Nonprofits are always looking for low cost or free resources, such as online references, instructional classes and office support. Many of MetroWest’s libraries offer these resources, including the Natick Library’s Morse Institute. The mission of the library clearly supports the needs of both citizens and organizations, by providing print and online materials and services to users, being an educational resource with hands-on learning opportunities and serving as a community and cultural center with meeting and exhibit spaces.

As with any library, the most valuable information can be derived from its online, searchable databases, critical to the research efforts of any size organization. Morse Institute Library has dozens of these databases accessible from its website . This includes serving as host to the Foundation Center Cooperating Collection which provides free public access to resources for individuals and nonprofit organizations to research funding opportunities from foundations and corporations.

Some other useful online resources include online access to every issue of The MetroWest Daily News after April 2007 and a searchable database of over 2500 local organizations, each containing a standard listing of key facts.

The Natick Library can also serve as a good training resource. It provides free training via ongoing computer classes, covering basic introductions to computers and using Internet, Email and word processing software. It also offers access to a computer lab with affordable copying and printing services. More advanced users can take advantage of the computer lab. Check out their June Calendar of Events for more information.

Low cost meeting space is also available for large and small groups at a nominal cost for nonprofits and free for use by town and local government agencies and organizations. For $25/hour a room that holds 120 may be rented, for $10/hour you can host up to 30, and free study space is available for smaller meetings. For room availability, you can contact the library's Executive Assistant at 508-647-6525.

The Greater Boston region is home to a number of schools and organizations that donate valuable consulting time to nonprofits.

While not all of these programs will be appropriate for every organization and every project, they are worthwhile to look into and explore more.

Third Sector New England: Grassroots Initiative
This competitive grant process will provide 3 nonprofits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with pro bono consulting services to conduct an organizational assessment and 25 hours of consulting work to implement two to three priorities identified by the assessment. Visit their site for more information about the grant and how to apply.

SOAR 55
Soar matches volunteers over 55 with nonprofits who are looking for help. Some of these volunteers are ongoing, skilled volunteers. However, they also provide volunteer management consulting teams for nonprofits. To learn more about the program and download information on the application process, click here.

Harvard Business School Association of Boston: Community Action Partners
The CAP program connects nonprofits in the Greater Boston area with teams of HBS alumni to work on pro bono consulting projects. Visit their site for information on how to become a client.

Brandeis’ Heller MBA Team Consulting Projects
The TCPs non-profit, community-based, and other mission-driven organizations the opportunity to work with a team of Heller MBA students on a project that addresses an important management need. The project will be embedded in a course that provides a capstone to the MBA program, where teams of three to five students work on a project with a faculty advisor from June through August. The initial application deadline is tomorrow, February 5th. To learn more download the application information. If you have additional questions, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).