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Scenario 1 — Searching for foundations by name.

The most basic type of Index Search is that in which you enter criteria into just one search field. This type of search will most likely return an unwieldy number of results that you will want to pare down with a more advanced search technique, but it's a good way to become acquainted with the system and with electronic research methods. Once you are comfortable with the tutorial's basic searches, move on to the advanced searches which will help you to focus and speed your research.

Question: I am a new subscriber to The Foundation Directory Online and must familiarize myself with the content of its database. How do I begin?

Answer: Begin by calling up individual records of foundations already known to you, such as the Ford Foundation. A Simple Index Search of foundation names will get you what you need.

Follow these steps:
      1. Click the Foundation Name Index on the Search Screen to display it in the Index Pane on the left side of the screen.

        Note: For very large indexes, the Index Pane groups entries alphabetically. The letter of the alphabet displayed at the top of the Index Pane corresponds to the group of entries listed below. To access entries beginning with other letters of the alphabet, click on the underlined letter at the top of the Index Pane. Use the scroll bar to move through the list.

      2. At the top of the Index Pane, click "F" to display all foundations beginning with the letter "F"

        Note: Foundation names beginning with punctuation marks or numbers appear first in the list, before the letter "A".

      3. Scroll down until you find Ford Foundation, The.
      4. Click on Ford Foundation, The to automatically insert it into the Foundation Name search field.
      5. Click Search. The Results Screen appears and displays a list of foundation records that contain your search words in their Foundation Name text fields.
      6. Click Ford Foundation, The to launch the Record Display Screen in which you can view the foundation record.
      7. Click Close Window when you're through viewing the record and click the name of another foundation name from your results list, or click New Search to go back to the Search Screen and start over.