West Virginia University’s Downtown Campus Library is offering a new service for nonprofit groups and social services agencies seeking grants to serve their communities.

The Downtown Campus Library recently became a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center of New York. In this new role, the Library will serve as a hub for the Foundation Center’s resources and provide access to detailed information on grant makers and how to apply for grants.

These materials are open for use by individuals from nonprofits and social service agencies, along with those in the University community.

“The WVU Libraries are excited to join the network of Cooperating Collections,” said Penny Pugh, Head of Reference. “With looming federal and state budget cuts, the role of philanthropy has never been more important. These resources will better equip nonprofits and social service agencies to secure financial support for crucial programs that serve the people of West Virginia.”

The Foundation Center’s core collection includes the Foundation Directory Online, an online directory profiling more than 100,000 U.S. grant makers; Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, an online database of foundation and public charity programs that fund students, artists, researchers, and other individual grant seekers; Philanthropy In/Sight, a tool that combines the Google Maps interface with the Foundation Center’s wealth of data into a powerful, visual asset; print directories; and proposal writing guides.

The Downtown Campus Library will offer workshops for University classes on how to effectively use these resources and identify potential funders. Faculty may request a workshop by contacting Penny Pugh at ppugh@wvu.edu (304-293-0334) or Alyssa Wright at Alyssa.wright@mail.wvu.edu (304-293-0337). Public workshops for those not affiliated with WVU will also be offered. The first public workshop is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon April 13 at the Library. Pre-registration is required. Contact Pugh or Wright to register.

Established in 1956, the Foundation Center is the nation’s leading authority on organized philanthropy, serving grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Thousands of people visit the Center’s website each day and are served in its five regional learning centers and its national network of Cooperating Collections.

For more information about Foundation Center resources, visit www.foundationcenter.org.

-WVU-

mm/04/03/13

CONTACT: Monte Maxwell, WVU Libraries
304-293-0306, monte.maxwell@mail.wvu.edu

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