» OVERVIEW
This Tutorial explains how to use our unique website Keep in mind that we use the acronym RFP loosely to mean any listing for anything a nonprofit has posted on this site. It’s the new way for Grantmakers to find employees and volunteers and for you to get in touch with nonprofits that need your help.» STEP-BY-STEP
When you first enter the site and click on GRANTMAKER, you are taken to the Grantmaker Home Page. From here you can Search and review RFP summaries for funding opportunities, register, or login.SEARCH
We invite you to take a few minutes to explore the RFP search function. It is easy to use and helps you find Requests For Proposals posted by all kinds of nonprofits, including state and local government agencies, medical, educational, and religious institutions, charities, and others. NonprofitRFPExchange.com can help you find current projects to fund in the areas of your interest.The search function can be accessed from the Home Page, your account page, or from the Search Results Page. There are two types of searches - basic and advanced. The only difference is the number of options you can choose. Basic Search allows only one per category. Advanced Search allows multiple options in each category and has a keywords box. You must be registered to have a Saved Search. It will save you time when you visit the site.
Before you create your first Saved Search, your default search criteria is the Type of Organization you chose when you registered. To change your Saved Search criteria, just do another search with all the criteria you want, then press the [Save Search] button on the Search Results page.
To search using the Advanced Search feature, click that button on the top left hand side of the Search box. First type in a word or words which reflects aspects of the position you want, for example, 'research’ or ‘grant writer'. Then from each drop down box, choose a Location and the type of Organization for the project you are seeking if that is appropriate. You must choose an Organization Type for what you want to fund but the location and keywords can be blank.
It is particularly important for you to use the Keywords feature since this will help the search pinpoint projects that are of interest to you. You use this just like you do with a Google search.
CHOOSE
The Search Results Page will list the RFPs that match your criteria. Only RFPs with Deadline Dates in the future will be listed. The number of RFPs listed and the number of pages for you to review are at the top and the bottom of each page of Search Results. After you have reviewed the summaries, you can choose which one you would like to download by clicking on the File Icon or the word ‘Download’ in the upper right corner of the RFP posting you want.Downloads are free. You must, however, be registered. The organization which posted the RFP will be notified of your download.
EMAIL ALERTS
Grantmakers automatically receive the RFP Alerts Feature which sends daily email notices when new RFPs are posted that match Saved Search criteria. The email alerts are sent out at midnight and contain a list of the RFPs you might be interested in that were posted that day. If no RFPs were posted that day for you, then no email is sent. To get the most benefit from email alerts, you should create a thoughtful Saved Search using keywords and all the categories that apply to you and your business. To change or create a Saved Search, perform a search normally, then click the [Save Search] link on the Search Results page.
If you do not wish to receive email alerts, you can deactivate this feature by editing your Profile.
REGISTER
Click on the word “Register” at the bottom of the LOGIN box. A screen asking for Basic Information appears. Fill in your Email Address and verify it. Then create a Password and verify it. Next, choose an Industry. You can choose multiple options by holding down the CTRL key as you click on each choice. Next, please tell us how you heard about the website. Then, click “Next” to continue.The next screen is the User Profile form where you fill in information about you as the contact person and your nonprofit organization. The required items are designated by an asterisk (*). Finally, please tell us how you heard about this site. Click “Next” to continue.
You will see a welcome screen and now you can access the tabs across the top. Whenever you log in from now on, you will first see this welcome and information page until you have a Saved Search. From that point forward, when you log in, a list of the RFPs that meet your Saved Search criteria will appear as your ‘home’ page. This is also the same as what appears when you click on the ‘Search’ tab.