Established in 1956, and today supported by more than 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. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance philanthropy at every level. The Center's web site receives more than 47,000 visits each day, and thousands of people gain access to free resources in its five regional library/learning centers and its national network of about 400 Cooperating Collections. One of such collections is available at the Seaside Branch of the Monterey County Free Libraries.  We also have the database available at the King City Branch.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Cooperating Collection?
Cooperating Collections are free funding information centers in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit resource centers that provide a core collection of Foundation Center publications and a variety of supplementary materials and services in areas useful to grantseekers.

What is available?
As a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, the Seaside Library provides a core collection of print and electronic resources, and related reference services, of value to persons seeking scholarships, funding, grants for nonprofits and individuals, and more.

Print Resources - current editions
Board Member's Book. 
The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing 
The Foundation Center's Guide to Winning Proposals 
The Foundation Directory, Part 1, 2, 3 and Supplement
Foundation Fundamentals. A Guide for Grantseekers 
Foundation Grants to Individuals
Guide to Funding for International and Foreign Programs 
National Directory of Corporate Giving 
Securing Your Organization's Future 

Online Resources
The FOUNDATION DIRECTORY ONLINE is the Foundation Center’s online  database for nonprofits. It contains four files: Search Grantmakers, Search Companies, Search Grants, Search 990s. The grantmakers file can be searched by field of interest, geographic focus, types of support and many other categories. The grants file can be searched by subject, recipient type, year authorized, types of support and more.
          Please ask at the Seaside or King City Reference Desk if you would like to use this database. No need to make an appointment in advance. No remote access available.

The FOUNDATION GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS ONLINE is the Foundation Center’s online database for individuals. 
           Please ask at the Seaside Branch Library Reference Desk if you would like to use this database. No need to make an appointment in advance. No remote access available.

           Funding Resources at the Seaside Branch Library
           This brochure may be freely printed and distributed in its original form.

Who can use the Foundation Collection?
Anyone is free to use the materials during our regular business hours at no charge.

Can I check out materials?
Unfortunately not. This is a non-lending collection. You can, however make photocopies of materials for 15 ¢ a page. Selected titles are available for check out if the library owns additional copies.

Where are you located and what are your hours?

                Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm
                Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Do you provide help?
Our Reference Librarians can give a brief introduction to the online databases. Training sessions are available occasionally. 

A Special Offer for California Nonprofits Serving Latino Communities

The Monterey County Free Libraries are pleased to distribute Guia Para Escribir Propuestas (Guide to Proposal Writing), 5th edition, to California individuals and organizations serving Latino communities. The books are available free while supplies last, thanks to the generous support from The James Irvine Foundation and The Foundation Center of San Francisco. This Spanish translation of The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing, 5th edition, provides detailed instructions on preparing successful grant proposals. To receive your free copy, contact your local Monterey County Free Library or call 831 883-7564 for more information.