Purpose - Services - Location & Contact Information - Events - Resources

Purpose 

The Funding Information Center (FIC) at Boise Public Library's Main Library is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center. The FIC offers a special collection of reference and circulating materials to assist nonprofit and community-based organizations. Included are books, magazines, videos, databases, and clipping files.

Services Offered and Service Changes

The Library no longer offers technical consulting on grants and nonprofit management issues.  Individuals and groups seeking mentoring and technical assistance are referred to the Idaho Nonprofit Center and the Idaho Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Library staff continues to assist those seeking information on philanthropy, grants, foundations and nonprofit management in the following ways:

• The Library will continue its participation as a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection.
• Access to print and electronic funding information resources from the current collection will continue to be provided, with guidance available from reference staff.
• Funding information reference services continue to be available at the Main Library third floor service desk during open hours, in person or by calling 208-384-4023.
• Questions may also be emailed to Askalibrarian@cityofboise.org; emails will be answered within 24 hours of receipt. 
• Access to the specialized databases from the Foundation Center (Foundation Directory Online and Foundation Grants to Individuals) will continue to be offered at the Library, with assistance available from reference staff.
• Groups and/or organizations desiring an orientation to Funding Information Center resources may call 208-384-4076 to arrange a visit.  Please note that priority will be given to requests from individuals and organizations physically located within the Boise city limits and Boise Area of Impact.

Location and Contact Information

The FIC collection is located on the third floor of the Main Library and is available during regular library hours. Computers are available to search the Foundation Center's database (see link below) and for searching the Internet for funding opportunities.

For information about the collection call the 3rd floor desk at 384-4023, or Reference at 384-4076, or e-mail askalibrarian@cityofboise.org

Events

Nonprofit Resource Thursdays

Third Thursdays, 4-6 p.m., Main Library third floor.

Learn how to start a nonprofit organization, find funding resources or volunteers, or get other technical assistance at these free monthly drop-in sessions. You can also get tips on how to use a searchable database of over 150,000 grant opportunities.

Brought to you by the Boise Public Library and the Idaho Nonprofit Center.

Resources

Foundation Center Databases:

• Foundation Directory Online Professional database (In Library use only)  Connect Now!
• Foundation Grants to Individuals database (In Library use only) Connect Now!

Learn more about the Foundation Center at http://foundationcenter.org/.

Bibliographies & Subject Guides:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/Research/Funding_Information_Center/Guides.shtml

Websites:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/eCollections/Websites/charities.shtml

Small Business Resources and Websites:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/eCollections/Websites/business.asp

F.I.C. Files:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/Research/Funding_Information_Center/fundingsearch.asp

Magazines:

• The Foundation Center's Catalog of Nonprofit Literature (online):  http://lnps.fdncenter.org/
• ProQuest Central subscription database:  http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/eCollections/Databases/Topic/Magazines.asp
• For library holdings, search the library catalog and use the advanced search to limit the format to magazines.  Funding Information Center magazines are on the 3rd floor of the Main Library.

Southwest Idaho Contributions Managers:
click here for directory (PDF) posted 2/4/2010