The OIT Library is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, http://foundationcenter.org/. As a member of this nationwide network of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit agencies, the OIT Library provides visitors with free public access to grantmaker directories, books on fundraising and nonprofit management, and the Foundation Center's electronic database, Foundation Directory Online. The fully searchable database includes approximately 50,000 records for philanthropic organizations, detailed profiles of all active U.S. foundations, as well as an extensive file of recent grants awarded by the nation's top funders. This database is for in-library use only, and can be accessed through the link in the alphabetic list of library databases at: http://www.oit.edu/libraries/articles/a-z or from the OIT Library home page - Find an Article or Journal - Journal Databases A-Z (All OIT Library Databases).
The Foundation Center's print collection is located on shelves at the east (far) end of the main Reference area. It includes grantmaker directories, and books on fundraising and nonprofit management. Grants collection books are cataloged in the library's online catalog at: http://hedgehog.oit.edu/search. These books can be used in the library but not checked out.
The library also has other books on philanthropy, nonprofit organization management, and funding sources in the main circulating collection. These books may be checked out by OIT students, staff, and faculty, or by registered community borrowers. For information on loan policies to community borrowers, go to: http://www.oit.edu/libraries/info/services/community.
Most of the funders listed in the Grants collection directories provide grants only to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. As a rule, neither private nor government grants are available for small business development. The OIT Small Business Development Center at: http://www.oit.edu/sbdc may be able to provide information on loans or sources of expertise for small business entrepreneurs.
For information on how to find and apply for government grants, go to http://www.grants.gov/.
Additional reference help is available at the Information Services / Research Assistance desk during reference hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Users of the Foundation Directory Online database, as well as the printed book collection are encouraged to make an appointment with a reference librarian for an individual consultation.