Preparing for Potential Partners

The Internet offers numerous sources of information on business. In addition to broad searches available through Google and Yahoo!, the following specific sources may be helpful.

Company Information

• Hoover's Online
  good starting information on thousands of public and private companies
• Public Register's Annual Report Service
  free printed annual reports
• FreeEdgar
  filings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other information
• Rotary International
  Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Local Rotary Clubs may be helpful places to start when looking for local business partners.
• Chambers of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureaus in the United States
  Find your local chamber of commerce through this site and begin looking for the right partner for your organization.
• Local Small Business Administration (SBA) Offices
  Local SBA offices are likely to have helpful suggestions about finding local private sector partners in your community.

Press Release Services

• Business Wire
• PR Newswire

Other Resources

• New York Times Navigator
  a useful collection of Web resources, note also its Business Connections page
• New York Times Business Connections
  links to many business sources
• Target Multiple Audiences When Looking for a Partnership
  "... Too many people send out sponsorship inquiries to the marketing manager or donation requests to small committees that are already overwhelmed with proposals. Successful fundraisers will also target their requests to other staff in the corporation, from pension plan administrators to personnel directors..."