Welcome to the C. E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District’s Center for Effective Nonprofits (CEN). We are one of five libraries in Southern Illinois offering centralized resources and access to services dedicated to assisting nonprofit organizations in the pursuit of effectiveness. Special thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for funding this project.

• Tips on board development and governance,
• Sample handbooks or forms,
• Tips on writing grants and fundraising letters,
• Accounting and tax information,
• Websites to find grants or loans,
• Ideas on fundraising projects,
• Other nonprofit organizations in Southern Illinois,
• New research and legislation affecting nonprofit organizations,
• Answers to many management questions, and
• Much, much more!

Need more resources? Visit us at the C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District’s Center for Effective Nonprofits. Staff are ready to assist you in using our dedicated computer, printer, and centralized books and periodicals - all exclusively for nonprofit organizations. At the library, you can also access FC Search (which has information on over 32,000 foundations) and Illinois Funding Source (which has information on Illinois Foundations). Both of these resources are available electronically and in book form at the Library.

We have a rich history of serving our community for over 100 years and are excited about expanding our services to include information for nonprofit organizations.

We hope you enjoy this website and find the information helpful.