START OR GROW YOUR ORGANIZATION
- 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.
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
- Government Funding:
- Private Funding:
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- Foundation Directory Online*
- Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- Foundation Center’s Request for Proposals
- Grantmakers.io
- * Available only inside Library locations.
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- Nonprofit management resources
- Starting a nonprofit 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
- AARP Small Business Resource Center
- Grow with Google
- NAICS – North American Industrial Classification System-Look up
- Sample Business Plans
Business Associations and Local Chambers of Commerce
- Anthony Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce
- Maumee Chamber of Commerce
- Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Oregon Economic Development Foundation
- Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce
- Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce
- Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce
Local resources
- The Arts Commission
- Assets Toledo
- Center for Innovative Food Technology
- City of Toledo – Economic Development
- ECDI
- JumpStart
- LISC
- Lucas County Business Services
- Lucas County Health Department
- Minority Business Assistance Center
- Northwest Ohio SCORE
- Ohio MSDC
- Patent Trademark Resource Center
- Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
- Toledo Small Business Development Center
- Women of Toledo
State and federal resources
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Ohio Department of Taxation
- Ohio Department of Transportation – Northwest Ohio Outreach
- Starting a Business in Ohio
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- Ohio Development Services Agency
- Small Business Administration
- IRS Business Page
- Fed BizOpps
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
- Patent: USPTO.gov
- Trademark: USPTO.gov
- Copyright: Copyright.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.
Minding Your Own Business
(W) March 20 | 6:30 — 8 p.m. | Main Library
Managing Your Business Finances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minding Your Own Business
(Sa) May 11 | 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. | Main Library
Managing your Business Finances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Business Book Summaries
Provides concise yet comprehensive summaries of the best business books. Summaries also available in Chinese, French, German and Spanish.
Business Source Premier
Resource for business, including management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and more with full-text journals. Self-guided video
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.
Foundation Directory Online*
Information on 220,000 U.S. Foundations providing up-to-date funding knowledge and insight on the social sector to fuel any fundraising mission. * Available only inside Library Locations. Self-guided video
Gale Business Plan Builder
Step-by-step guide to creating and completing a business plan, entrepreneurial interests, opportunities, the nonprofit sector, and how to grow and position your business for long-term success. Self-guided video
Gale eBooks
Access books and publications within arts, biography, business, education, the environment, history, LGBTQ, medicine, multicultural studies, race, and civil rights. App Store | Google Play | Self-guided video
Gale Legal Forms
Provides legal forms including real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant, attorney state directory, and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen’s language. Self-guided video
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.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers unlimited access to courses in business, technology, creative, engineering, time management, computer skills, data analysis, and programming / development. Using the LinkedIn Learning app: iOS or Android First time app: OH0215 | Self-guided video
Mergent Archives
Contains reports and documents from and on global companies and corporate industry (industrial, transportation, public utility, OTC).
Mergent Intellect
Access private and public U.S. and international business data, industry news, executive contact information, residential data, demographics, and consumer data.
Plunkett Research Online
Offers business intelligence, industry trends, market research, stats, leads, plus company contacts for over 30 different major industries and tips for job seekers.
Reference Solutions
Find new business opportunities, executives, companies, news articles, job searches, research papers, addresses, phone numbers, and market research. Self-guided video
Regional Business News
Contains full-text articles from 75 journals, newspapers and newswires about businesses from across the U.S. Self-guided video
Small Business Source
Watch videos and browse sources on a variety of business areas from accounting to marketing to operations. Get industry information by small business type and learn business basics. Self-guided video