Grantseeker Resources
While the Southwest Florida Community Foundation plays an important role in providing financial strength to area nonprofit organizations, it also provides resources to strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofits via seminars in board development, strategic planning, fundraising, leadership, etc. These seminars provide the training so nonprofit organizations can be more effective in their services to the community, making every charitable dollar more effective.
Foundation Center Cooperating Collection
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has been chosen by the Foundation Center in New York to be a site for its Cooperating Collection.
The Cooperating Collection includes The Foundation Directory Online, an in-depth, comprehensive database of grantmakers from all over the United States. The database includes the grantmakers’ fields of interest, their grantmaking history, contact information, as well as application and grantmaking process information. This invaluable resource also administers research, education, and training programs designed to advance philanthropy at every level.
To access this great tool, there are two computer stations available at the Community Foundation office. The Collection is available to the community during our regular business hours of Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Agencies interested in accessing the Collection should call us at 239-274-5900 to reserve a computer and a time.
To supplement the Collection, we have also increased our Resource Lending Library. The library is located at or office and includes books, articles, and publications that are relevant to nonprofits. This library will continue to grow in order to stay current on the newest trends in philanthropy.
For additional resources, please follow the links below.
[The appearance of hyperlinks to outside websites does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.]
The Foundation Center
The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants — an accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance philanthropy at every level.
http://foundationcenter.org/
Gulf Coast Society of Fund Raising Executives
GCSFRE is a local member organization that promotes the cause of professional fund raising. The organization serves its members through the development of educational programs and the dissemination of fund raising information.
http://www.gcsfre.org
Planned Giving Council of Lee County
A local member organization that provides education programs, technical support, and guidance to professionals in all aspects of charitable giving.
http://www.pgclee.org/
Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations (COF) is a membership organization of more than 2,000 grantmaking foundations and giving programs worldwide. They provide leadership expertise, legal services and networking opportunities to their members and to the general public.
http://www.cof.org
GuideStar
GuideStar is a primary source of information on US nonprofits. They offer a searchable database of more than 1.5 million IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations.
http://www.guidestar.org
Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN)
NTEN is an online membership organization of nonprofit technology professionals.
Tech Soup
This is another technology place for nonprofits. Powered by CompuMentor, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit technology assistance agencies, TechSoup offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support. In addition to online information and resources, they offer a product philanthropy service called TechSoup Stock. Here, nonprofits can access donated and discounted technology products, generously provided by corporate and nonprofit technology partners.
http://www.techsoup.org
Cause Communications
Cause Communications is dedicated to helping nonprofits succeed by using the same branding strategies for-profit corporations use to build market share. They provide a number of resources including a free communications toolkit and other books/articles for non-profit agencies.
http://www.causecommunications.org
