Grant research through the The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library has pivoted through the pandemic to make it as accessible as possible to nonprofit leaders. During COVID “quarantine” times, The Foundation Directory Online Essential Tier, a search engine for grant opportunities, had been available 24/7 through home access with a library card. 

As of Thursday, March 25, with a Cincinnati Public Library card, individuals will only be given one single 24-hour period (within a given month) to have home access to this database. (A day pass can be re-issued after 30 days.)  For library card holders — the good news with returns to “normalcy” is that the Foundation Directory Online Essential Tier has returned to being available for daily use at the main library – but the only catch is that use is by appointment only. 

NOTE: To assist agencies that can’t devote time for a downtown visit, or for agencies that need more extensive grant lists than they are able to do for themselves, OneSource Center now provides grant search services. Several agencies have utilized this offering, and laud its benefits. Contact Vickie Ciotti to get more information!

Kent Mulcahey, the library’s grant resource librarian, is an incredible resource and is available for Zoom/Google Meet sessions to discuss strategies and help guide your library grant search for the very best funders if you would like to utilize him during your “at home” pass day.  (Be sure to set up an appointment ahead of time to be sure he is available.)  

Questions? Email Kent at kent.mulcahy@cincinnatilibrary.org for instruction sheets, guidance or appointment times. Email Kent to schedule your grant research time at the library as well. More information, provided by the Grant Research team at the Cincinnati Library is here.