Consumer and Business

Charitable Choices - information on hundreds of charities that have met the Combined Federal Campaign's 10 accountability standards, including low overhead; plus ideas about what to consider when choosing a charity to support

Consumer Sentinel - international fraud-fighting program enables you to find consumer frauds, schemes, and scams; plus online complaint reporting

Federal Citizen Information Center - one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services

Federal Trade Commission - information and advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics; plus online complaint filing

FirstGov for Consumers - federal government portal for consumer protection information about food, health, product safety, your money, and transportation

National Do Not Call Registry - free registration to stop getting unwanted telemarketing calls

Toll-Free Numbers - find toll-free telephone numbers for businesses nationwide

Business Resources
CalGOLD Business Permits - provides lists of permits, licences, and requirements you need for your business from all levels of government, with contact information for city, county, state, and federal agencies; permit listings are specific to business type and location in California

California Business Portal - information you will need to start and file a business in the State of California

Central Contractor Registration - CCR is the primary vendor database for the US Federal Government; prospective contractors need to register prior to award of a contract or agreement

Grants and Funding - find grants and funding for your business; plus resources, directories, small business assistance, grant listings, and more from official business link to US Government

Market Research - see questions that small business owners must ask to devise effective marketing strategies; entrepreneurs can reduce business risks, spot current and upcoming problems in the current market, identify sales opportunities and develop plans of action

ReferenceUSA - database provides information for millions of US and Canadian businesses; updated monthly; customizable searches by company size, sales volume, geographic location, industry – making it easy for business owners to get information about potential new customers

SBA PRO-Net - electronic gateway to procurement opportunities and important information for and about small businesses, with a search engine for contracting officers, and a marketing tool for small firms; open to all small firms seeking federal, state and private contracts

Small Business Administration - agency providing financial, technical, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses SBA District Office in Fresno

Small Business Resource Center - a virtual center that complements the public library's on-site services and resources for people working in small businesses; with staff and materials to assist small businesses and their goals in the global market

ThomasNet - helps industrial sellers target their marketing investment to reach the most qualified industrial buyers online and convert them into customers