Other Funding Sources

As funding needs increase, many libraries seek grants from foundations, corporations, endowments and government agencies. Local businesses are another option. Your library board can solicit funds from these businesses directly or determine if the business has a community support program.

You and your library board might also want to explore partnerships with civic organizations for special products or fund-raising activities. Possible groups include the Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Jaycees, Lions, League of Women Voters and local youth groups.

Valuable resources for those seeking information on grant funds are materials produced by the Foundation Center. This is a national service organization founded and supported by foundations to provide information on foundation and corporate giving. Among its primary activities are publishing reference books and offering online searchable databases on grants.

There are five Foundation Center libraries in the United States. These are located in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Cleveland, and San Francisco. In addition, Foundation Center Cooperating Collections are located in each state to provide a core reference collection of Foundation Center publications, other materials and services useful to grant seekers. Foundation Center Cooperation Collections are available in Montana. Go tohttp://www.fdncenter.org/collections/ to see the latest listings.

Foundation Center - Cooperating Collections