Researching at the Library FAQs

  • General Questions

    Access to Foundation Directory Online Professional is from the 2nd floor of Central Library during its hours of operation, opens a new window. Find out how smaller nonprofits can win a year of free access to Foundation Directory Online Essential through Candid's Go For The Gold, opens a new window program. 

    Please contact Kathy Piselli at kathy.piselli@fultoncountyga.gov for more information.

    There are many online resources to help you get started! First, register for free at Candid Learning, opens a new window (formerly Grantspace). Search for training by format (on demand for previously-recorded webinars), topic (such as "starting a nonprofit"), and experience level ("beginner"). There, you will also find information about alternative models such as fiscal sponsorship and social entrepreneurship.

    You can also search Candid's knowledge base for articles about starting a nonprofit. There are many alternatives to starting a nonprofit, opens a new window for people on a mission to help their communities.

    Everyone considering starting a nonprofit should use Candid.org's Nonprofit Startup Assessment Tool, opens a new window to assess your readiness to start a nonprofit, and access resources to build your skills and knowledge as a founder.

    You will also learn how to reach millions of funders by claiming your GuideStar Nonprofit Profile, opens a new window.

    You have free access to the basic resources of setting up a nonprofit through Candid's Overdrive ebook collection, opens a new window. 

    The Fulton County Library System also subscribes to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), which offers over 200 courses in Nonprofit Management and other related topics. Find this product at the Library's list of online resources, opens a new window.

    A nonprofit is a tax-exempt category within the Internal Revenue Service. Learn about the IRS requirements, opens a new window. See the Georgia Department of Revenue requirements, opens a new window for nonprofits.

    The Central Library of the Fulton County Library System has been a Federal Depository Library since 1880 and contains books published by the Federal government from nearly every Federal agency, including some agencies no longer in existence. The oldest are those from Congress, and the Treasury, War, and Agriculture departments. Other topics covered are labor, justice, health, vital statistics, census, foreign affairs, energy, commerce, transportation and education. Physical materials are housed on the 3rd floor of Central Library and digital versions can be found simply by searching the Library Catalog, opens a new window.

    Central does not have every publication of the Federal government. The Regional Depository for the state of Georgia, which is located at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga, opens a new window., is tasked with retaining one copy of every publication received since it became a depository in 1907 though it also has many older publications.

    There are many online resources to help you get started! Register for free access at Candid Learning (formerly Grantspace) for online training, blogs and articles on every aspect of fundraising, opens a new window.

    You have free access to the Candid's Overdrive ebook collection, opens a new window. Find ebooks and audiobooks on such important funding topics as collaboration, boards, and fundraising. 

    Access to in-library use of Foundation Directory Online Professional is provided at Central Library on the second floor. Find other Funding Information Network locations that provide access. Learn how smaller nonprofits can win a year of free access to Foundation Directory Online Essential through Candid's Go For The Gold, opens a new window program.

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    Government documents are for in-house use only, so no library card is needed. Access to the digital resources is available on the 2nd floor of Central with a guest pass. For more information please see Research Assistance, opens a new window