The Des Moines Central Library houses an excellent collection of free print and electronic grant resources. Library staff provide nonprofits and individuals training on finding grantmakers and determining grant prospects. We can also assist in locating resources on writing proposals, managing nonprofits, philanthropy, and more.
Foundation Center by Candid
The Foundation Center by Candid works to support and improve philanthropy through data, analysis and training. The Foundation Directory Online and Foundation Grants to Individuals are two powerful databases created to assist grantseekers in finding the funding they need. Both are available to use for free at the Central Library.
Foundation Directory Online (FDO) Professional
Updated weekly, the Foundation Directory Online provides information on more than 140,000 grantmakers and 13 million awarded grants, including foundation news and publications, RFPs, and 990s. A great resource for 501(c)(3) organizations to find funding prospects.
Foundation Grants to Individuals
This database includes information on nearly 14,000 foundation and public charity programs that fund students, artists, researchers, and other individual grantseekers.
Print Resources
Find materials on starting a nonprofit, grant writing, board development, fundraising, volunteerism, social entrepreneurship and more at the Central Library.
For eBooks on a variety of topics relating to nonprofits, check out the Candid section of Overdrive.
Online Resources
A federal government resource that allows agencies to apply for multiple federal grant funds through one site.
The Iowa Grants Guide is a free guide of nearly 700 funders in Iowa or with an Iowa connection.
Iowa’s funding opportunity search and grant management system. For funding offered by Iowa State agencies.
Candid Learning is a learning community that helps nonprofits worldwide become more viable grant applicants and build strong, sustainable organizations.
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.
Local Resources
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about, and providing leadership on important community issues.
Drake University’s Center for Professional Studies
The Center for Professional Studies delivers a variety of highly effective learning programs for business, public, and nonprofit organizations. Their team works with individuals to identify areas for improvement and develop programs of study, then brings in Drake’s top faculty to share their expertise in a professional setting. Programs can be conducted on or off campus. Check their upcoming programs & events page for grant writing workshops.