Library Collection Help for Grantseeking

About our Collections

The primary focus of the Foundation Center is to provide nonprofit organizations and individuals with current, factual information about grants and grantmaking organizations. In addition, though, the collection includes materials in the following subject areas:

Community Organizations and Issues

Materials about community development corporations and other types of neighborhood organizations and the work they do. Also includes resources about how community groups can address issues affecting them, such as housing and violence prevention.

Foundation and Corporate Directories

These directories provide listings of private, corporate, and government funders. Most directories will provide the following for each funder: address and contact information, areas of interest or program priorities, statement of limitations (such as the geographic area where grants are given), a list of trustees, and for larger foundations, a list of sample grants.

Fund Raising

Books that cover other types of fund raising besides grantseeking, such as planned giving, special events, and phonothons. Also includes materials about planning special programs.

Grantsmanship

Books on proposal writing, as well as the whole grantseeking process.

Foundations & Philanthropy -- Current Issues

Materials about foundation administration. Also books about general trends and issues in philanthropy. Advice for charitable giving.

Foundations & Philanthropy -- History

Histories of individual foundations as well as older books (pre-1980) about philanthropic giving.

Nonprofit Organizations & Their Management

Materials about various facets of nonprofit management (leadership, financial management, legal issues) and board development. Also books about how to incorporate as a nonprofit organization.