base to grow their fundraising program. Topics may include:

•Major Gifts
•Annual Fund
•Planned Giving
•Corporate/Foundation giving
•Strategies to Upgrade Annual Fund Donors to a Major Gift Prospects
•Strategies to involve your Board Members and Volunteers in the fundraising process
•Segmenting and Prioritizing Your Donors and Prospects

Expert Exchange - Ethics of Fundraising

2010-11-18T15:36:00.001-05:00

Live online discussion
Expert Exchange - Ethics of Fundraising
December 9, 2010 2:00 PM
Log onto http://philanthropy.com/ to participate

GrantSpace

2010-11-15T14:54:00.005-05:00

The Foundation Center’s GrantSpace offers information and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of grantseekers. Visit GrantSpace to explore in-depth content, engage with a community of peers and experts and energize your fundraising efforts.

Join GrantSpace today and get a free 24-hour gift card for Foundation Directory Online Professional—the Foundation Center’s searchable database of nearly 100,000 grantmakers and more than 2 million grants.

• View video recordings of live discussions with grantmakers and listen to podcasts featuring experts in the field

• Find answers to your questions in our Knowledge Base

• Get information about opportunities in your subject

• Increase your expertise in fundraising and management

• Attend training and events, in-person and online

Individual Donor Fundraising Trends

2010-11-06T14:19:00.003-04:00

Although the Foundation Directory Online is the go-to resource for foundation funding, a successful fundraising strategy for any organization is composed of a diverse set of revenue sources. Here is information on several recent surveys about fundraising from individual donors.

Some of the findings from a recent Blackbaud survey are expected: direct mail, one-on-one solicitation of donors, and special events are seen as the top drivers of donations to organizations.

Perhaps more intriguing is this Dunham and Company survey,
which investigates the relationship between direct mail and online giving. Just a few of the interesting findings:
•14% of respondents stated that they gave online as a result of direct mail, compared to only 6% of those who gave after receiving an e-mail
•As expected, most younger donors are giving online as a response to direct mail, but 1 in 4 baby boomers are as well
•15% of respondents said their online gift was prompted by being asked to give by someone through a social media site. This number jumped to 24% for donors under the age of 40.

The Blackbaud survey also found that overall revenue from online giving during the last three month period ending in August is up by 20.4% from the same period last year. However, its respondents also reported that e-mail was the top driver of online donations last year, followed by direct mail. Though this initially seems to contradict the findings of the other survey, it is important to keep in mind that one surveyed nonprofit organizations, while the other surveyed individual donors, and neither were completely comprehensive in their scope.

An Indiana University Center on Philanthropy study found that women are generally more charitable than men — with a few exceptions, women at almost all income levels were more likely to give and to give more than men. These findings have already spurred conversation on why this may (or may not) be important. Additional results detailing what types of organizations women gave to are due out in December or January.

These findings, although not entirely surprising, but they further illustrate the need to constantly re-evaluate your fundraising strategy, critically looking at what is and isn't working.

For more resources on fundraising planning, be sure to visit the Foundation Center’s GrantSpace, where you can find podcasts, webinars, answers to frequently asked questions, and much more!

2010-11-03T09:10:00.003-04:00

Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins: how absolutely anyone can pitch in, help out, give back, and make the world a better place
By David T. Levinson

It’s Not Just Who You Know: transform your life (and your organization) by turning colleagues and contacts into lasting, genuine relationships
By Tommy Spaulding

2010-11-02T13:55:00.002-04:00

At The Crossroads: not-for-profit leadership strategies for executives and boards
By Philp Coltoff

2010-11-01T15:48:00.005-04:00

What is the value of your public library services?

Thank you for your donation!

2010-10-25T11:01:00.007-04:00

Thank you to the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Central New York for your gracious donation of:
Beyond Fundraising: new Strategies for nonprofit innovation and investment
by Kay Sprinkel Grace
Now available for check out.

Designing for the Greater Good

2010-10-21T10:33:00.005-04:00

Designing for the Greater Good: the best in cause-related marketing and nonprofit design
by Peleg Top and Jonathan Cleveland

Collection of the best and most current work in the field of nonprofit and cause-related marketing. Includes 24 inspiring case studies and hundreds of illustrated examples grouped in categories: family and community, animals, health and wellness, human rights, environmental awareness, spirituality, arts and culture.

The Nonprofit Board Therapist

2010-10-14T13:39:00.004-04:00

The Nonprofit Board Therapist: a guide to unlocking your organization's true potential
by Dennis C. Miller
A quick 86-page read with case study examples and practical, easy to implement suggestions.

Foundation Center Newsletters

2010-10-13T09:29:00.001-04:00

Subscribe to free Foundation Center newsletters:

Philanthropy News Digest
RFP Bulletin
Arts Funding Watch
Education Funding Watch
Health Funding Watch

New to the collection ...

2010-10-12T16:48:00.004-04:00

Mission-Based Marketing: positioning your not-for-profit in an increasingly competitive world
by Peter C Brinckerhoff

Mission-Based Management: leading your not-for-profit in the 21st century
by Peter C Brinckerhoff

Women, Wealth & Giving: the virtuous legacy of the boom generation
by Margert May Damen and Niki Nicastro McCuistion

Zilch: the power of zero in business
by Nancy Lublin

Soul of a Citizen: living with conviction in challenging times
by Paul Rogat Loeb

Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits

2010-10-07T12:04:00.002-04:00

Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits: real world strategies that work 3rd edition
by Ilona Bray, J.D.

Getting Your Share of the Pie

2010-10-07T10:41:00.002-04:00

Getting Your Share of the Pie: the complete guide to finding grants
By Valerie J. Mann

A guide for experienced grant writers seeking new options and techniques in obtaining operational funding. Also covers basic elements of grant proposals and grant adminstration and provides tips on how to design a project to make it 'more fundable'. Includes information on common Federal grant forms and the grants.gov step-by-step registration process.

Women & Philanthropy

2010-10-06T16:53:00.002-04:00

Just added to the collection!
Women & Philanthropy: boldly shaping a better world
by Sondra Shaw-Hardy and Martha A. Taylor

Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact

2010-10-04T14:20:00.002-04:00

The Foundation Center has launched a new database: Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact (TRASI). Developed in conjunction with McKinsey & Company, and with additional input from experts in the field, TRASI contains over 150 approaches to measuring and analyzing social impact for programs and investments, collected in a single searchable database.

These tools have been authored by social investors, foundations, NGOs, microfinance institutions, and others in the field who seek social change. Besides the assessment tools, the web portal provides additional resources including videos, podcasts, articles, an experts section.

Additional information can also be found at McKinsey & Company's Learning for Social Impact page.

2010-10-01T11:41:00.005-04:00

The Savvy Musician: building a career, earning a living and making a difference

The Business of Being and Artist

Shaking The Money Tree:the art of getting grants and donations for film and video projects

Funding for the Arts

2010-09-30T16:59:00.002-04:00

October is Funding for the Arts Month!
* Find grants for individual artists?
* Find grants for film or videomakers?
* Find grants for musicians?
* Find grants for performing artists?
* Find grants as a visual artist?
* Find grants for writers?
* Funding and Managing Arts Organizations

The Essence of Strategic Giving

2010-09-24T15:30:00.003-04:00

The Essence of Strategic Giving: a practical guide for donors and fundraisers
by Peter Frumkin

National Directory of Corporate Giving

2010-09-24T15:18:00.003-04:00

The National Directory of Corporate Giving 16th edtion has just been received and added to the Nonprofit Resource Center Reference collection.

The 15th edition of the National Directory of Corporate Giving is now available to check out.

AccessMyLibrary app

2010-09-23T16:19:00.003-04:00

The AccessMyLibrary Public Edition app from Gale is now available! Download it to get free, unlimited access to library resources within a 10-mile radius of your location. Learn more and get it today at http://www.gale.com/apps. Click on AML Public Edition.

These Gale online databases are already avaliable for free access through the OCPL website, but with the new app, you can now also access them easily from your mobile device:
Gale Business & Company Resource Center
Gale Custom Newspapers
Gale Academic Onefile
Gale General Onefile
Gale Health Reference Center
Gale Biography In Context
Gale Literature Resource Center

Call the Central Library at 315-435-1900 for more information.

Guerrilla Marketing For Nonprofits

2010-09-21T13:33:00.004-04:00

Guerrilla Marketing for Nonprofits: 250 tactics to promote, recruit, motivate and raise more money
by Jay Conrad Levinson, Frank Adkins and Chris Forbes
Practical tools, strategies and insights for every nonprofit even if you have a small budget and no dedicated marketing staff.

The PRI Directory

2010-09-15T13:32:00.005-04:00

The PRI Directory: Program-Related Investments and Loans by Foundations, is arranged alphabetically by grantmaker and includes the following indexes:
Donors, officers and trustees
Geographic
PRI recipient location
PRIs by subject
Grantmakers by fields of PRI interest
PRI type of support
Grantmaker name and Recipient name

The 3rd edition has just been added to the Nonprofit Resource Center's reference collection. The PRI Directory 2nd ed is now available to be checked out.

Big Book of Benefit Auctions

2010-09-11T11:37:00.004-04:00

The Big Book of Benefit Auctions
by Jay R. Fiske and Corinne A. Fiske
If you "throw a party" and hope it makes money, you will underachieve. You need a businesslike approach in order to increase your audience,motivate your volunteers and exceed your financial goals. This step-by-step handbook covers it all from setting the goal for the event through auction night cashiering services.

NEW Grantstation webinars

2010-09-11T09:22:00.002-04:00

Register for these Grantstation webinars
Building working partnerships with local businesses
Wed September 22, 2010 2:00 PM, 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Need a Grant? Advice and resources for the individual grantseeker
Thu September 30, 2010 2:00 PM, 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Evaluation basics: logical frameworks
Thu October 7, 2010 2:00 PM, 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Grantwriting Overview: becoming more effective at grantwriting
Mon November 1, 2010 2:00 PM 90 minutes
Fee: $699.00 per person, $0.00 per site

In kind donations: gifts that make a difference
Tue November 16, 2010 2:00 PM, 90 minutes
Fee: $89.00 per person, $150.00 per site

Updates to FDO

2010-09-02T11:33:00.004-04:00

245 new Grantmakers were added in August to the Foundation Directory Online database!

To use this great resource,
visit the Central Library
Mon,Thu,Fri,Sat 11 AM - 4:50 PM
Tue,Wed 11 AM - 7:20 PM

Appointments are not necessary. Bring your laptop for wireless access to the database anywhere in the building, or use one of our reference computers on Level 3. Just ask for assistance at the Information Desk.

Topical Resource Lists

2010-09-01T10:25:00.005-04:00

The Foundation Center provides a selective list of relevant resources for researchers and practitioners and grantmakers.

The lists include books, pamphlets, periodical articles, videotapes and web links. Most of the materials can be found in Foundation Center libraries.

Contact the Nonprofit Resource Center supervisor for more information or to request copies of any of the articles.

315.435.1900 reference@onlib.org

Catalog of Nonprofit Literature

2010-08-21T11:23:00.003-04:00

Did you know you can request articles from the Foundation Center's Catalog of Nonprofit Literature?

The Catalog on Nonprofit Literature is a searchable database of the literature of philanthropy that incorporates the unique contents of the Center's five libraries and contains more than 24,500 bibliographic citations.

Contact Peg Elliott, Supervisor of the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Onondaga County Public Library. Call 315-435-1900 or email your request to her attention at reference@onlib.org.

Articles can be sent to your location via e-mail, mail, or fax.

Funding Resources for K-12 Education on the Web

2010-08-21T11:03:00.003-04:00

The Foundation Center's Foundations for Education Excellence, a web portal created with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education, reports on the funding interests of the most important private foundations and the federal government's programs and features grant maps, research studies, and news in the field.

Other websites of interest ..
DonorsChoose - public school teachers post online proposals to fund classroom activities; donors review each proposal and donations are tracked as the project is funded.
Adopt-A-Classroom - a fundraising portal that connects public school classrooms across the country with potential individual donors.

Also use the Foundation Directory Online database to discover other K-12 resources. Use field of interest terms such as "Elementary/secondary education" or "Elementary/secondary school reform" to find prospective funders. Find those same terms in the Search Grants database's recipient type and grant subject indexes.

The Networked Nonprofit

2010-08-19T14:40:00.005-04:00

The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change
by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine
Help for nonprofit leaders in navigating the transition from top-down organizations to a networked approach enabled by technology. Specific strategies and how-to exercises for implementation, secrets to success from nonprofits who have used new social media tools effectively themselves, and interviews with nonprofit managers who have learned how to jump into the social media fray and thrived because of it.

Small Change

2010-08-17T14:46:00.004-04:00

Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World
by Michael Edwards

Discusses the concept of 'philanthrocapitalism' and explores the conflicts between business thinking & market mechanisms and civil society thinking & social transformation.

Info2go text a librarian

2010-08-05T15:30:00.008-04:00

Need to Know? Text Info2go!

The Onondaga County Public Library now offers free text reference service.

Simply send a text to 66746. Make the first word of your text be our keyword Info2go. Then type your question.

ex:Info2go Does lib have book Guide to Winning Proposals?

An Onondaga County librarian will respond to your question.

Info2go is available the following hours
Monday-Thursday 9:30am-7:30pm
Friday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm

Save 66746 in your contacts as Info2go

Standard message and data rates apply

New to the Collection!

2010-07-28T12:59:00.009-04:00

A Philanthropic Covenant with Black America,
edited by Rodney M. Jackson

The Simplified Guide to Not-For-Profit Accounting, Formation and Reporting
by Laurence Scot

Grant Writing for Non-Profits

2010-07-10T13:28:00.003-04:00

Tuesday 9/28/2010 (Pt 1) 6 to 8 pm
Thursday 9/30/2010 (Pt 2) 6 to 8 pm

Location: Southside Innovation Center, 2610 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY
Register: please call Alicia Millington at 315-443-8634.
Fee: A $25 fee covers both sessions.

Meet the Foundations

2010-07-09T15:17:00.006-04:00

Joint presentation by the CNY Community Foundation, Gifford Foundation, Allyn Foundation and Gorman Foundation.

Programs conducted in Madison County on August 19
Onondaga County on August 24, 2010. Space is limited, so register soon!

Attendees will learn about each of the featured funders, acquire a better understanding of each funder’s strategic approach to grantmaking and network with others in the nonprofit community.