Grantwriting is critical to Island nonprofits, but many lack the skills to research and identify the right grants. Those organizations with skilled grantwriters still may find their resources stretched going to Boston, the closest place to house a comprehensive database of grants — the closest, that is, until now.

The Martha’s Vineyard Donors Collaborative has funded the installation of a new Grant Resource Center at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. This database will be available free at the library to all Island nonprofits.

Still, the mass of information can be tricky to navigate, so the collaborative is offering free training to Islanders who would in return make themselves available from time to time to help others here.

The daylong training workshop will be on Feb. 9, with experts from Boston teaching grant writing and research. It will be at the library, using the Grant Resource Center.

To be considered for the free training, please e-mail peter@mvdonors.org.