Foundation Directory Online (FDO) Overview
The Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a comprehensive and powerful research tool designed to assist fundraisers, nonprofits, and individuals in identifying and connecting with potential grant makers. Here’s a detailed look at what FDO does and its key features:
What FDO Does
FDO serves as a vast database that provides detailed information on over 189,000 grant maker profiles, including nearly 100,000 foundations, grantmaking public charities, and corporate donors in the United States.
Key Features
Extensive Grant Maker Profiles
- FDO includes profiles of private and independent foundations, corporate foundations, U.S. Federal funders, public charities, and international foundations. Each profile contains detailed information such as the foundation’s application process, the number and amounts of grants awarded annually, and recently awarded grants along with their recipients.
Advanced Search Capabilities
- Users can search the database using various criteria, including grant maker name, geographic region, fields of interest, recipient type, support type (such as fellowships, scholarships, research grants, and travel awards), grant amount, and names of trustees and officers.
Financial and Operational Data
- The database is enriched with financial data from IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF, as well as information from grantmakers’ websites, annual reports, and other philanthropic sources. This ensures that the data is accurate and up-to-date.
Real-Time Updates
- New and updated grantmaker, company, and grant data are added weekly. Additionally, grantmaker-related news, job opportunities, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), publications, and articles are updated daily. Social media content is also updated in real-time.
Additional Resources
- FDO provides links to foundation websites, recently filed IRS 990 forms, listings of recently announced RFPs, and access to Foundation Center newsletters. These resources help users stay informed about the latest developments in the philanthropic sector.
User Support
- For those new to the database, FDO offers brief 1:1 virtual training sessions to help users maximize the tool’s potential. Real-time assistance is also available from library staff through various channels such as phone, email, and website chat.
Accessibility and Pricing
- While the full version of FDO requires a subscription, there is also a “Quick Start” version available at no cost, which allows users to look up information on U.S. foundations by name, EIN, location, and assets or giving range.
- For more advanced features, FDO offers various subscription levels, each with different pricing tiers that cater to the specific needs of nonprofit organizations.
In summary, the Foundation Directory Online is an indispensable tool for anyone seeking grants or funding opportunities. Its extensive database, advanced search capabilities, and real-time updates make it a valuable resource for fundraisers and nonprofit organizations.