Who They Are and How to Find Them
Clubs & Organizations Professional societies, trade associations, labor unions, cultural and religious organizations, and other groups of all types offer support to nonprofit organizations.
- The first step in accessing these resources is knowing your community well.
Corporations A number of corporations and local businesses donate some of their profits or resources to nonprofit organizations. The business may give grants directly, or through a separate, company-sponsored foundation. Unlike foundations, corporations do not exist to give money away. Your proposal needs to show how support for your project will help the company achieve its own goals. Corporations also provide in-kind support like donated goods, services, use of corporate facilities, and access to staff expertise.
- Like clubs and organizations, the first step in accessing corporate giving programs and local businesses is knowing your community well. The Foundation Directory Online also provides information on corporate foundations and some (not all) corporate giving program.
Foundations A foundation is a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose it to give money (grants) to organizations for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes. It’s important to note that you can’t assume that an organization with the word foundation in its name is a grantmaker. Foundation is not a legal term, and is used by a variety of organizations.
- Foundation Directory Online As a member of the Foundation Center’s Funding Information Network the Impact Foundry offers access to the Foundation Directory Online, a comprehensive tool for researching foundations. Search for free at the Impact Foundry office.
Government Government funding can come from city, county, state and federal agencies.
- The state of California’s website offers information on available state grants.
- Quick Tips for Locating Federal Grant Opportunities from the Foundation Center
