Penrose Library
20 N. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Online Resources
The resources listed below are free, open to anyone with internet access. The list is sorted in order of importance. Candid Learning and BoardSource are premier resources, followed by others that offer unique nonprofit topics.
BoardSource is the premier location for any nonprofit management and board training needs. There is fee to join; it does offer workshops and trainings, with member discounts. In their learning center, they offer community resources that can be downloaded for free, regardless of membership. Topics include board basics, performance, etc. You can also subscribe to their e-newsletter for free.
Is a nonprofit advisor and resource for mission-driven organizations and philanthropists. Several of their publications can be downloaded for free, which include hiring toolkit, board management, and transitioning from for-profit to nonprofit. It offers articles and videos under philanthropic advice on topics such as collaborating with nonprofits to measuring success. They have a free e-newsletter.
Candid Learning is the educational arm of Candid (previously known as Foundation Center). It provides document examples on a variety of nonprofit forms, such as budgets and letters of intent. It offers both free and fee-based webinars. It is a best bet for anyone starting out in the nonprofit world.
*Note - The GlassPockets website has been retired. However, select tools and resources are still available through certain Candid websites and applications provided in the link above.*
Created by the Foundation Center to promote transparency to the world of philanthropy. Information provided voluntarily by the foundations and provides insight into their grant making activities. Information includes their grant making process, mission statement, audited financials, and board of directors.
Is published by the Foundation Center, and offers access to research, white papers,and articles on a variety of social sector topics for free. It has an e-newsletter you can subscribe to. It also allows you to search and save articles of interest.
The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. They identify emerging trends, share proven practices, and promote solutions that benefit charitable nonprofits and the communities they serve. There is a fee for membership. They provide Tools and Resources on a variety of nonprofit topics, from starting a nonprofit to ethics that can be read for free. They offer a blog that does not require membership.
Is a national organization, located in Denver, that connects, supports, and develops individuals seeking to lead the nonprofit sector. There is a membership fee, but offers activity sheets that can be downloaded for free on topics such as developing a case statement, fundraising plan, and donor prospect. It does have a free e-newsletter.
Offers a variety of resources on risk management for nonprofits for free. They do offer more in-depth consulting for a fee, but their free tools are enough to get you started thinking about your nonprofits risk and how to assess it.
