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Scenario 3 — Searching for foundations with websites.

The following example demonstrates basic Text Search functionality. Text (or keyword) searching is useful when you're searching for an exact phrase or information not located in one of the indexed text fields. Once you become familiar with the writing styles and policies used in The Foundation Directory Online, you'll have a much better sense of how the data is presented, which makes doing a Text Search much easier and effective. A Text Search is extremely useful on it's own, but when used in conjunction with an index search, it's even more powerful. See Advanced Searches in this tutorial for examples combining index and text search functionality.

Question: I work for a medium-sized foundation that is implementing a Web site, and I need ideas on what information is best to include. How can I find a list of foundations that already have Web sites, and how do I get their Internet addresses?

Answer: Simple. Do a Text Search for URL. Many foundation records in The Foundation Directory Online have URL included as a separate field, but it's not indexed because most URLs are much too vague to be of any use on their own.

To begin:
    1. Click in the Text Search field.
    2. Type URL.
    3. Click Search. The Results List appears displaying a list of all foundations with the search term URL.
    4. Click a foundation name on the Results List to view it in the Record Display window.
      5. Note: The URL address in the foundation record is a "live link," so you can click on it and view that foundation's Web site.
    5. Click Close Window when you are through viewing the record, and click on another foundation name in the results list or click New Search to go back to the Search Screen and start over.

 Tip: If you click your browser's Back Button after you've closed the Record Display window, the Search Screen will re-display with your prior search still intact. (You may have to click Back a few times if you've opened more than one Search Results page.)