News Release for Immediate Release June 16, 2004 OPGD Hosts Grants Database Training Session The Mayor’s Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OPGD) will host a training session on how to use GrantsDirect.com, an online, subscriber-based service profiling more than 5,100 foundation donors nationwide, including 1,600 headquartered in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Representatives of local nonprofits and faith-based organizations are invited to learn the fundamentals of researching foundations, how to identify organizations with similar missions that are receiving foundation support, and what the trends are in foundation giving in the Washington region.  Additionally, participants are encouraged to reinforce this training by using the database in OPGD’s Grants Information Resource Center (GIRC).  The GIRC is a staffed computer center with access to funding research databases and the Internet, as well as a small library of printed materials. The GrantsDirect.com training will be held on July 8, 2004, 9:30 am-noon, at One Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street, NW, Citywide Conference Center, Room 1107.  The session is the first in a series of free research trainings offered by OPGD.  Although the sessions are free, registration is required.  For further information on the training session, to register, and/or to make an appointment at the GIRC, contact OPGD at (202) 727-8900.