Whether you're trying to identify an effective nonprofit or choose a focus for your family fund, there are many resources to help you learn more about philanthropy.
Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance: An organization that advances high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public.
www.bbb.org/charity
The Chronicle of Philanthropy: A newspaper and website for charity leaders, fundraisers, grantmakers, and other people involved in philanthropy.
www.philanthropy.com
Council on Foundations: A membership association of more than 2,100 grantmaking foundations and corporations.
www.cof.org
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers: A network of 33 regional associations of grantmakers.
www.givingforum.org
The Foundation Center: An organization that seeks to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy.
www.fdncenter.org
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO): A coalition of grantmakers committed to building strong and effective nonprofit organizations.
www.geofunders.org
Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington: The regional association of grantmakers that serves the funding community in Oregon and SW Washington.
www.gosw.org
GuideStar: Gathers and publicizes information about nonprofit organizations.
www2.guidestar.org
Independent Sector: A forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world.
www.independentsector.org
National Center for Family Philanthopy: An organization that seeks to promote philanthropic values, vision and excellence across generations of donors and donor families.
www.ncfp.org
Nonprofit Association of Oregon: NAO supports Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life for people at home and abroad. www.tacs.org/nonprofit_association_of_oregon
Oregon Foundation Databook: An annual directory/database of Oregon grantmaking foundations published by C&D Publishing.
http://www.foundationdatabook.com/Pages/or/or1.html
Oregon Involved: A resource for finding and connecting with nonprofits.
www.oregoninvolved.org
Women's Philanthropy Institute: A program of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University that seeks to help women understand their full potential and capabilities as financial donors.
http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/womensphilanthropyinstitute/