Low-Cost and Free Resources for Southeastern PA History Organizations

Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
www.artsandbusinessphila.org
info@artsandbusinessphila.org
215-790-3620
The Arts & Business Council funnels expertise and resources from the business sector to strengthen the capacity and operations of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Their programs include:

1. Business Volunteers for the Arts – Business professionals are placed as volunteer consultants with nonprofit organizations to provide all types of business support, except fundraising
2. Business on Board – Training on nonprofit board governance issues for business professionals and arts managers and placement of business professionals on nonprofit boards
3. Business on Call – Hands-on volunteers for short-term assignments, such as assistance with an event
4. Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts – Placement of volunteer attorneys who provide pro bono and low-cost legal assistance to help nonprofits address their legal issues.  Ranges  from contract review to full representation
5. Technology Connectors – Technology assistance to arts and cultural organizations from technology professionals and companies

Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University
www.lasallenonprofitcenter.edu
nonprofitcenter@lasalle.edu
215-951-1701
The LaSalle Nonprofit Center offers a host of programs to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations. These include:

1. Leadership development for board members, executive directors and emerging leaders
2. Education and training programs in administration, fundraising, human resources, financial management, strategic planning, evaluation, marketing and more
3. Expert consulting to provide guidance for special projects, challenges, new directions or planning processes, developed within the confines of a nonprofit budget
4. A Membership Program that makes connections—to resources, information, opportunities and discounts that will help move your organization from just talking about change to making it
5. Job search opportunities in print and online to connect the right people with the right positions

Membership is annual and tied to an organization’s operating budget.

Nonprofit Finance Fund - Greater Philadelphia
nonprofitfinancefund.org/mid-atlantic/philadelphia
Philadelphia@nffusa.org
215-546-9426
The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) makes millions of dollars in loans to nonprofits and pushes for fundamental improvement in how money is given and used in the sector. The organization provides a continuum of financing, consulting, and advocacy services to nonprofits and funders nationwide. Their services are designed to help great organizations stay in balance, so that they're able to successfully adapt to changing financial circumstances -- in both good and bad economic times -- and grow and innovate when they're ready. Their services include:

1. Financial training workshops
2. Loans and lines of credit for a variety of purposes
3. Business analyses
4. Custom services to meet the financial needs of each organization

NPower Pennsylvania
www.npowerpa.org/
215-557-1559
NPower provides comprehensive, high-quality and affordable technology assistance to 501(c )(3) nonprofits. Some of their specific services include:

1. Scheduled network and desktop support
2. Technology assessment and planning
3. Database & data management
4. Web design & outreach  
5. Technology training for nonprofit staff 

A one-time membership fee is based on the organization's operating budget and gives organizations access to NPower’s subsidized services.   

Regional Foundation Center - Free Library of Philadelphia
www.freelibrary.org/rfc
erefrfc@freelibrary.org
215-686-5423
The Regional Foundation Center informs the local nonprofit sector through research, resources and referrals. The RFC houses Philadelphia’s largest publicly accessible collection of print and electronic resources on fundraising, nonprofit management, general philanthropy and institutional advancement. The RFC offers the following programs and services:

1. Free access to the Foundation Directory Online--the most comprehensive database of U.S. grant makers and their grants and the WealthEngine database
2. Access to a variety of periodicals on fundraising and nonprofit management including The Chronicle of Philanthopy and The Nonprofit Times
3. A variety of programs on fundraising and nonprofit management, many of which are free. For the program schedule, see the Events link at the top of the RFC’s homepage
4. Paid training courses offered through the Foundation Center—scholarships are available for organizations with budgets under $1,000,000
5. A technical assistance fair for nonprofits every April

Through its comprehensive collection and professionally certified staff librarians, the RFC promotes responsible nonprofit management and successful fundraising by nonprofit groups at all levels--from grassroots startups to established institutions. If you click on the “Our Regional Partners” link on the RFC’s homepage, you can find five additional Foundation Center Cooperating Collections in Southeastern Pennsylvania that house core collections of publications.

Bucks County: Bucks County Conference and Visitor's Bureau
visitbuckscounty.com/
215-639-0300
In addition to general BCCVB member benefits, a $125-membership makes nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for the BCCVB grant program. These grants, which range from $1,000 - $40,000 fund marketing projects, special events and capital projects. There are two grant cycles per year, with applications due by April 1 and October 1, respectively. Typically, 20 grants are awarded a year. The grant overview, guidelines and application can be found by clicking on the “GRANT INFORMATION” link at the bottom of the home page and then clicking on the “BCCVB TOURISM GRANT INFORMATION” link on the left sidebar, under “PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION.”

Chester County: Chester County Conference and Visitor's Bureau
www.brandywinevalley.com/
215-719-1730
In addition to general CCCVB member benefits, a $250-membership makes nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for the CCCVB grant program. These grants, which range from $15,000 - $50,000 fund marketing projects, special events and capital projects. There is one grant cycle per year, with applications due October 1.These grants require a 50 percent match and are funded on a reimbursement basis. Anywhere between 10 and 20 grants are awarded a year. The grant overview, guidelines and application can be found by clicking on the “Foundation” link at the bottom of the CCCVB homepage.

Delaware County: Brandywine Conference and Visitor's Bureau
www.brandywinecvb.org/
610-359-0826
With a $50 joint membership to the Brandywine Conference and Visitor’s Bureau and the Delaware County Historical Society, nonprofit organizations get several benefits including graphic design services. These benefits include:

1. Production of a professionally designed brochure
2. Website design support
3. Assistance with design and production of an organization’s promotional materials
4. Listing on the Brandywine CVB website
5. Listing in the Brandywine CVB magazine

Philadelphia County: Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.philadelphiausa.travel/
membership@pcvb.org
215-636-3313
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PCVB), a private non-profit membership corporation is the official tourism promotion agency for Philadelphia and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For $275 annually, nonprofits get promotional and other benefits including listing in the PCVB’s website calendar. As the PCVB is geared toward tourism and convention center promotion, it focuses on large historic attractions as well as those located in Philadelphia’s historic core.