Feb
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The Foundation Center
February 3, 2010 | Tagged development, donor, fundraising, research | Leave a Comment
New to non-profits? Head straight to 1627 K Street, NW- Third Floor, Washington DC 20006 and gain knowledge. The Foundation Center is a FREE resource just waiting for you to ask for help. The library now loans books out, so you no longer have to stay there to rush through a book. You can take it home to enjoy. They really read and respond to our feedback! The classroom training is invaluable. Check out the monthly calendar and sign up for free classes. Stop by to ask an expert for advice or help. They are there to help; employees are experienced professionals with wonderful, positive, can-do attitudes and big smiles.
When I got my first internship in Development, I did not know what Development was. On my third day in DC I heard about the Foundation Center and I headed over; what an amazing resource. Kim Patton, Training Coordinator, is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She has a wealth of experience she is happy to share. If you don’t have a Foundation Center near you, don’t despair, check out thePodcasts, Blogs and Videos-or online training; there could be an affiliate library near you.
The Foundation Center has a library and computer center that are invaluable resources for small non-profits and students who can’t afford the books or database services. You can access Foundation Directory Online and Wealth Engine at no charge there in the center; I’ve never had trouble finding an open computer.
I’ve taken most of their free, short classes and a few day long courses that I’ve paid for:
Grantseeking Basics
Introduction to Foundation Center Online (learn to use their data base then use it free on-site or pay to subscribe at work or home)
Grantseeking for Individuals in the Arts (very helpful for artists trying to fund projects or an MFA)
Cultivating Grantmaker Relationships (an all day course, not free, but worth the price)
Proposal Writing Basics (what can you do to get your proposal noticed?)
Introduction into Corporate Giving
Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits (even if you are not starting your own, this is a great overview of the process)
Prospect Research Basics: Researching Individual Donors
How to Approach a Foundation: From Initial Contact to Getting Funded (this is Fundraising in a nutshell; relationships, relationships, relationships)
Here is their link to training:
We offer a full curriculum of training courses in the classroom and online to get you started or develop your expertise. From grantseeking basics to exploring alternative revenue sources for your nonprofit.