Getting Started
Welcome to the course guide for LDR 6110 with Professor Robbie! Use the links included in this guide to help you begin your research for this course. It is important to use reliable, authoritative resources when researching. The resources provided here are carefully selected to provide a strong foundation for more powerful reports.
If you need additional guidance in locating resources, please feel free to contact me for an appointment.
About the project
Background: A non-profit organization that is focused on providing basic items to people in need. Based on the notion of community care, the idea behind this non-profit organization was born out of the understanding that sometimes, payday cannot come fast enough, and basic needs and supplies are essential with an immediate need.
This project will include information about other similar nonprofits and organizations, potential funding sources, and a marketing plan.
They are working on different fundraising initiatives, including a Kickstarter campaign for $30,000, building at least 5 new strategic partnerships for the campaign, and improving backer engagement and conversion rates through creative incentives and communications.
Goal/Deliverables: XN Teams will research, analyze, and recommend possibilities that address Natasha's challenges. Remember to connect "why" your team's recommendations make sense based on what you discovered through your research.
- Challenge #1 - Conduct some informational research on other non-profits and/or organizations that have a similar mission to NeighborGood Bodega.
- Within a chart or table, summarize your findings and compare/contrast the non-profits and/or organizations you discovered with NeighborGood Bodega’s proposed model.
- This part of the assignment will help our XN Sponsor know if others are providing the same or similar services.
- Challenge #2 - Research potential funding sources that align with NeighborGood Bodega’s vision.
- Be mindful that NeighborGood Bodega is still in the planning stage, so your research should focus on grants and donations that would provide seed money for a non-profit start-up.
- Do not include any local, state, or national governmental agencies that offer grants. Focus on companies and/or organizations that align with NeighborGood Bodega’s goals..
- Challenge #3 - Develop a marketing plan with specific recommendations on how NeighborGood Bodega can effectively reach its target market.
- Use the recent NEU course provided marketing information that has been shared with you.
- Using this data as a starting point, how might you build upon the previous class’s work? How should NeighborGood Bodega market itself? What are some realistic next steps?
Research Tips
To get started, below is a list of helpful search strategies, tips, and best practices to get you started. Try these keywords as suggestions (use your own for a more specific results page for your report)
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"nonprofit organizations" AND ("basic needs" OR "emergency supplies") AND ("mutual aid" OR "community care")
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"food pantry" OR "hygiene products" AND nonprofit AND "mission model"
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"nonprofit" AND "community support" AND ("comparison" OR "case study")
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"nonprofit startup" AND ("seed funding" OR "initial grants") AND ("private foundation" OR "corporate donor")
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"nonprofit grants" AND ("basic needs" OR "emergency support") AND NOT "government"
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"community nonprofit" AND "CSR funding" OR "corporate grants"
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"nonprofit marketing" AND ("startup" OR "small organization") AND ("community engagement" OR "social media")
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"grassroots nonprofit" AND "marketing strategies"
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"nonprofit branding" AND "community services"
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Research TutorialsReview the fundamentals of using library databases to plan and execute a topic search.
Key Resources (Databases)
The databases listed below are core databases for general business, consumer information, and marketing databases.
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Business Source Ultimate (EBSCOhost) This link opens in a new windowScholarly, peer-reviewed articles and professional association news and information, the majority in full text. Some video.
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Statista This link opens in a new windowBrings together data and graphs on every imaginable topic from business to government, surveys, sports, and scientific topics. Easy to use, exportable charts and data, recommended citations.
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Emerging Markets Information Service (EMIS) This link opens in a new windowNews, market research reports, and company and financial data from more than 80 emerging markets.
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JSTOR This link opens in a new windowOne of the most trusted sources for scholarly books and historical journal backfiles. Beginning in 2023, JSTOR also includes Artstor images of art and primary source artifacts.
General Non-Profit Information
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Qualtrics Guide to Market ResearchArticle from Qualtrics on conducting business research and communicating it to your team and clients
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Charity NavigatorCharity Navigator evaluates and compares nonprofit charities for potential donors. Ratings include financial health, accountability and transparency. In addition to rating information sign up for a free login account to access past ratings, IRS information, including current and past IRS 990 forms and links to news articles about the charity.
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GuidestarGuideStar's database contains data on more than 900,000 public charities, approximately 118,000 private foundations, and nearly half a million other exempt organizations in the United States. Federal 990 forms can be accessed through Guidestar, and grant activity of both grantmakers and grantees is accessible through the Grant Explorer data set.
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Better Business BureauRates and grades charity organizations based on performance, a history of complaints against the organization and other criteria.