GUIDE TO SEEKING PRIVATE FUNDING

INTERNET BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESOURCES

This listing was compiled by the Development Office--Research to assist with grant seeking.  The following resource sites are offered as a useful starting place and, despite efforts to keep up these links, changes and additions are constant across the Internet.  In addition to these, it is recommended that you try searching on your own.  Go to your Internet browser then, using the search engine of your choice, conduct an Internet search on such terms as "proposal writing," "grant writing," "private funding," "public funding," etc.  Also use terms specific to your project or visit other educational institutions that have similar programs.

STARTING PLACES AND LINKS TO OTHER SITES

The Foundation Center’s User-Friendly Guide to Funding Research And Resources
http://fdncenter.org/learn/ufg

The Foundation Center is considered one of the foremost resource organizations for non-profits and foundations. This site offers invaluable information on how to research private funders, understanding the difference between funders, and the proposal writing process.

Grant Makers on the Web
http://fdncenter.org/funders/grantmaker/index.html

Foundation Center's Index to find funders and their guidelines. Explanations of private foundations, corporate grantmakers, grant-making public charities and community foundations with links to foundation websites.

Short course for proposal writing
http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html

Foundation Center's short course on how to write proposals.

GrantsWeb - The Society of Research Administrators
http://www.srainternational.org/newweb/grantsweb/index.cfm

While manymuch of the resources linked to this site focus on public funding, there are also very useful private funder links as well.

Directory of Charitable Grantmakers
http://www.foundations.org/grantmakers.html

Another listing of funders on the Web.

GuideStar
http://www.guidestar.org/index.jsp

This site offers information 990 documents for non-profits and foundation in the United States.

Polaris Grants Central
http://polarisgrantscentral.net/

Polaris specializes in organizational grant programs working with schools to get grant funding for curriculum development. They also work with non-profits and health care organizations to fund clinics or health education programs. Polaris provides step-by-step, how-to instruction and training in grants acquisition, they publish how-to books and other publications, provide technical assistance and support services to help people acquire grant funding, and they provide online advice on their Web site.

Distance Learning Funding Sourcebook
http://www.technogrants.com/

This site is primarily used to sell a book, but they have some useful overview information on a variety of private foundations and corporate foundations, as well as pointers on how to write a proposal.

Non-Profit Gateway
http://www.nonprofit.gov/

This is an excellent place to begin your search for public, governmental funding. They offer a variety of links and search options.

Index of International Funders
http://www.tgci.com/intl/

A valuable index if your project has an international connection.

LINKS FROM OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT/FUNDRAISING OFFICES

Gain insights from other fund seeking professionals at campuses all across the United States.

NCURA
http://www.ncura.edu/resources/default.htm

National Council of University Research Administrators, includes a listing of Sponsored Research offices at campuses across the U. S.

Cornell University
http://www.osp.cornell.edu/

Office of Sponsored Programs

University of Virginia
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/research/sponsors.html

Research Sponsors

University of Wyoming
http://internet-prospector.org/project.html

Internet Prospector -- some focus on private funding resources

RESOURCES FOR PROPOSAL PLANNING AND GRANT WRITING

Several funding and fund-seeking agencies have offered their experience and insights to assist grant writers in their efforts. Always remember that there are distinct differences between private and public funding organizations, but each and every funding organization has their own differences as well. These general tips on proposal writing will be very useful, but it is most important that you read, understand and follow the proposal preparation instructions for the specific funder to which you are ultimately applying.

The Foundation Center's Proposal Writing Short Course
http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html

Grant writing short course
http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html

Proposal Writing:  Internet Resources
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Memorial/grants/proposal.htm

An extensive index to websites filled with helpful suggestions and tips about the grant writing process offered by the University of Wisconsin--Madison.

Basic Elements of Grant Writing
http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html

Suggestions from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Some Tips on Proposal Writing
http://scholar.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/grants/proposal.html

Suggestions from the Office of Grants at CUNY.
 
A Guide for Proposal Writing
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf9891/nsf9891.htm#table

A comprehensive guide from the National Science Foundation.

Grant Writing Guide
www.npguides.org/

Offered as a service by SeaCoast.

Proposal Writing Tips
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/grants/writing.html

Offered by the University of Richmond's Office of Foundation and Government Grants.

Writing a Successful Grant Proposal
http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm

Although this has many items oriented to grant seeking in Minnesota, many tips are useful to everyone.
 

And many, many more...

 
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Please direct any questions, suggestions or comments to Barbara Gregg at greggb@mscd.edu.