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Nonprofit Grantseeking Resources

NONPROFIT GRANTSEEKING RESOURCES

The City Library provides free access to Candid, offering the best and most comprehensive information available on foundation and corporate giving. Candid resources provide fundraising research guidance, professional staff to assist visitors, and other funding-related technical assistance. Candid can be accessed on-site at all City Library locations. Inquire at the Reference Desk at any City Library location for assistance in getting started with these resources.

CANDID ONLINE RESOURCES

The Library provides in-house access to four Candid online resources: Foundation Directory Online Professional, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, Foundation Maps, and GuideStar Pro at all locations. Live chat agents on the Candid website are available for help during the hours of 10am–3pm MST.

Users can access these online resources from their personal device when logging in on-site or from the public PCs available in every City Library location. Level 3 of the Main Library has a computer reserved for research using these online resources. Ask a Librarian for assistance logging on to this computer. Other locations may have materials set aside for use during appointments.

CANDID LEARNING

Candid offers live and on-demand training that will develop the skills, practices, and behaviors that best position people for success while working in the social sector.

ONE-ON-ONE GRANT RESEARCH HELP

Resource assistance is available by appointment. To schedule an appointment, email granthelp@slcpl.org, call the Level 3 Reference Desk directly at 801-322-8146 or Glendale Branch at 801-594-8660.

Foundation Directory Online Professional provides access to essential facts on grantmakers and their funding activities worldwide. To pinpoint prospective funders, explore four comprehensive databases: Grantmakers, Grants, Recipients, and 990s. With geographic search tools, you can zoom in on regional and local grantmakers or grants by state, county, city, metro area, congressional district and ZIP code. Interactive maps and charts show a funder's giving trends, and you can view recipient lists and grant details. Foundation Directory Online Professional includes over 242,000 grantmaker profiles, 2.3 million recipient profiles, 1.2 decision makers and leaders, over 24.9 million grant records, and searchable grantmaker 990/990-PFs. Available at all City Library locations.

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Foundation Grants To Individuals Online includes profiles of 10,000 grantmakers with details on funders that provide scholarships, fellowships, grants, and a wide range of financial support to individuals. Available at all City Library locations.

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Foundation Maps is the Candid's premier data visualization tool and the easiest way to see who is funding what and where around the world. With millions of grants from 2006 to the present, innovative ways to visualize funding data, and the flexibility and precision to tailor research, Foundation Maps helps funders and nonprofits access the knowledge they need to make strategic decisions and strengthen their impact. Available only at the Main Library.

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With Guidestar Pro, you can access 2 million+ nonprofit profiles. Easily find local nonprofits where you can donate, work, or volunteer. Research outstanding partnership opportunities, comprehensive nonprofit profiles, and explore best practices to aid strategic planning. Available at all City Library locations.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I start a nonprofit organization?


There are many online resources available to guide you through the process of planning, researching, and starting a nonprofit. Here are a couple places to start:

• Utah Nonprofits Association Nonprofit Resource Center

• Candid Learning: Starting a Nonprofit

Can I get a grant to start or fund a business?


Foundation and government grants are generally not available to for-profit organizations such as businesses. Below are some alternate resources that might be helpful in starting/funding a business:

• U.S. Small Business Administration

• Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund

• Utah Small Business Development Center Network

• SCORE

Can I get a grant to fund an art project?


Some foundations make grants to individuals for personal projects such as art work. You can search these foundations in the Grants to Individuals Online database, available at all City Library locations.

You may also consider a fiscal sponsorship, a formal arrangement where a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization allows you to apply for grants using its nonprofit status, thus making you eligible for foundation grants you would not otherwise be able to apply for.

Can I get a grant to fund my education?


Some foundations provide support for students, and you can find those foundations in the Grants to Individuals Online database, available at all City Library locations. However, before searching for foundation grants, students should follow the usual avenues for finding financial aid: filling out a FAFSA, consulting scholarship directories, contacting the financial aid department of the institution(s) they plan to attend, etc.

• Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students

• Financial Aid for Graduate Students

• Funding for Research

• Scholarships, Fellowships & Loans Directory

Can I get a grant to help pay personal expenses?


Very few foundations give emergency funds to individuals. Government programs and local charities are a much better source for assistance with personal expenses such as housing, medical bills or debt. Below you will find some resources that may be useful to you in finding assistance.

• United Way 2-1-1—Dial 2-1-1 from any land line in Utah to be connected with an Information Specialist who can help you find the resources you need.

• Benefits.gov—A U.S. Government website that provides citizens with easy, online access to benefit and assistance programs. Click here for a more information about government assistance and links to the most popular government benefits by topic.

• Modest Needs—Short-term financial assistance to working individuals and families in temporary crisis.

USEFUL LINKS

for Nonprofits

• Candid Learning
Offers information and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of grantseekers and nonprofits.

• Foundation Directory Online Free
(For use when access is required outside the Main Library, Glendale Branch, or Sweet Branch)

• Gale Business Plan Builder
A step-by-step workflow to help you brainstorm and plan for your nonprofit, beginning with foundational activities that will help you think about the skills, support, and motivation you bring to the table as an entrepreneur.

• GrantStation
Provides searchable access for private and government funding opportunities, tutorials and articles that address a range of grant development issues, as well as resources for writing and securing grant awards.

• Guide to Researching Funders

• IssueLab
Free research from social sector organizations from around the world. Search over 28,000 publications and reports from 7,200 organizations.

• Philanthropy News Digest RFPs
An aggregated list of RFPs (Requests for Proposals) currently being offered by foundations or other grantmaking organizations.

• National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations
for Individuals
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