Grants

Resources for Grant-Seekers

The Chester County Library System offers a rich collection of resources to help those searching for and writing grants. These resources include subscription databases and print directories available through the Phoenixville Public Library, books available through the Chester County Library System, and a select list of high-quality, free internet sites. These resources are described in more detail below.

I. Foundation Center Cooperating Collection at the Chester County Library

The Chester County Library is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center. As a member of this nationwide network of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit agencies, the Chester County Library provides visitors with free public access to grantmaker directories, books on fundraising and nonprofit management, and the Foundation Center’s electronic databases, Foundation Directory Online Professional, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, and Philanthropy In/Sight. These fully searchable databases include detailed profiles of all active U.S. foundations, an extensive file of recent grants awarded by the nation's top funders, and interactive mapping tools:

Foundation Directory Online
Updated weekly, 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, Companies, Grants, 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. Choose from over 1,100 indexed search terms or keyword-search. Interactive maps and charts show a funder’s giving trends, and you can click through to see recipient lists and grant details.

Foundation Grants to Individuals Online

Find funders that provide scholarships, fellowships, grants, and a wide range of financial support to individuals.

Philanthropy In/Sight®
Create maps to visualize the scope and reach of philanthropy—from local communities to countries around the globe.

The Foundation databases may be used in-library at Chester County Library only. Please see the Reference Desk for log-in assistance.

For further information on using the Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, please visit the Reference Desk, or contact us at 610-280-2620 or ref@ccls.org.

II. Books available through the Chester County Library System.

Click here to start searching our online catalog for books related to grant writing.

Click here to create your own keyword search in our online catalog.

III. Web Sites – Funding Opportunities

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
http://www.cfda.gov/

"…database of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally -recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. After you find the program you want, contact the office that administers the programand find out how to apply.”

Faith-Based Funding Resources
http://libwww.freelibrary.org/rfc/rfc_downloads.cfm

A compendium compiled by the Regional Foundation Center. Visit the above link and select "Faith-Based Funding Resources” to view the 21-page PDF document dated December 2007.

Federal Grants
http://www.grants.gov

Allows you to search and apply for federal grants. According to the web site, "Grants.gov is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.” Also provides a wealth of information related to federal funding.

Grants for Individuals
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3subject.htm

This compilation of resources focuses primarily on funding opportunities for individuals, such as financial aid or scholarships for students, rather than funding for nonprofit organizations. From the Michigan State University Libraries.

Grants for Nonprofits
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm

This compilation of resources focuses primarily on grants or funding sources for nonprofit organizations. A few categories (marked with an asterisk) are also of interest to individuals. From the Michigan State University Libraries.

Grantsmanship Center – Funding Opportunities by State
http://www.tgci.com/funding.shtml

Provides basic information on top grantmaking foundations in each state, and other state-specific information.

NewPA.com
http://www.newpa.com/

Includes a Funding and Program Finder, which allows you to search for grants, loans, and initiatives offered through the Department of Community and Economic Development. Useful for seeking funding for business ventures, community projects, or site revitalizations in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Foundations Online
Updated, online version of the Directory of Pennsylvania Foundations. Search by foundation name, county, city, zip code, major interest codes, total grants, contact person, and additional criteria. Search results include summary of recently-awarded grants, contact information, application guidelines, financial information, and more. Available for use at the Phoenixville Public Library; contact the Reference Librarian, Mark Pinto, at 610-933-3013, X32, or mpinto@ccls.org for more information.

IV. Web Sites – Grantwriting Information and Tips

The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing, 5^th Edition
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/learnabout/audiobook.html

The new audio version of this popular title is available free of charge via this url.

Grantwriting Glossary of Terms

http://www.dvg.org/?page=glossary

Includes types of grantmakers and grants, general grantmaking terms, and financial terms.

Grant Proposal Writing Tips
http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html

"The Corporation for Public Broadcasting evaluates hundreds of proposals each year for a variety of funding purposes. This publication is an easy guide to the basic elements of grant proposal writing and is offered to assist applicants to CPB and to other funding sources. It offers guideposts to help you through each stage of the process.”

Guide to Funding Research
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/gfr/

Free online tutorial from the Foundation Center.

Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Charitable Organizations
www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community

"Information for starting & registering charitable organizations in PA. Links to regulations/forms needed for all states.”

Proposal Writing Short Course
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html

Online short course from the Foundation Center. Available in five different languages.

V. Other Resources

Regional Foundation Center at the Philadelphia Free Library, 2nd Floor, 1901 Vine Street, Social Science and History Department

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/rfc/index.cfm

"The Regional Foundation Center informs the local nonprofit sector through research, resources and referrals. The RFC houses Philadelphia's largest publicly accessible collection of print and electronic resources on fundraising, nonprofit management, general philanthropy and institutional advancement. The RFC also provides free access to the Foundation Directory Online--the most comprehensive database of U.S. grant makers and their grants. Through its comprehensive collection and professionally certified staff librarians, the RFC promotes responsible nonprofit management and successful fundraising by nonprofit groups at all levels-- from grassroots startups to established institutions.”

The RFC provides access to the following databases: GrantSelect, Grants to Individuals Online, Pennsylvania Foundations Online, Foundation Directory Online (Professional Edition), GuideStar (Premium Edition).

Last Modified: 6/18/13