Our Fall 2025 Nonprofit Series at Central Library offers free, in-person workshops on a variety of nonprofit management topics including starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, developing a board of directors, strategic planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, planning effective programs, and writing successful grant proposals. Workshops are led by local nonprofit experts. We also offer training on using Foundation Directory, a prospecting tool for researching grant funders as well as how to find evidence-based research for grant proposals. These sessions are led by librarians on our Nonprofit Team at Central Library.
Nonprofit Program Series at Central Library Schedule & Registration:
- Event: Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 13, 10:30am
- Location: Central Library
- Description: A strategic plan enables your nonprofit to look ahead and make plans for the future. Learn when and how to create an effective plan to guide your organization.
- Register Here
- Event: Successful Grant Proposals
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 13, 1:30pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: In this workshop, you’ll learn about the grant application process and assess whether your organization is ready to apply for grants.
- Register Here
- Event: Ask-Me-Anything: Answers to Nonprofit Legal Questions
- Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17, 2:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Wondering about contracts, governance, IRS rules, or other nonprofit legal matters? Bring your nonprofit-related legal questions to this session with Attorney Ricardo Simmonds.
- Register Here
- Event: Fearless Asking: How to Build an Individual Giving Program
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 10:30am
- Location: Central Library
- Description: An individual giving program is an important part of any nonprofit’s fundraising strategy. This workshop will help you understand the current fundraising environment and show you how to overcome your fears so you can ask confidently for the support your nonprofit needs.
- Register Here
- Event: Starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: This workshop will help you assess whether starting a nonprofit is right for you. Learn what a nonprofit organization is, and the steps required to start one.
- Register Here
- Event: Intro to Foundation Directory: Finding Grant Funders
- Date & Time: Wednesday, September 24, 2:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Learn to use Foundation Directory a research tool that can help 501(c)(3) nonprofits find grant makers most likely to fund their projects.
- Register Here
- Event: Yoga for Everyday People– with Indy Community Yoga
- Date & Time: Monday, September 29, 6:30pm
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: You’re invited to join The Library and the practice leaders of Indy Community Yoga for free, beginner-friendly, feel-good movement, breathing, and yoga practice in community with everyday people. Every body welcome.
- Register Here
- Event: Evidence-based Research for Grant Proposals
- Date & Time: Wednesday, October 01, 2:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: This workshop will introduce you to resources for locating data and evidence-based research for your nonprofit organization’s grant proposals and answering critical needs statement questions.
- Register Here
- Event: Planning Effective Programs
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 04, 10:30am
- Location: Central Library
- Description: In this workshop, you’ll discover the main components of a solid program plan that will allow your organization to provide quality services to your community.
- Register Here
- Event: Successful Grant Proposals
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 04, 1:30pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: In this workshop, you’ll learn about the grant application process and assess whether your organization is ready to apply for grants.
- Register Here
Questions about the Nonprofit Program Series at Central Library? Email or call Central Library and ask to speak with a librarian on our Nonprofit Team.
Not able to attend one of our workshops? Watch one of our recorded sessions from our Spring 2021 workshop series available on The Library’s YouTube channel.
For more information, resources, funding tips, and helpful tools see our blog post Nurturing the Nonprofit Organization.
Made possible by Meridian Foundation through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
Nonprofit Book Discussion Picks
A sampling of books relevant to issues facing nonprofit organizations. Consider reading one together with your organization. If you or your organization needs support locating learning resources, get in touch with our Nonprofit Team. Call the Library at 317-275-4100 and ask to speak to the Nonprofit Team or email us at nonprofit@indypl.org.