Google,com
One of the best search engines available. Has a "cache" feature that stores old articles so you
don't get dead links. Use quotation marks for names and phrases (ie "Margaret Thatcher" "Dead Poet's Society").
Google also has links to Google Maps, Google Images, Gmail, etc.
Dogpile
Use the Advance Search feature to refine your search query.
All the Web
Similar to Google, but no "cache" feature. Can use it to search for news or the web.
SITES THAT LINK TO OTHER SITES
David Lamb's Prospect Research Page Essential site for new researchers, favorite of research veterans. Links to just about any site you need,
and well organized.
SearchBug
SearchBug allows you to search for individuals or companies by name, address or phone. It also has
an email search, and links to other helpful sites.
Cedar Person Search
You can enter in a person's name for any of these phone directories. Also links to the USPS.
The Ultimates
Enter in the person's name and hit the tab key and all the name fields will have it. Same with the other fields.
Search each directory separately, but you don't have to retype the name, etc. for each directory.
InfoSpace.com
One of the best directories. White pages: enter last name and state. If too many responses, add first initial or first name.
Yellow pages: make sure you're checking Business Name and not Category. Only enter main part of name, not Company or Inc.
If you're not sure of the exact name, enter part of the name (ie Wilhelm instead of guessing if it's Wilhelm Construction
or Wilhelm General Contracting). Can also do reverse search on phone number. Associated with Intellus, a fee-based service.
Accurint
Fee-based address look-up service. 25-cents to look up a name, and it gives you a list of "hits." You pay extra if you want more detail on a specific person. You can get address history
on some people, which can be helpful.
BUSINESS
Hoover's Online
This is a good first-place-to-look site. Search by the company name in the search box on the left. A brief capsule of
the company is free, but it includes address, phone, website, top executives, sales figures, and a short description of
the company. Use the website to go to the company's home page for more details or subscribe for the full report. There's a
separate Hoovers for UK companies.
IPO.com - Initial Public Offering News and Information
Sometimes private companies go public in order to sell their stock. They offer a limited number of shares for sale to
determine how much the shares will sell for - if the amount is lower than they expect, they will withdraw their IPO. They
are required by the SEC to file certain documents. During some of this time, the executives are forbidden to sell their
stock (the "quiet zone") for a certain amount of time. The IPO prospectus usually includes information about the key
executives of the company and the general fiscal condition of the company. This site has a quick search where you can
look up a specific company, a list of recently-filed IPOs, and general news on IPO companies.
Guidestar
Foundations are required to file taxes, called 990 or 990PF forms. Use the Advanced Search to search by the main name of a
foundation and its state (ie Roy Carver Charitable Trust would be Carver). A list of "hits" will appear; click on the name
of the foundation to get more information. In the left column you will see 990 Report - click on this to get a list of
available 990 reports. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the 990 report. Click on the year to see the actual report
. The first page has assets and total grant amount. I usually go to the last page and work my way forward since most grant
recipient lists are in the appended section. Sometimes the list of Trustees is in the back as well, otherwise it's around
page 6. You have to register, even for the free data.
APRA International
Our parent organization. Links to local chapters, APRA's Code of Ethics, Virtual Seminars, Prspt-L, and helpful resources.
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Maryland Chapter
The local chapter of AFP (formerly NSFRE). They offer many fundraising lectures/workshops, an annual conference, resource
libraries, and scholarships for fundraising courses (CFRE program) at Goucher College.
Prspct-L
This is a discussion listserv for researchers available through APRA (look under "APRA Community). You can ask questions
(research related) and other members can reply. Can be helpful when you're stumped. I suggest getting the messages in
Digest format so you get one daily email of all the messages.
The Enoch Pratt Free Library
You must have a Pratt Library card or go there and register your county library card with their computer system. Then you
can access several of their databases online. Or you can come into the Library and use all their resources for free (
except for the cost of a disk or printing). The Pratt also offers free lectures/workshops on research and fundraising topics.
MapQuest!
Use Map feature if you'd like to see what the donor's neighborhood is like. Generally speaking, homes next to golf
courses are highly valued. Don't use the driving directions - sometimes they are inaccurate.
Ancestry.com - Social Security Death Index
Put in the last name and first name in the top section, than put in the State of Last Known Residence. Most deceased people
born after 1934 are listed, but not everyone.
The United States Postal Service
Don't know the correct ZIP code? You can look it up. Price for mailing packages to Spain? You can find that out here too.
AMA Physician Select, On-Line Doctor Finder
When you get to the Disclaimer page, just click Agree to continue. Enter last name and state. If too many hits, add first
initial. You'll get a list of hits - click on the name to see the record. Not a lot of info, but you'll see office address,
maybe phone, where s/he did her/his internship, whether s/he is board certified and year of license issue (which is usually
date of graduation).
American Dental Association
"Find a Dentist" in the Public Section. Then search by name and state. Click on name to see address and map.
REAL ESTATE
Maryland Real Property Search
Pick the county or Baltimore City from the drop down menu and click the button for address search. Only put the name of
the street (no Rd or St or Ct) and the house number (if you know it) and then click the button to start the search. If you
entered a house number and the record exists, you'll see the Property Assessment form. The address at top is the property
and the address in the next section (if there is one) is the mailing address for the owner. You may also see that the
property was sold and the selling price. Near the bottom is the Assessed Value - make sure you get the TOTAL because its
divided out between the land and the house then added up.
Zillow
Provides estimated market values for most residential properties. Also provides a picture of the house and surrounding property.
Salary.com
Has national averages for various professions. Choose category and region, then title - you'll get a brief description of
the job. Click on "create salary report" to get a salary range.
Biz Journals
This page has general business news and links to business news in major cities. They sell subscriptions to Business Journals
in major cities (Baltimore Business Journal, Washington Business Journal) and the Book of Lists for major cities, which is
a good resource.
Connelly & Assoc. Fundraising LLC
Major Gift and Capital Campaign services and Feasibility and Planning Studies for organizations in the Metro-DC and
Metro-Baltimore areas. President is Vince Connelly. Email-vfcon@aol.com
Development Research Systems
Development research services. National. President is Elaine Lotto. Email-elotto@rochester.rr.com
CGM Research Services
Development research services. Metro-DC. President is Carla Goring Madden. Email-cgmresearch@earthlink.net
Jennifer Letowt. Development research services. Metro-DC/National. Email-jfletowt@cox.net
Amy Dean Kemp. Development research services. Baltimore Metro. Email-adkresearch@yahoo.com
GrantsDirect.com
Subscribers can look up info on foundations in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia.
Can sort results and refine searches in multiple ways.
