Foundation Grants

Nonprofit Services

Grant Information

--Last Updated 3/5/2007

Foundations:
    Foundation giving has decreased by 5% between 2001 and 2002 to $15.9 billion total¹. Foundations generally give out less money than government grants, the medium being $25,000, but usually giving less than $10,000. Still Foundations gave out 127,728 grants in 2002¹ which makes this a great source for funding. Most foundations want to support programs and services rather than building and operating funds.

There are 5 main types of foundations:

Community Foundations: Mainly funded by bequests and are developed to address problems and interests in a certain community (state, zip, city).

National General Purpose Foundations: Large foundations that give in several subject areas, give grants from broad-scale plans, look for highly visible and creative projects. (Examples of a National Foundation: Ford Foundation, Bank of America Foundation...)

Special Purpose Foundations: These foundations are set-up to fund only a specific interest, and will evaluate proposals based on how much impact your program will have on their concern.

Family Foundations: Usually directed at a certain geographical area or interest. These foundations are susceptible to the influence of board members, friends, and popular causes.

Corporate Foundations: Fund non-controversial grants, usually only give in areas of operation, give to invest in their community and to improve relationships with their stake/stockholders.

Library Resources: How to find Foundation Funding Opportunities.

FC Search 10.0
    SP (CD-ROM Computer Station, also Available on-line)
    The Foundation Center's FC search is a CD-ROM product that searches funding opportunities by topic, geography, asset size, and more. The results include brief information about the foundation, grant requirements, limitations, application process, and includes listing of past grants.

The Foundation Directory 2006
    R061 SP - On Display "Nonprofit Reference"
    The Foundation Directory offers information on the nation's top 10,000 foundations by total giving. It also includes descriptions on over 51,000 selected grants.

Foundation 1000
    R061 Foundation SP - On Display "Nonprofit Reference"
    In-depth profiles of the largest 1000 U.S. Foundations.

Foundation Center's Online Foundation Finder
    http://lnp.fdncenter.org/finder/
    Displays contact information only.

By Topic:

National Guide to Funding Series
    SP On Display - "Nonprofit Reference"
    Topics include: Aging; AIDS; Arts & Culture; Environment & Animal Welfare; Education; Health; Libraries & Information; Religion

Grants for...Series
    R638.15224 -SP On Display - "Nonprofit Reference"     Topics include: Arts, Culture & the Humanities; Elementary & Secondary Education; Environmental Protection & Animal Welfare; Foreign & International Programs; Health; Higher Education; Libraries & Information Services; Mental Health, Addictions & Crisis Programs; Religion; Physically & Mentally Disabled; Women & Girls; and Minorities

By Geography:

Corporate Funders Operating in Missouri 4th ed.
    R 361.778 Corporate SP - On Display "Nonprofit Reference"
    Listing of Corporations operating in Missouri and provides contact information, contribution information, guidelines, interest, type of support, and names of key executives.

Directory of Missouri Grant makers (6th ed.)
    R658.1522 Directory - SP On Display - "Nonprofit Reference"
    (Older editions are available for checkout)
    A listing of Foundations that give money in Missouri, and provides some information about the Foundation's size, interests, total giving, and more

¹ The Foundation Center. Foundation Giving Trends: Update on Funding Priorities. Foundation Today Series 2004 Edition. USA, 2004.
© 2005-2007 St. Charles City-County Library District

Home - Electronic Resources - Catalog - About - Programs - Reading - Library Talk - Picks - Internet
Business - Government - History Genealogy - Nonprofit - YA - Kids - Friends - Foundation