Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations
Selected Resources
Researching Individuals
Databases
- Hoover's Online*
Go to the PEOPLE Section of companies in your area to research major officers as potential donors.
You can also build an Executive List to prospect individuals - see BUILD A LIST > PEOPLE.
- Business & Company ASAP*
Enter the individual you are researching for articles about that person.
Read Crain's Chicago Business in the LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING JOURNAL section. Read Crain's news on area business persons by entering 'On The Move' in the LIMIT TO ENTRIES CONTAINING THE WORDS section.
- Chicago Tribune*
Search the Chicago Tribune for articles on local people and companies.
Search your favorite Column of the paper ("Grants and Giving" for example) in Advanced Search.
- Chicago Sun Times* and Daily Herald*
Also useful for articles on local individuals.
- ReferenceUSA*
Go to the Residential section of the database and research the home address of prospective funders with listed phone numbers.
- WealthEngine
Research prospective individuals for real estate, charitable donations and board memberships.
For use in the Library only. You may be asked for a User Name (donorsforum) and Password (purple).
Reference Sources
- Book of Lists. Crain Communications
Ref HC 108 .C4 B665
See 'People' section - Fortunate 100; Highest-paid non-CEO's; Who's Who; 40 Under 40.
- Community Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
Ref HA 203 .S66
Where do the wealthiest people live?
- Mini Rich Register - Illinois
Phil Center Ref HC 79 .W4 M56
Richest individuals in Illinois. Must have net worth estimate of at least $25 million and have a listed office address.
- Who's Who Publications
These are excellent resources for seeking out prospects. Note the Geographical Indexes at the back of the volumes.
- Who's Who in America - Ref E 176 .W642
- Who's Who in Finance and Business - Ref HF 3023 .A2 W52
- Who's Who in the Midwest - Ref E 176 .W644
- Who's Who of American Women - Ref E 176 .W647
Web Sites
- Crain's Chicago Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com
See Crain's Lists and People/Profiles.
- Google
http://www.google.com
This search engine can be very useful when you are researching individuals.
- Yahoo Finance
http:finance.yahoo.com
What are the stock holdings of your prospect? Select "Major Holders" on the left side of the company record. This search may result in other prospects as well!
Researching Foundations
- Illinois Funding Source
Find and research Illinois foundations, including corporate, that match your mission and program goals.
- Foundation Directory Online
Find and research national foundations, including corporate, that are headquartered in Illinois or give in Illinois.
- GuideStar.org
http://www.guidestar.org
Read the 990 tax returns of prospective foundation funders to research who they have given to in the past.
Researching Companies
- Book of Lists. Crain Communications
Ref HC 108 .C4 B665
Top businesses in the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Book of Lists. Business Ledger
Ref HC 108 .C4 B666
Top businesses in the west and northwest suburbs.
- Hoover's Online*
A good general overview of a company with information on company history, products/services, personnel, competitors, financials.
BUILD A LIST and run a search on the towns you serve.
- Business & Company ASAP *and Business Source Elite*
Read articles about companies and top executives.
- ReferenceUSA*
Go to the Business section of the database and research small and medium-sized companies in your area as prospective funders.
- Standard & Poor's Company Research*
Research public and private companies.
- Wall Street Journal*
Retrieve company information from this business newspaper or read the daily paper on your computer under the Publications section.
* All these databases can be accessed from off campus. You will need a COD Library card to access these databases remotely.
Other Resources
- College of DuPage Library Catalog
- To search for specific nonprofit topics in books and audiovisual materials in the Library, access the 'Materials for Checkout' section on the Philanthropy Center web site. The major heading to search by SUBJECT is "Fund Raising."
- Search the C.O.D. Library Catalog by Keyword for other nonprofit topics not listed above. For example, try searching by Keyword to find books on specific subjects such as "Annual Giving," "Major Gifts" or "Prospect Research."
- APRA - Asssociation of Professional Researchers for Advancement
http://www.aprahome.org
Useful links to advancement resources. See the APRA Statement of Ethics @ ABOUT APRA > PRIVACY & ETHICS.
- David Lamb's Prospect Research Page
http://www.lambresearch.com
Useful links to prospect research
Internet sites.
- PRSPCT-L
http://charitychannel.com/archives/prspct-l.html
An electronic mail list for discussion of prospect research issues.
Judy Wagner, Reference Librarian
(630) 942-2021
wagnerj@cod.edu
Reference Desk: (630) 942-3364
