small business and nonprofit support brochures

START OR GROW YOUR ORGANIZATION

We’re bringing our small business and nonprofit know­-how to Library locations throughout Lucas County. Each month, you’ll find business and nonprofit specialist librarians at:
New schedule:
  • Mott: First Tuesday | 9 a.​m.​ to 5 p.​m.​
  • Heatherdowns: Second Tuesday | 9 a.​m.​ to 5 p.​m.​
  • Sylvania: Third Tuesday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sanger: Fourth Tuesday | 9 a.​m.​ to 5 p.​m.​
Receive assistance with business plans, industry and donor research, nonprofit grants, and more!
45-minute appointments are available. Schedule an appointment to get started.

Looking to get started but unsure how? Find free, local business experts for technical assistance and resources through TOL Ramp. The Ramp can help you move forward by matching you with an organization that’s best positioned to assist you in your stage.

Let our staff help you find funding, start a nonprofit, research prospective donors, and develop a strategic or fundraising plan.

Need help getting started? Email our Small Business and Nonprofit Department or call 419.214.6131 to set up an appointment. You can also sign up for our monthly Nonprofit Support newsletter.

Personalized grants search for nonprofit organizations

Simply complete this FORM and your results will be emailed back to you.

Grant funding resources

Our staff can help whether you already have a business or you see an unmet need and want to start a business. We have the expertise and tools to help you: learn about the business you’re interested in; know your competition; define your overall goals, and create a business plan.

Need help getting started? Email our Small Business and Nonprofit Department or call 419.259.5244 to set up an appointment. You can also sign up for our quarterly Business newsletter.

Additional Business Resources

Business Associations and Local Chambers of Commerce

Local resources

State and federal resources

 

 

The Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) is part of a nationwide network of public, state, and academic libraries designated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to support the public with trademark and patent assistance.

One-to-One Assistance:

  • The Library offers one-to-one assistance with a Business Specialist Librarian to begin your search.
  • Researchers may make an appointment by calling 419.259.5244 or emailing business@toledolibrary.org
  • The USPTO website offers a public patent search you can do from home or office.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask for helpful research tips or let us conduct a sample search with you.
  • Library staff are prohibited from conducting your actual search, offering legal advice or opinions.

Research session tips:

  • Determine what type of intellectual property you need.
  • Always start at a site ending in .GOV

Free Monthly Resource:
Ask a Patent/Trademark/Copyright Attorney is every FIRST Thursday 7 p.m. Offered online.

Additional quick links:

Business Basics

Presented by the Small Business Development Center

(Tu) March 19 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Main Library

Gain the knowledge you need to kick-start your business venture. This event provides insight into choosing the right entity as well as preparation when it comes to start-up mistakes and operations.

Register

Minding Your Own Business

(W) March 20 | 6:30 — 8 p.m. | Main Library

Managing Your Business Finances.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) April 4 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

Business Basics

(Tu) April 9 | 9:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Heatherdowns

Thinking about starting, buying or expanding your new business? Business Basics is a seminar that will take the confusion out of your efforts and help you avoid costly mistakes or unnecessary steps.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) April 10 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

One Year Action Plan for Success

(Sa) April 20 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

This program will take your business plans and create an operational and strategic plan that will be true to your mission and core values while activating your vision and goals.

Register

The Entrepreneur's Roadmap: Business Plan Development

(M) April 22 | 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. | Main Library

Ready to start your journey toward a new business venture? If you’re convinced that entrepreneurship is the route for you, take this introductory business planning course to chart a strong foundation.

Register

Business Basics

(Tu) April 23 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Sanger

Thinking about starting, buying or expanding your new business? Business Basics is a seminar that will take the confusion out of your efforts and help you avoid costly mistakes or unnecessary steps.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) May 2 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) May 8 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

Minding Your Own Business

(Sa) May 11 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

Managing your Business Finances.

Register

Media Relations for Small Businesses & Nonprofits

(W) May 15 | 10 a.m. — noon | Main Library

Did you know that press releases can improve brand visibility by nearly 70%? In this class, learn effective media relations strategies that will positively impact your organization.  

Register

One Year Action Plan for Success

(W) May 15 | 6:30 — 8 p.m. | Main Library

This program will take your business plans and create an operational and strategic plan that will be true to your mission and core values while activating your vision and goals.

Register

GrantsLab: Introduction to Proposal Writing

(W) May 29 | 10:30 a.m. — noon | Main Library

Learn how to build the foundation of a solid nonprofit grant proposal.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) June 6 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) June 12 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

Content Planning: New Season, Fresh Marketing

(Th) June 13 | 10 a.m. — noon | Main Library

Start your summer feeling ready to engage with your audience! This class will guide you through developing a content plan you can adapt through the rest of this year for various marketing efforts.

Register

Product Photography: Principles for Smartphones

(M) June 17 | 5:30 — 7 p.m. | Main Library

Led by local product photographer Jennifer Beachy, learn universal basic principles for excellent product photography, and how these principles can be applied with a standard smartphone camera.

Register

Minding Your Own Business

Bookkeeping for the small business

(Sa) June 22 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

Learning how to manage your bookkeeping as a business owner allows you to understand recordkeeping and create a system that will lead to accounting and financial projections.

Register

The Entrepreneur's Roadmap: Business Plan Development

(W) June 26 | 10 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Ready to start your journey toward a new business venture? If you’re convinced that entrepreneurship is the route for you, take this introductory business planning course to chart a strong foundation.

Register

One Year Action Plan for Success

(Sa) July 20 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

This program will take your business plans and create an operational and strategic plan that will be true to your mission and core values while activating your vision and goals.

Register

Minding Your Own Business

Bookkeeping for the small business

(Sa) August 3 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

Learning how to manage your bookkeeping as a business owner allows you to understand recordkeeping and create a system that will lead to accounting and financial projections.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) August 8 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) August 14 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

One Year Action Plan for Success

(Sa) August 24 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library

This program will take your business plans and create an operational and strategic plan that will be true to your mission and core values while activating your vision and goals.

Register

GrantsLab: Introduction to Proposal Writing

(W) August 28 | 2 — 3:30 p.m. | Main Library

Learn how to build the foundation of a solid nonprofit grant proposal.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) September 5 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) September 11 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

Product Photography: Principles for Smartphones

(W) September 25 | 1:30 — 3 p.m. | Main Library

Led by local product photographer Jennifer Beachy, learn universal basic principles for excellent product photography, and how these principles can be applied with a standard smartphone camera.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) October 3 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) October 9 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

GrantsLab: Introduction to Proposal Writing

(W) November 6 | 2 — 3:30 p.m. | Main Library

Learn how to build the foundation of a solid nonprofit grant proposal.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) November 7 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register

GrantsLab: Finding Your Funder

(W) November 13 | 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. | Main Library

Get a bite-sized overview on how to find a funder who aligns with your nonprofit's mission.

Register

Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney

(Th) December 5 | 7 — 8:30 p.m. | Online Programs

Attorneys will provide an overview of intellectual property, explain the differences between patents, trademarks and copyright, and be available to answer your questions.

Register
2023-09-28T17:21:57+00:00

D&B Hoovers

Companies gain a deeper understanding of their market opportunities so they can make more informed decisions by combining and analyzing data from a wide variety of sources.

2023-10-30T13:23:03+00:00

GuideStar

Philanthropic research report database designed to fill in the knowledge gaps you need to find the best charities to which to donate.
*Available only inside Library Locations.