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Nonprofit Resources : Databases

This guide provides an overview of nonprofit resources offered at CLP that will help aid in starting a 501(c)(3), grant searching and proposal writing

Foundation Directory

Foundation Directory (FDO) is the most comprehensive prospect research tool for fundraisers. Use this database to search for grantmakers through advanced search filters such as Subject Area and Geographic Focus. Foundation Directory is best for looking for project based funding - programs that have a clear goal, a clear audience, and a clear timeline. You can find out what subject areas grantmakers are funding and how big the grants are that they are giving out. You can look at 990 forms and see who works at the organization in order to start networking. Foundation Directory is available on-site at all CLP locations. You can schedule a 1:1 appointment to learn more about this resource.

Guidestar Pro

Guidestar Pro allows you to research and analyze data and financials on millions of nonprofits in one dynamic interface using multiple filters to refine and improve search results. This database allows you to identify key nonprofit leaders and analyze individual salary and compensation data. Nonprofits who claim their organization on Guidestar are able to earn Seals of Transparency by providing additional information about their mission, programs, brand, financials and strategy. The more information an organization provides, the higher level seal they will receive.

While we are unable to download information from Guidestar, you are able to access this resource at any CLP location. 

What can Guidestar be Used For?

  • Tool for transparency - if an organization is exempt from paying taxes their information will appear on Guidestar
  • How many nonprofits are there in a specific area
  • Analyzing the demographics of the staff and administration of an organization 
  • An organization's sustainable development goals

 

 

Foundation Maps

A data visualization tool that shows you who is funding what and where they're funding it. It also helps visualize current trends in giving. Foundation Maps can be useful for finding statistics that can be used in proposal writing.