The Grants Resource Center is located in the Information & Reference Department at the Main Library. It is a cooperating collection of the Foundation Center, a national nonprofit service organization whose mission is to collect, disseminate and analyze information about private philanthropy and foundations. As a member of this nationwide network, the Library is able to offer our customers access to grantmaker directories, books on fundraising and nonprofit management, and the Foundation Center’s electronic databases, Foundation Directory Online Professional and Foundation Grants to Individuals Online.
Resources
Materials in the Grants Resource Center include all the Foundation Center publications; books and magazines pertaining to philanthropy; foundation IRS returns for Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana; annual reports; and information on local foundations. Representative materials from the collection include:
Foundation Center Publications
- The Foundation Directory
- The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing
- Foundation 1000
- Foundation Fundamentals
- Foundation Grants to Individuals
- National Directory of Corporate Giving
Regional Directories
- Cincinnati Area Foundation Directory
- Charitable Foundations of Ohio
- Directory of Indiana & Kentucky Grantmakers
- Guide to Ohio Grantmakers
Proposal Writing
- Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grantwriting
- Grassroots Grants
- I’ll Grant You That
Magazines
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Foundation News and Commentary
- Corporate Philanthropy Report
- Foundation and Corporate Funding Advantage
- Nonprofit World
Electronic Resources
- Foundation Directory Online Professional (access only available in the Information and Reference Department
- Foundation Grants to Individuals Online (access only available in the Information and Reference Department
- Websites for Grants Research
Grantseeker’s Guide to Proposal Writing
If you are seeking support from private foundations or other grantmakers, either as an individual or a nonprofit organization, you are often asked to present your request in a proposal. Our Grantseeking for Nonprofit Organizations booklist lists some of the materials in the Grants Resource Center collection that will simplify and explain the planning and writing of a proposal.
Grant Programs
There are two basic grants programs regularly offered at the library:
- Grant Seeking Basics is a three-hour course that examines the characteristics of a successful grant seeking organization, introduces the basic concepts and practices in grant seeking, and discusses how to use the Foundation Directory Online Professional database to find grant makers.
- Proposal Writing and Budgeting Basics is a three-hour course that offers tips and techniques in successful proposal writing, including what goes into a successful proposal, how the material is organized, how proposal budgets are prepared, and how to present proposals to grant makers in ways designed to promote a positive response.
The courses are complementary and are conveniently offered at various days and times. Registration is required and attendance is limited to keep the classes small; however, each class is offered once every three weeks. Attendance at both earns the attendee a certificate of completion. To register or for more details, please call 5130-369-6900.
