NGO Capacity Building

"How To" Section —  Go to this section to view technical assistance information on building an organization (such as fundraising techniques and sources) as well as model reports of interest to other budget researchers.

The Foundation Center — A complete resource for organizations seeking grants.  The site's online library includes an orientation to the grant-seeking process, online training for the fundraising process and proposal writing, and common grant applications.  The Grantmaker Information section includes searchable listings of numerous foundations.

Information for Nonprofits — Information for nonprofits including documents on starting and managing an organization, fundraising, marketing, and using the web.

NGONet — This site provides training, information, guidelines, and support to NGOs in Eastern and Central Europe. It includes a listing of networking web sites and a library of on-line resources (including newsletters, news sources, electronic mailing lists, and discussion groups).

Benton's Best Practices Tool Kit — This is a searchable directory of tools to help nonprofits effectively use new information technology (such as email and the World-Wide Web).

Advocacy Training and Resources — This page, from the Democracy Center site, offers training papers on advocacy and lobbying strategies.

NGO/Civil Society web page — Part of the World Bank web site, the purpose of this site is to keep NGOs and civil society groups informed about opportunities for interaction with the Bank. The site also lists links which assist NGOs in networking and developing their communications capabilities (see useful external links section).

Idealist — This web site, a project of Action Without Borders, provides news, resources and information about and for nonprofits.  It helps to facilitate communication among NGOs and enhance their effectiveness.  Of particular help is the Resources for Nonprofits section, which is a comprehensive listing of NGO capacity-building web resources.  Topics covered include computing and the internet, lobbying, fundraising, management issues, and public relations.

The Advocacy Institute — The Advocacy Institute works to assist NGOs working for social and economic justice.  Their web site includes information on its capacity building program.

ARNOVA-L nonprofit organization discussion list — This moderated Listserv was "established as an international electronic forum for anyone using or interested in nonprofit organizations, voluntary action or philanthropy, to facilitate the rapid sharing of concerns, interests, problems and solutions among interested scholars and practitioners."

Council of Foundations — Includes foundation news, basic information for NGOs seeking grants, and publications which can be ordered on-line.

Links to Foundations' web sites — Extensive list of foundations; part of the Council of Foundations web site.

Foundation-related links — Includes links to resources for international organizations and publications about foundations.

National Democratic Institute — This organization works to promote accountability and transparency in government as well as citizen participation.  Their staff works with a variety of other organizations in many countries.  Numerous reports are available on their web site.

Institute for Development Research — The publications list includes handbooks and guides for NGOs attempting to affect policy and nurture economic development.  These publications can be ordered, but are not available online.

Learning Tools Catalog — This resource, provided by the Center for Living Democracy, is a searchable catalog of books, papers, and other resources for NGOs working on issues of transparency and democracy.

Center for Civil Society International — This organization offers assistance to NGOs which focus on challenges facing the independent states of the former Soviet Union and fosters communication among these organizations.  The web site includes information on a free email Listserv, reports which can be ordered online, numerous web resources listed by topic, and case studies focusing on successful NGOs.

Directory of Public Policy Institutes in Emerging Markets — Provided by the Center for International Private Enterprise.

USAID Results-Oriented Sourcebook — Electronic resource guide to assist in the design, award, and administration of results-oriented grants.

The International Center for Non-profit Law

Nonprofit Managers' Library (105k HTML); Free, how-to management resources.