While there are many similarities between Foundation Directory Online and FC Search: The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM, there are also a number of differences.
Foundation Directory Online:
- is an online database accessible through the World Wide Web
- is updated weekly
- provides 12 search fields in the Grantmaker file and 10 in the Grants file (the Grants file is not available at the Basic subscription level)
- is available by subscription (starting at $19.95 a month, depending on what plan you select) and for free use at Foundation Center libraries and many Cooperating Collections
- features FDO Talk, an online discussion board where you can post questions about search strategies and other topics and read previous postings
- provides additional help in a Search Tutorial and a list of FAQs just for the Directory
And new to Foundation Directory Online, the ability to:
- "tag" individual grantmaker and company records (this tool is not available at Foundation Center libraries or Cooperating Collections)
- e-mail, print, and save individual grantmaker, grant, and company records
- print and save multiple records from grantmaker and company search results
FC Search: The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM:
- is a CD-ROM electronic database
- is updated semi-annually in April and October
- provides 14 search fields in its Grantmaker file and 12 search fields in the Grants file
- allows you to save individual records and search results in ASCII or basic text format
- allows you to choose the sections of the grantmaker and grant records you want to save (name, address, contact; purposes and activities; application information; financial data; etc.)
- is available for licensing ($1,195) and is also available for free use at Foundation Center libraries and Cooperating Collections
For a more comprehensive and thorough listing of the features of and differences between Foundation Directory Online and FC Search, see our comparison chart. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view the chart.
To learn more about Foundation Directory Online, try the Foundation Directory Online Guided Tour, or attend our free one-hour class, Introduction to Foundation Directory Online or our full-day, fee-based Foundation Funding Research. To learn more about FC Search, see our basicand advanced FC Search Guided Tours.
Can't find the answer you're looking for in our FAQs? Ask our Online Librarian.
