Our Spring 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: Starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 22, 10:30am
- 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: Developing an Effective Board of Directors
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 22, 2:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: This workshop will help you understand the basic responsibilities of nonprofit boards and identify methods for improving board effectiveness.
- Register Here
- Event: Intro to Foundation Directory: Finding Grant Funders
- Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26, 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: Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
- Date & Time: Saturday, March 01, 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, March 01, 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: Planning Effective Programs
- Date & Time: Saturday, March 08, 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, March 08, 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: Evidence-based Research for Grant Proposals
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 12, 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. Presented by Jordan Hunt, Public Services Librarian at the Indianapolis Public Library.
- Register Here
- Event: Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, and More
- Date & Time: Saturday, March 15, 10:30am
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Learn best practices and proven methods to recruit and retain volunteers. Participants will receive tools to help guide the development of a strong and lasting volunteer workforce.
- Register Here
- Event: Intro to Foundation Directory: Finding Grant Funders
- Date & Time: Saturday, March 22, 10:30am
- 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
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.