# Free resources for prospect research

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/01/15/free-resources-prospect-research/
- Published: 2008-01-15T14:33:17+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Every now and again, the subject of free resources pops up on one or other of the
email discussion groups, particularly

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prospect-research-uk/

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/trust_fundraising/

## Advertisement

Recently, this has been a hot topic following the decision of Debrett’s to phase
out charity discounts for subscribers to the online version of People of Today. 
It will soon cost charities £1,000!

The best resources for your fundraising will depend on your fundraising needs, but
here are a few freebies, some of which could well be essential:

1. fResource – marvellous new website established by Matt Ide. If you are looking
for information on any prospect reseach resource (many are free), make this your
first stop

2. KnowUK – package of reference sources including Who’s Who, Debtrett’s People 
of Today, etc

3. Credo – (slightly different) package of reference sources including Who’s Who,
Debtrett’s People of Today, etc

4. Who’s Who online – online version of this biographical source, with an advanced
search function

5. NewsUK – 60 newspapers

6. NewsBank – clients select the sources they want to include Infotrac – clients
select the sources they want to include

7. 192 allows some free searches, combining directory enquiries with other databases,
letting you know who lives at an address. All you need is a surname and a postcode/
city/town/village

Number 2 – 7 are all available free via local libraries. You do not need to live
near the library, in order to join. Check out http://tiny.cc/MVCcx to see what resources
are kept at a fairly accessible library. Some allow you to join online, and will
post your membership card, some allow you to complete a form online, then ask you
to bring proof of ID when collecting your membership card. You can then use a range
of resources remotely, via a computer of your choice, free of charge. Next time 
you visit (even if it means making a special trip, complete the process and away
you go).

Finbar Cullen is an associate editor of fResource – www.fresource.info

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