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Business Resources

Whether you are developing a new business, or need help with one that already exists – we got you covered. Below you will find resources from how to start a business, to meeting rooms to bring your ideas to life, and everything in between. Need help with something more specific? Feel free to talk with our Business Librarian!


Business Research


The Business Librarian is trained to help small businesses, nonprofits and job seekers find the information they need to make decisions.



Get help with:

  • Developing a new business or nonprofit
  • Working through challenges of a current business or nonprofit
  • Planning a grant seeking strategy
  • Locating job-seeking resources
  • and much more!
Book the Business Librarian

You can also call 541-734-3992 to make an appointment.

Meeting Rooms


JCLS meeting rooms are available at no charge to the public. A current JCLS library card is required to book a meeting room.  If a group is from out of the area, a JCLS non-resident library card may be purchased.


Book a Meeting Room

Small Business Resource Guide

Find the info you need to create a new business, or pivot an existing business.

Industry

Business and Industry Statistics 
Market share info for specific industries 

Income Statistics 
Current labor statistics by industry 

Agriculture 
Resources to learn about capital and land acquisition 

 

Economy

Economic Indicators 
Consumer and spending information 

Money and Interest Rates 
Statistics for informed spending 

Trade Statistics 
National product availability and U.S. standing in global economy 

 

Consumer

Consumer Statistics 
Financial indicators about your future customers 

Demographics 
Customer research based on demographics and travel 

Production and Sales Statistics 
Product and sales planning 

Google 
Products and services being searched by location 
Track your research geographically 

Local

City and State Resources for Jackson County, Oregon 
Local resources to support small businesses 

Secretary of State – Oregon 
Business search and registration 

Jackson County Roads
Consumer travel data

 

Small Business Administration 
Business planning guide

 


Small Business Antiracist Resources


Contributing librarians have worked together to create a guide for business owners, entrepreneurs and students who are interested in creating equitable, diverse and inclusive places of business for all. Small business has a big impact on local communities. Provided here are resources to create equitable impacts on local communities.

Articles & Reports

U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism

How Monique Melton is Helping You Be An Antiracist

Google Think Tank Search
*Search tool for weblinks to public policy information from universities, government, advocacy groups, foundations, and non-governmental organizations. 

Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters

The Economic Impact of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

COVID-19: Investing in Black Lives and Livelihoods

Guides

Anti-Racist Organizational Change for Nonprofits

Training and Resources: Anti Racist Organizational Development

Provides resources relevant for any organization, including the important 

self-assessment questions organization leaders should be asking.

Anti-Oppression LibGuide: Identifying Our Biases 

Describes what bias is, and explores biases inherent in people and technology.

The Business Case for Racial Equity: A Strategy for Growth

The Competitive Advantage of Racial Equity

Developed in partnership with PolicyLink and funded by the Ford and W.K. Kellogg foundations

Anti-Oppression: Anti-Racism

Anti-Racist Resouces

Workshops & Training

Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture

Antiracism Organizing & Training

Anti-Racist Organizational Development

Training and Popular Education

Fostering Psychological Safety and Belonging on Teams

Books

Achieving Racial Equity in Your Workplace: A Guide for Leaders
Author: Michael A. Burkart

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do
Author: Jennifer L. Eberhardt

The Token: Common Sense Ideas for Increasing Diversity in Your Organization
Author: Crystal Byrd Farmer

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Author: Robin DiAngelo

Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm
Author: Robin DiAngelo

Fearless Commerce
Author: Shawntera Hardy

How to Be an Antiracist
Author: Ibram X. Kendi

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Author: Ibram X. Kendi

American Indian Business: Principles and Practices
Author: Deanna M. Kennedy

Race and work
Author: Karyn A. Loscocco

On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope
Author: DeRay Mckesson

So You Want to Talk About Race
Author: Ijeoma Oluo

Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor
Author: Layla F Saad

Native American Entrepreneurs
Author: Ron Sheffield

Contributing Librarians

Thank you to all of the Librarians across the United States who have contributed to this guide. 

Chelsea Barrett
Business Librarian / Reference Coordinator
Seton Hall University-Walsh Library, New Jersey

Amelia Cohoes
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Librarian
Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central, Minnesota

Elanna Erhardt
Business Librarian
Jackson County Library Services, Oregon

Sarah Fouts
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Columbus State Community College, Ohio

Laura Kohl
Director of Library Services
Douglas and Judith Krupp Library – Bryant University, Rhode Island

Nancy Lovas
Entrepreneurship and Business Librarian
University Libraries at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tim Tully
Business Librarian
San Diego State University Library & Information Access, California



Non-Profit Resources


Nonprofits are an important part of the Jackson County economy, and have many of the same needs as small businesses. However, nonprofits do have some unique challenges.

One unique resource for nonprofits is the Foundation Directory eResource.

The Foundation Directory empowers you to connect with the right foundations to strengthen community services at your organization. Access over 140,000 foundation profiles. View giving subject focuses, and LinkedIn connections to officers and directors to grow your nonprofit network. And find each foundation’s history of giving to individual nonprofits. With this powerful tool at your fingertips, you can begin the path toward successful grant writing.

Foundation Directory (Available in-library only)

Nonprofit & Grant Seeking Research Guide

The world of nonprofit startups and organizations is very different from small business. This guide lists the resources you need to begin the journey of creating a nonprofit, or find tools to succeed in your existing organization.

Who is eligible to write a grant, and win grant funding?

Generally, registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for grants. However, groups or individuals with a vested interest in an issue can occasionally find eligibility to apply for some grants. Some groups seek fiscal sponsorship from established 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Some groups qualify if the work they are doing aligns with the missions of specific foundations. There are a lot of variables, and this resource list will help you navigate.   

  • IRS: Charities and Nonprofits 
    There are many nonprofit legal status options. Each one functions to serve a specific purpose. This guide defines all tax-exempt legal statuses and describes their benefits and limitations.  
  • The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need  
    If you are new to grant writing, this is a great guide to what grants are and are not, who should write grant proposals, how, and the planning process involved.  
  • Government Grant Applicant Eligibility 
    If you have never written a government grant, this resource offers some guidance on where to begin.  
  • Grant Writing: An Intensive Series  
    Watch a recording of a grant writing course given at the library several years ago.  There are four recordings, each lasting about an hour.
  • Foundation Directory Online  
    This database is a great resource for learning about foundations, their funding priorities and past funding. 

What is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization?

IRS: Charities and Nonprofits 

The IRS defines 501(c)3 organizations as federally recognized organizations that are tax exempt, and eligible to receive tax deductible contributions in accordance to specific codes.  

National Council of Nonprofits 

The National Council of Nonprofits offers a definition that may be easier to digest. “Charitable nonprofits embody the best of America. They provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. They give shape to our boldest dreams, highest ideals, and noblest causes. America’s 1.3 million charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people of every age, gender, race and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border, and beyond. They foster civic engagement and leadership, drive economic growth, and strengthen the fabric of our communities. Every single day.” 

Both of these definitions are accurate. The IRS highlights the legal and financial structure, while the NCN highlights the social structure.

How do I start a nonprofit organization?

NOLO Starting and Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide 

NOLO guides are great for learning legal structures and processes. They can be read as a reference source, or cover to cover if you are studying to be as prepared as possible. 

Local and National Nonprofit Resources 

  • Jefferson Funders Forum 
    Resources and data on nonprofit organization building and structure. 
     
  • Gordon Elwood Foundation 
    Educational resources to help organizations and businesses move forward in their mission in the best way possible. 
     
  • Nonprofit Association of Oregon 
    To help Oregon’s nonprofits thrive, NAO has developed Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence – proven ethical, legal, equitable and effective best practice resources that nonprofits can access and use to guide their work. These Principles and Practices embed Independent Sector’s Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice and contextualize them to Oregon.  
     
  • National Council of Nonprofits 
    The National Council of Nonprofits produces and curates tools, resources, and samples for nonprofits. View the most recent additions, browse by category or tag, or search for the specific information you are looking for.  


Financial Information Resources for Families and Individuals


Everyone needs information about how to manage our financial wellbeing. The resources listed here are
designed to help you along your way as you plan for your future, support a family, recover from financial fraud
or natural disasters, etc. The information here was curated with guidance from FINRA (Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority) and the ALA (American Library Association).


Financial Information Web Resources
Recursos de Informacion Financiera