How do I update the Foundation Center's information on my foundation?

As you may know, your foundation's annual information form (or return), the 990-PF, is public information. The Foundation Center receives 990-PFs from the IRS, and Center staff enter the information into our database. We also glean information from your annual reports, financial statements, grants lists, application guidelines, web sites, and other materials. To update the information the Foundation Center has on your foundation at any time, please call (212) 620-4230, press "0" for the operator and ask for "Information Control."

You can also help us ensure that the information we present is current and correct by:

• using the Foundation Directory Online Updater service. This application allows the grantmakers represented in The Foundation Directory Online to send current information about their foundation to the Center directly through the web site. Updates will be posted to Foundation Directory Online during the first week of each month. Register for this convenient service and receive a special, free subscription to Foundation Directory Online.

• using our free online look-up service, Foundation Finder, to review the basic information we have on your foundation. If this information needs updating, please complete our convenient Foundation Finder Update Form.

• sending us up to five copies of materials you publish about your foundation's programs and grants. Please mail materials to:

  The Foundation Center
  Attn: Information Control
  79 Fifth Avenue
  New York, NY 10003

• sending us your grants information electronically. Contact Kati Neiheisel at kmn@foundationcenter.org or (212) 807-3675 if you are interested in learning how to use our electronic reporting format.

• filling out your foundation's questionnaire carefully, and returning it to us in a timely manner. Every year we mail a questionnaire with a copy of our database entry to foundations with assets of more than $1 million or over $50,000 in annual giving. Entries include contact information, financial data, giving interests, and application information. We also mail out questionnaires to all community foundations.

If your foundation has replied to our annual questionnaire but the financial information we have is out of date, it is most likely because we received incomplete information. In order to update any financial information in your profile, we must have answers to all four of the following questions:

1. When does your fiscal year end?
2. What were your assets for your most recent fiscal year?
3. What were your expenditures for your most recent fiscal year?
4. What was the total giving amount for your most recent fiscal year?