Grant Resource Guide

Muncie Public library provides an array of resources and information service to nonprofits and individuals seeking grants. In addititon to a collection of print and electronic resources, we can help locate resources on writing proposals, managing nonprofits, philanthropy, and more. Library staff also facilitate group training and one-on-one tutorials. This guide provides an overview of the resources and services offered by Muncie Public Library and also links to external sources for further information.

The library has partnered with Candid as a Funding Information Network (FIN) location. The network has over 400 locations nationwide, and is the largest nonprofit organization providing resources for funding, grants, and philanthropy. Check out Candid Learning for on demand courses and informative articles.

News:

• Effective January 1, 2024, you can access Foundation Directory Professional at all four Muncie Public Library locations. Database access is available in-library only.
• Upcoming workshops will be posted on our Calendar. Please keep in mind that workshops are only offered a few times per year, so we invite you to schedule one-on-one training with us.
• We can also assist you with searches directly. You may send us a search request, and a librarian will send you results from Foundation Directory within 1-2 business days. Fill out the Grant Research Request form to begin.

The library provides access to databases, or directories, that non-profit organizations, artists, researchers, and others can use to research foundations, corporations, and government agencies that provide grants.

Foundation Directory Professional by Candid

Foundation Directory Professional is a premium tool for nonprofits to research funders, build prospect lists, and find connections with key decision makers. Foundation Directory includes grant maker profiles, grant records, recipient profiles, along with funder contacts, maps, charts, and more. Access is available in-library only. Begin by using the link on the Databases page.

Brief Tutorials and Search Strategies:

• Navigating Search Results in FDO (video)
• Key Parts of a Grantmaker Profile in FDO (video)
• Dive into FDO’s Grant Results (video)
• Strategize using FDO Recipient Profiles (video)
• Refer to the the Philanthropy Classification System that organizes Candid's databases for search terms and definitions

Grants to Individuals by Candid

Grants to Individuals includes profiles of 10,000 funders that provide scholarships, fellowships, grants, and a wide range of financial support to individuals such as students, artists, and researchers. Access is available in-library only. Begin by using the link on the Databases page.

Additional Resources from Candid

As a member of Candid’s nationwide network of nonprofit serving agencies, Muncie Public Library provides visitors with free public access to Candid’s applications and resources. At our location, you can access the database Foundation Directory, Grants to Individuals, and other resources to assist and strengthen your nonprofit organization.  

Please explore these other resources from Candid available anytime, anywhere:

• Candid Learning is a learning community that helps nonprofits worldwide become more viable grant applicants and build
  strong, sustainable organizations. Candid Learning offers online and in-person learning opportunities designed to develop skills, practices, and behaviors which best prepare people working in the social sector for success.
• eBook Collection 400+ ebooks curated especially for the nonprofit sector, for free public use. First time users must click “User ID Help” on the Sign In screen to request access. Once you have obtained a digital library card from Candid, you can add it to the Libby app along with your Muncie Public Library card.
• GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles provide users with the information they need to make smart decisions, build connections, and learn from each other to achieve their missions. Nonprofits can update their profiles to amplify their stories and showcase their work.
• Philanthropy News Digest a daily news service of Candid, is a compendium of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide as well as requests for proposals (RFPs) from foundations and job listings. 
• Issuelab represents one of the largest platforms of social sector knowledge, containing more than 27,000 publicly available resources produced by nearly 7,000 organizations.

The grant makers in these directories typically fund only nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. These are organizations whose purposes are charitable, educational, scientific, religious, literary, or cultural. A small number of foundations will also make grants to individuals, usually to help pay for educational expenses, or support artistic or research projects.

Help with Personal Needs:

The Candid databases are generally not where you will find funds to help with personal needs such as food, medical bills, housing, or debt relief. Instead, please call 211, search FindHelp, or contact your elected officials such as your township trustee, to find government agencies and human/social service organizations near you, some of which may be able to provide temporary financial assistance and other forms of help. Please also refer to the resources linked in the library's guide to Local Resources and Assistance.

Help with Business Expenses:

The Candid databases are generally not where you will find funds to help with a for-profit business. Please refer to the resources provided by the Small Business Administration and the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center for information about starting a business.

As a member of Candid’s nationwide network of nonprofit serving agencies, Muncie Public Library provides visitors with free public access to Candid’s applications and resources. At our location, you can access the database Foundation Directory, Grants to Individuals, and other resources to assist and strengthen your nonprofit organization.  

Please explore these other resources from Candid available anytime, anywhere:

• Candid Learning is a learning community that helps nonprofits worldwide become more viable grant applicants and build
  strong, sustainable organizations. Candid Learning offers online and in-person learning opportunities designed to develop skills, practices, and behaviors which best prepare people working in the social sector for success.
• eBook Collection 400+ ebooks curated especially for the nonprofit sector, for free public use. First time users must click “User ID Help” on the Sign In screen to request access. Once you have obtained a digital library card from Candid, you can add it to the Libby app along with your Muncie Public Library card.
• GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles provide users with the information they need to make smart decisions, build connections, and learn from each other to achieve their missions. Nonprofits can update their profiles to amplify their stories and showcase  their work.
• Philanthropy News Digest a daily news service of Candid, is a compendium of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide as well as requests for proposals (RFPs) from foundations and job listings. 
• Issuelab represents one of the largest platforms of social sector knowledge, containing more than 27,000 publicly available resources produced by nearly 7,000 organizations.

Selected resources for nonprofit organizations.

Print Materials

Search the catalog to find reading materials about starting a nonprofit, grant writing, board development, fundraising, volunteerism, social entrepreneurship and more.

Starting a Nonprofit

• Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You (video)
• Nonprofit Startup Assessment, Checklists, and Toolkits
• Directions from the IRS about becoming a 501(c)3 organization
• How to Start a Nonprofit” from Management.org
• How to Start a Nonprofit” from National Council on Nonprofits

Nonprofit Fundraising

• Introduction to Fundraising Planning (video)
• Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits (video)
• Introduction to Finding Grants (video)
• Introduction to Foundation Directory Online (video)
• Introduction to Proposal Writing (video)

Government Resources for Nonprofits

• IRS Tax Exempt Organizations Homepage
• IRS Life Cycle of a Public Charity/Private Foundation
• Directions from the IRS for staying tax exempt
• IRS Educational Resources and Guidance for Exempt Organizations
• Grants.gov

These community profiles summarize the most common data, such as demographic and economic statistics, that you may need for your nonprofit’s case statements, long range plans, and grant narratives.

• Delaware County, IN Profile from the Muncie-Delaware County Indiana Economic Development Alliance and Chamber of Commerce 
• Muncie Economy at a Glance from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
• Delaware County, IN Profile from the National Association of Counties 
• Indiana Profile in the KIDS COUNT Data Book 

Further Data Sources:

• Census Bureau Data
• Statistics by Topic from the Indiana State Data Center 
• Current Population Survey Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
• Indiana Economy at a Glance from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
• United States Economy at a Glance from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Indiana State Profile in the Aging, Independence, and Disability Program Integrated Database (AGID) from the Administration for Community Living 
• KIDS COUNT Data Center from the Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Data & Policy Tools from the National Center for Children in Poverty 
• Data and Tools from the National Center for Education Statistics
• National Center for Health Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Opportunity Index a joint effort of Child Trends and the Forum for Youth Investment
• Populations at Risk Data Tool by Headwaters Economics 
• Additional Data Tools by Headwaters Economics 
• Measure of America by the Social Science Research Council
• County Level Data Sets from the USDA’s Economic Research Service

Find education and support for the nonprofit and philanthropic sector:

Muncie Public Library's upcoming grant workshops will be posted on our Calendar. Please keep in mind that workshops are only offered a few times per year, so we invite you to schedule one-on-one training with us.

Candid Learning contains all of Candid’s live and self-paced trainings, webinars, and articles about fundraising, organizational sustainability, grantmaking, and transparency.

BSU Graduate Certificate in Public Administration is a for-credit program providing an understanding of public policy and the principles of management and administration in the public sector, with courses drawn from the core requirements of Ball State University’s master of public administration degree.

BSU EdD in Adult and Community Education is a terminal degree in Educational Studies that prepares graduate students for professions in a variety of educational, governmental, community, business, and industrial settings. The doctorate program emphasizes developing skills and conducting research in teaching and learning, program planning, leadership, continuing education, community organizing, organizational management, and evaluation using a social justice framework.

IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate programs, as well as lifelong learning opportunities for philanthropic and nonprofit professionals through The Fund Raising School.

Nonprofit Support Network provides support and programming for executive directors, CEOs, staff, board members, and volunteers from nonprofits that serve Muncie and Delaware County.

Shafer Leadership Academy is an inclusive community leadership institute offering opportunities to develop personal, organizational and civic leadership through facilitated community programs and custom courses for individuals and organizations.