Main Street Community Foundation recognizes the vital role nonprofit organizations play in creating vibrant and healthy communities. They are a driving economic force and provide essential programs that improve the conditions and opportunities for local residents. We are here to help.

Nonprofit Meeting Room

Main Street Community Foundation makes our event/meeting room available to nonprofits in our communities. The meeting room is not available to for-profit organizations or for individual use. Please contact Julie Matthews, Administrative Assistant at julie@mainstreetfoundation.org or 860.583.6363 regarding availability of the room for the day/time of your event/meeting. Please indicate the number of people likely to attend, so we can ensure it would be an appropriate fit.

Grantee Resources

We provide numerous resources and guidelines for the Foundation's grantees on the Grantee Resources page of the website. This page information on grant reporting, links to the online grants center and information on how to communicate your award, including a sample news release and media distribution list. 
 

Main Street Community Foundation is pleased to provide nonprofits access to numerous online resources that may help them in their growth and management as they work to strengthen our communities. These links are intended only as a courtesy, as we cannot vouch for the content or accuracy of the individual sites.

Nonprofit Information

GuideStar - GuideStar is a searchable online database for donors and organizations with information on nonprofits.
Charity Navigator - Charity Navigator provides evaluations and ratings for nonprofits.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Tax information on all nonprofits. 

Local/Regional/National Associations

Connecticut Council for Philanthropy - The center for philanthropy in Connecticut, serving all grantmakers in our state.
Council on Foundations - Provides the opportunity, leadership and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance and sustain their ability to advance the common good.
Foundation Center - A global database that provides a guide for philanthropic giving and grantmakers.

Local Nonprofit Assistance Providers

The Alliance: The Voice of Community Nonprofits - A membership organization that advances excellence in community-based nonprofits through advocacy and capacity building.
The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth and Opportunity: TANGO - An organization created between nonprofit and for-profit organizations to drive innovation, create cost savings, and deliver mission advancement; provides resources and trainings in various areas.
Third Sector New England - Provides management and leadership resources to fellow nonprofits.

News and Media

Connecticut Mirror - Nonprofit, nonpartisan news source reporting on state government policies and politics.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Newspaper and magazine for the nonprofit world.
The Philanthropy Journal - Serves nonprofits and their supporters by helping them tell their stories and increase their capacity through nonprofit news, resources, announcements and job listings.
The NonProfit Times - A business publication for the nonprofit world.

Professional Development

NonprofitReady - A signature program of the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation with a mission to enable nonprofit professionals and volunteers to develop their career and do more good by providing high quality, relevant online learning resources at zero cost.

Fundraising/Grantwriting

Association of Fundraising Professionals - AFP is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions; provides numerous resources and trainings.
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Connecticut Chapter - The local chapter of AFP providing resources and trainings.
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain Nonprofit Resource Center & Lending Library - Part of the Foundation's Capacity Building Initiative to provide nonprofit organizations access to useful and relevant resources that support their work. 
Grassroots Fundraising - Provides tips and tools for effective fundraising.
The Grantsmanship Center - Offers training and publications to help organizations plan solid programs, write compelling grant proposals and create opportunities.

Board Development and Management

BoardSource - Provides effective board management tools.
Leaders on Board - Trains individuals interested in serving on a nonprofit board of directors and then connects them to organizations in the community looking for new board members.

Strategic Planning and Management

Center for Nonprofit Management - Resources that assist in strategic planning, day-to-day tasks and management of nonprofits.
Free Management Library - Provides a variety of links to help nonprofits with strategic planning and management.

Data

Connecticut Data Collaborative - Central portal to access a wide range of data related to residents of Connecticut from federal, state, local and private resources.
National Center for Charitable Statistics - The national clearinghouse of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States.

Legal

Nonprofit Raffles - Information on running bingo games, bazaars and raffles in the state of Connecticut; includes forms that must be filled out.  
Pro Bono Partnership - Free legal assistance for nonprofits.

Nonprofit Consultants

New England Nonprofit Consultant Directory -  A directory that assist nonprofits in their search for consultants located in New England for various projects.

Technology 

TechSoup - Connects nonprofits with donated and discounted technology products.
IdealWare - Provides thoroughly researched, impartial and accessible resources about software to help nonprofits make smart technology decisions.
Charity Advantage - Helps nonprofits with website development, computer donations and computer purchase assistance programs.

Communications/Marketing

The Communications Network - Helps nonprofits communicate more effectively by providing web-based seminars and links to publications among other things.
Canva - A graphic-design website that uses a drag-and-drop format with tools that can be used for both web and print media design and graphics.
Piktochart - A web-based infographic application which allows users without graphic design experience to easily create infographics and visuals.
GIMP - A free and open-source graphics editor used for image retouching and editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats and other specialized tasks.
Bitly - A URL shortening service and a link management platform. 

Additional Resources

Charity Channel - Publishes books for nonprofit practitioners and provides original articles published by nonprofit professionals.
Raise-Funds - Provides nonprofits with articles, discussions, curated content and other resources about how to raise money, nurture relationships and build support.
Blue Avocado - An online magazine fueled by a bimonthly newsletter designed to provide practical, tactical tips and tools to nonprofit leaders; includes financial resources and practical know-how shared by experts and peers.