The Internal Revenue Service requires all U.S.-based private foundations to file an annual 990-PF form, including a list of funded grants for the tax year in question. Such information can be extremely helpful in the effort to identify funding sources that might be a good match to a proposed project, as it provides a great indication of the foundation's particular interests.

Finding and Understanding the 990-PF

• The Foundation Center, one of the foremost authorities in private-sector funding, provides a 990-PF database and a diagram for locating information within the 990.
• Guidestar, a national database of nonprofit organizations, includes an excellent section on 990s and offers a subscription service called Grant Explorer. University of Iowa users may obtain a user name and password from the UI Division of Sponsored Programs Graduate Research Assistants Office, 417 Gilmore Hall, phone 384-3345 or e-mail dsp-grant2@uiowa.edu.