Resources for Wisconsin Nonprofit Organizations
Libraries | Workshops | Governmental | Foundations | Services | Associations
Libraries and Information Centers
(or Foundation Center Cooperating Collections)
Three Wisconsin libraries belong to a network of more than 200 reference collections providing information on foundation and corporate giving. These collections were established by the New York-based Foundation Center, an independent national service organization in New York, to provide an authoritative source of information on foundation and corporate giving. The Wisconsin locations for these resources include the following:
Grants Information Collection Madison, Wisconsin
Located at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the collection is available to all and at no charge. Its Web pages are extensive, and are very much focused on funding information resources for both organizations and individuals.
Located at Marquette University, and the publication site of Foundations in Wisconsin, in both print and electronic format. (See its Web site for a free demo.) Offers regular orientation programs and is a must-see particularly for Milwaukee-area nonprofits. The Wisconsin Common Application Form is at this site, along with an online outline, How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in Wisconsin - including links to necessary forms.
Foundation Collection: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Located at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Library. Resources and services similar to the other libraries described above. Visitors may also schedule appointments for assistance.
Seminars and Workshops
Most of the listings above under LIBRARIES AND LEARNING offer special learning opportunities in the form of both formal classroom activities and distance learning programs. See also the Grants Information Collection's Web page for Wisconsin Workshops & Seminars for other learning opportunities throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin State Agencies and Programs
Start here for links to state government, education, business, and other information resources, with its links to city, county, and local government and community web sites in Wisconsin. Try the Subject directory or Agency Index.
Wisconsin State and Local Government Funding and Assistance Programs
This site is for organizations and individuals looking for funding and assistance programs of Wisconsin State and local governments and related agencies. Private funding sources are not included. Appropriate for business finance, technology grants, human service assistance programs, housing options, grants for environmental programs and projects, and more.
Funding and Foundations
Wisconsin Community Foundations
A listing by city, with contact information and links to those with web access. The Donors Forum (described above) also has a listing.
Wisconsin Common Application Form
An application form provided online and used commonly by a number of Wisconsin foundations. The list of foundations using the form is provided.
Directories and Databases
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory[Choose Member Login]
Available both in print and web-based format from the Funding Information Center at Marquette University, and available at the Foundation Center Cooperating Libraries - and most public libraries - in Wisconsin. A free demo online is available at the publication web site.
FD Online
A comprehensive databases of over 80,000 private and corporate grantmakers and grant records produced by the Foundation Center. Flexible and easy to search. Both online and CD versions allow searching for foundations not only in Wisconsin, but those outside of Wisconsin which fund nationally. Free access to available to either FD Online or FC Search at all Wisconsin Cooperating Collections of the Foundation Center.
990-PF Foundation Tax Returns
Demystifying the 990-PF A clear and concise tutorial about foundation tax returns and what they tell.
Foundation Center: 990 PF Search An easy search engine when name, ZIP, or EIN number are known.
Guidestar.org. This site provides tax return information along with a search engine for finding foundation information online.
Proposal Writing
Proposal Writing Short Course An online proposal-writing guide from the Foundation Center.
Proposal Writing: Internet Resources: A list of web resources on proposal writing maintained by the Grants Information Center.
Nonprofit Services
Provides Dane County, Wisconsin nonprofit organizations with assistance for their technology needs by providing technical support, technology planning, training, and consulting services. Provides internet hosting and email services, among others.
Donors Forum: Nonprofit Resources
In this list one can find the Common Grant Application, Grantwriting Tips and more. An additional Nonprofit Resources Links takes one to Community Resources, National Associations, Technical Assistance, and related sites.
Nonprofit Portal of Greater Milwaukee
The purpose of this portal is "to strengthen the knowledge and skills of nonprofit organizations in this community through the collaborative development and use of on-line technologies." A project of the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with the active participation of other organizations such as the Donors Forum of Wisconsin, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, and others. Features numerous Milwaukee-area nonprofit resources such as technology assistance, nonprofit events, and a (Milwaukee-focused) Community Information Database.
WisBar.org: Nonprofit Business Assistance Program
Nonprofit organizations through this assistance program can receive up to two hours of free counseling from a business lawyer.
Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Members of this association share time and expertise in community service. Check this website for posted member opportunities.
Wisconsin.gov: Applying for an EIN and the SS4 Form
Instructions to help one file for a federal Employer Identification Number. The SS4 form is the form to fill out for applying for the number. This number is often necessary for filling out other application forms required of nonprofit organizations.
Associations
AFP: Association of Fundraising Professionals
There are four chapters in Wisconsin: the Greater Madison, Greater Milwaukee, Northeast, and Upper Mississippi Valley chapters. See the organization's site map to locate state chapter contact information. (Note: the Donors Forum of Wisconsin also has information on the AFP at its Community Resources link. Formerly the National Association of Fund Raising Executives.
A regional association of grantmakers which provides a substantial number of services and resources to its members and others. Has much information of interest to grantseekers as well. See its special reports on giving in the Milwaukee area, plus Wisconsin Giving Report 2003: An Overview of Wisconsin's Charitable Giving and its Economic Benefits of Wisconsin's Nonprofit Sector report available at its Latest Trends and Data site.
Wisconsin Nonprofits Association
Officially launched in the early months of 2007, the goal of this new, promising organization "is to serve, promote, and represent Wisconsin′s nonprofits with a unified voice, strengthening all nonprofits′ effectiveness as they work to improve the quality of life for Wisconsin′s residents."