Information on foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities. Available online at Central Library only. See staff at Reference Desk, Central Library, for assistance.
Learn how to best approach your search for a grant as an individual.
Newspapers, Magazines and Newsletters
View detailsHide detailsBoard Member, a newsletter published by BoardSource
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Grassroots Fundraising Journal
Nonprofit Quarterly
On the Web
Data & Statistics
(CRI) gathers, analyzes, interprets, and shares national and local data through partnerships with nonprofit and neighborhood groups in an effort to assist local and regional nonprofit leaders with decision making, grant writing, and program evaluation.
Access hundreds of measures of child well-being across the country.
From the Michigan Department of Community Health
Your source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
Evaluation
A dashboard provides you with key indicators of critical information, so you can make effective decisions quickly.
This handbook provides a framework for thinking about evaluation as a relevant and useful program tool. It was written primarily for project directors who have direct responsibility for the ongoing evaluation of W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded projects, but it is a useful guide for others as well.
Financial Management
Excerpted from: Coping with Cutbacks: The Nonprofit Guide to Success When Times Are Tight, published by Fieldstone Alliance.
Official guide from the Internal Revenue Service, covering all recordkeeping and tax exempt regulations.
Handy summaries, forms, and sample documents covering a variety of financial topics.
Brief description of the financial responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors.
PowerPoint slides from a presentation by Spectrum Nonprofit Services. Begins in-depth review of the six stages of budgeting: Setting goals, estimating costs, forecasting income, bridging the gap, approving the budget, and implementing & monitoring the budget.
PowerPoint slides from the second part of a presentation given by Spectrum Nonprofit Services. Concludes the six stages of budgeting (see above).
Foundations & Grants
The mission of the Kalamazoo based Arcus Foundation is to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race, and to ensure conservation and respect of the great apes.
For twenty years, Bread for the Journey’s model of grassroots micro-granting has helped to make communities more just, vital, and whole. Bread for the Jouney provides one-time only seed grants to people who have a dream and believe that what they are doing is an important offering or service to the community.
A membership organization of more than 2,000 grantmaking foundations and giving programs worldwide that provides leadership expertise, legal services and networking opportunities, among other services, to members and to the general public.
Established in 1956, and today supported by close to 600 foundations, the Foundation Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy, connecting nonprofits and the grantmakers supporting them to tools they can use and information they can trust.
Foundation Finder offers basic information on grantmakers in the U.S. including private foundations, community foundations, grantmaking public charities, and corporate giving programs. For more robust information including information on foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities please use the Foundation Directory Online which is a subscription database that is available online at ONE place in Central Library only.
Search requests for proposals posted in Philanthropy News Digest.
An excellent Michigan collection of resources related to funders, financial aid, and fundraising.
Providing grant information to current and prospective Health & Human Services grantees
Distributes funds to programs and services that have the greatest need in the community.
An independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries & museums.
The Mission of the Kalamazoo based Irving S. Gilmore Foundation is to support and enrich the cultural, social, and economic life of Greater Kalamazoo. The Priorities of the Foundation include: The Arts, Culture, and Humanities; Human Services; Education; Community Development; Health and Well-Being.
The Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the Spirit of Community and quality of life in the greater Kalamazoo area through its stewardship of permanently endowed funds. Founded on the simple idea that it is our responsibility to look after one another, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation is nurtured and sustained by the people of the greater Kalamazoo area. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations have established 800 charitable funds at the Community Foundation.
Find resources concerning philanthropy, grant writing tools, frequently asked questions, and volunteer opportunities.
Non-profit guides are free, Web-based grant-writing tools for non-profit organizations, charitable, educational, public organizations, and other community-minded groups.Our guides are designed to assist established US-based non-profits through the grant-writing process
A philanthropy devoted exclusively to health & health care.
Fundraising
Local affiliate of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Donate products or register your nonprofit to receive free or reduced goods.
Free web-based grant writing resources.
Comprehensive grant writing website.
Grantsmanship Training Program covers researching grants, writing grant proposals, and negotiating with funding sources.
Provides fundraising and philanthropy training plus resources and research. The Center on Philanthropy is moving philanthropy forward in the 21st century. Cutting-edge programs and initiatives provide nonprofits, donors and scholars with the resources they need to make a difference.
A clearinghouse of fundraising information and provides training in grantsmanship and proposal writing for nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Provides conditional seed capital and business training essential to the launch of a microenterprise.
Governance
From the Michigan Attorney General's office, provides clear and concise information about the obligations of potential and current Charity Board Members.
BoardConnect is a nonprofit board training and matching service that builds the leadership skills of nonprofit and community members.
An online tool designed to connect nonprofit boards and new leaders. If you're an individual interested in board service or a nonprofit looking for a new board member ... this is a good place to start.
BoardSource is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. Its highly acclaimed programs and services mobilize boards so that organizations fulfill their missions, achieve their goals, increase their impact, and extend their influence.
Selected articles on capacity building plus other tools and resources from Feildstone Alliance.
Provides easy-to-access, clutter-free, comprehensive resources regarding the leadership and management of groups and organizations. Content is relevant to the vast majority of people, whether they are in large or small for-profit or nonprofit organizations.
Human Resources
Free download from Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN).
The 501 Alliance helps hundreds of agencies just like yours meet their obligations to employees under state unemployment compensation regulations and is an alternative to the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA).
What are the guidelines for considering an internal candidate? What if he or she is not a perfect fit?
Provided by Community Legal Resources.
Opportunity Knocks is the national online job site focused exclusively on the nonprofit community.
Useful for interviewer as well as interviewee.
Kalamazoo County Nonprofit Support Organizations
The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo (ACGK) is an organization that serves the arts community. ACGK networks with other community organizations, including those in education, human services and economic development. In this way, we make the arts part of community dialogue.
Connects people to information, resources and support systems to assist them in resolving crises and meeting life challenges.
KYDNet serves as a catalyst for positive youth development in Kalamazoo County through networking, community partnerships, collaborations, and the delivery of innovative capacity-building training programs for youth-serving organizations, youth workers, and youth in Kalamazoo County. KYDNet’s research-based methods foster continuous improvement of positive youth development in Kalamazoo County.
Legal Considerations
Marketing & Communications
The leading producer of public service announcements.
Advice from TechSoup, The Technology Place for Nonprofits, on managing an online presence for your organization via social networking sites.
31 tips on how Facebook can help nonprofits maximize their online presence.
Free e-update containing tips, practical advice, and innovative ideas.
Personal blog of the Director of Nonprofit Services at Care2, the largest online community of people passionate about making a difference.
Write Result is a full service marketing communication firm dedicated to helping non-profits and small business succeed through customized communications.
Michigan Nonprofit Management Support Organizations
Provides information designed to help manage a nonprofit organization efficiently and effectively.
Established in 1992, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is an academic center for growing the greater good. The center's work involves conducting research, teaching effective practices, and providing pathways to service.
Incorporated in 1990, and governed by a board that represents the diversity of the nonprofit sector, Michigan Nonprofit Association is a leader, a model, an advocate and a support system for nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
NEW offers nonprofits in southeast Michigan resources, technology, and services to meet the challenges of doing more with less. The center also works with other partners to deliver programs outside of southeast Michigan.
The NonProfit Alliance is dedicated serving Calhoun County by strengthening and supporting an effective nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Alliance is a membership organization dedicated to serving, supporting, and strengthening the nonprofit community of Calhoun County, Michigan.
NorthSky Nonprofit Network, connecting Northern Michigan nonprofits with new ideas, resources and each other.
Organizational Management and Leadership Development
A professional association of individuals and organizations devoted to improving the management and governance capacity of nonprofits in order to assist nonprofits in fulfilling their mission.
CompassPoint Nonprofit Services is a consulting, research, and training organization providing nonprofits with management tools, strategies, and resources to lead change in their communities.
Coro trains ethical, diverse civic leaders nationwide. Coro leaders develop skills; master tools needed to engage and empower communities; gain experience in government, business, labor and not-for-profit community organizations; and participate in special community and political problem solving processes.
Selected articles on capacity building plus other tools and resources from Feildstone Alliance.
Comprised of organizations and agencies providing training and technical assistance to Michigan nonprofits and local units of government that are involved in affordable housing and other community development activities.
Public Policy
A brief review of federal tax rules on lobbying.
Clears up common misunderstandings about what is allowed and what isn't. (Login required)
First in series of articles from Philanthropy Journal looking at the policy work of nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. Includes links to Parts 2 and 3.
A fact sheet from OMBWatch, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization.
Tools and rules from Independent Sector.
Starting a Nonprofit
An online tutorial from The Foundation Center that describes 12 tasks you will need to accomplish as part of the process of establishing a nonprofit organization.
From Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA).
This website, posted as a public service by Sandy Deja, author of
"Prepare Your Own 501(c)(3) Application", is designed to help
new non-profit organizations complete the Application for Exempt
Status Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Searchable database containing information about more than 1,000 local human service and faith-based organizations.
One-page list from Center for Nonprofit Management.
Excerpt from Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit.
From Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit.
From Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit.
An IRS "micro" site.
The Michigan Nonprofit Association has developed this website to help new and already-established charitable organizations comply with federal and state laws and regulations.
25-page document that includes a glossary and reference index, and covers topics including mission statements, board responsibilities, and articles of incorporation/bylaws.
Sustainability & Planning
Provides assistance and resources for community-serving nonprofit organizations. As a nonprofit, the Center is uniquely positioned to both understand and respond to questions with practical, affordable suggestions for controlling the risks that threaten a nonprofit’s ability to accomplish its mission.
Technology
Free download from Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN).
Web design assistance for nonprofits.
The Cristina Foundation is a nonprofit organization that matches donated computer equipment with needy schools and nonprofit organizations around the world.
Netsquareds mission is to jumpstart the leading edge of online technological change and to help nonprofits use that edge to change the world! Strives to help nonprofits build the strategic capacity, knowledge and skills needed to put powerful new online tools to work achieving positive changes.
NTEN is the membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes and a community of peers who share technology solutions across the sector and support each other’s work.
SurveyMonkey provides the tools needed to create surveys quickly and easily. Both free and pay versions available.
Bringing technology donations to nonprofits, TechSoup Stock is a technology product philanthropy service just for nonprofits. TechSoup Stock is able to facilitate and distribute multiple product philanthropy programs in a centralized, Web-based platform.
TechSoup.org offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support.
The Digital Divide Network is the Internet's largest community for educators, activists, policy makers and concerned citizens working to bridge the digital divide.
Volunteer Management
Volunteer management training offered by Volunteer Kalamazoo.
The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism. Founded in 1977, Energize has assisted organizations of all types with their volunteer efforts--whether they are health and human service organizations, cultural arts groups, professional associations, or schools.
HandsOn Network is the leading business unit within the Points of Light Institute portfolio and the activating arm. It is the largest volunteer and citizen action network in the nation.
As the only national organization committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education, Campus Compact is a leader in building civic engagement into campus and academic life. Michigan Campus Compact is a state office of the national organization and our membership unites public, private, two-and four-year institutions across the spectrum of higher education.
The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.
Aims to ensure that there are volunteer and community participation opportunities for people through the country and increasingly, around the world.
Healthy communities depend on volunteers - like you! Maybe one of these volunteer opportunities fits your interests.
The Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo has been the center for volunteerism in Kalamazoo since 1966. It is a member of Volunteer Centers of Michigan and the Volunteer Center National Network. Numerous programs and services are available to Kalamazoo County nonprofit organizations that are designed to help them establish or strengthen their volunteer programs.
Works to provide connections between nonprofit organizations and volunteers looking for opportunities to serve their community. The Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo has been the center for volunteerism in Kalamazoo since 1966. It is a member of Volunteer Centers of Michigan and the Volunteer Center National Network. Numerous programs and services are available to Kalamazoo County nonprofit organizations that are designed to help them establish or strengthen their volunteer programs.