Services
Grants
The state representatives on Senator Harkin's staff in Cedar Rapids will work with you to determine the availability of federal grant funding for your organization or institution's project or to determine if the senator can write a letter of support for your grant application.
If you need advice regarding grants, please develop a clear and concise description of the proposed project. When preparing this description, it is helpful to consider the project from the viewpoint of the program officer at a potential funding source.
Questions To Ask
The questions below may be helpful in preparing your grant proposal.
- What are the needs this project will address? How serious are they?
- Whom will it benefit and how? What immediate short and long range results are being sought?
- What methods are being proposed to achieve these results?
- Are there other projects currently in place or in the planning stage designed to meet these needs? How does this project differ? What is unique about it?
- How long will the project last? Is the timetable realistic?
- Can the proposed results be measured? Who will do the evaluation, and at what point?
- Are those making the proposal qualified to carry out the project? What are their credentials?
- Is there evidence of support from the beneficiaries of this project?
- Would there be community support?
- What other organizations are currently being approached for funding?
- Will the proposal attract additional financial support?
- What are the plans for the project at the end of the grant?
- How much is being asked for? What type of support is being asked for: construction funds, salaries, equipment, operating expenses? Is the figure realistic?
- Is the proposal consistent with the funding source's aims, resources, and geographic limitations?
Helpful Links
A number of government resources on the Web can help you find currently available grants. Your Web browser will open a new window to view each of these links.
- Notices of Funding Availability Search tool for daily announcements of new funding availability
- Federal Funding Report A weekly compilation of grant-related items published in the Federal Register
- Federal Register Online access to the federal government's daily publication of rules and notices -- including grants
- Federal Funds Express A comprehensive list of grant resource links from the House of Representatives
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance A database of federal programs available to state and local governments
- Nonprofit Gateway A starting point for federal resources available to nonprofit organizations
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance (Prepared by CRS)
The information below was prepared by the Congressional Research Service, which provides guidance and resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The slide show "Grants Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grant request.
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
Information Web page, prepared by the Congressional Research Service, gives guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The slide show "Grants Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grants request. [Updated March 2007 ]
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How Best to Find Information |
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Find funding programs and learn how to write grant proposals:
- Search or browse the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) by Keyword and other indexes for grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.
- Contact Federal office given in CFDA program description: if indicated, use CFDA Appendix IV: Federal Agency or Local Office Addresses (by Agency or by State).
- Search Federal websites given in each CFDA program description for more information and for State Administering Agencies responsible for managing these programs.
- Check current Federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, sign up for email notification, and apply online.
- Search also foundations for project funding: use the Foundation Center website or Foundation Center book collections in libraries to identify national, State, and community foundations.
- Learn how to write grant proposals: follow CFDA's Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, or take the Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.
Key Federal Funding Sources |
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- Grants.gov
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
- CFDA Indexes and Listings
- Writing Grant Proposals
- Federal Agency Contacts in States
- State Single Points of Contact
- CFDA in Print
- CFDA in Local Libraries
Grants.gov (via Dept.
of Health and Human Services)
Federal grants Web site that allows organizations to electronically find and
apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL Federal agencies.
Grant seekers can check on notices of funding availability posted in the last
7 days; sign up to receive e-mail notification of future grant opportunities;
and apply for Federal grants online through a unified process. For full Federal
program descriptions, see CFDA below.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (General Services
Administration)
The Catalog (CFDA), issued annually and updated continuously on the
Web, describes some 1600 Federal grants and non-financial assistance programs.
Grantseekers can identify programs that might support their projects and can
learn the program's objectives, requirements, application procedures and contacts.
For current notices of funding availability, see Grants.gov.
Catalog Indexes and Listings
(GSA )
Although keyword searching is often a good place to start, also browse by
broad subject (Functional Area), by Federal Department or Agency, or by Beneficiary
to identify more Federal funding programs. CFDA program
descriptions refer to local and regional Federal office addresses, to related
programs, and to Office of Management and Budget circulars, all available
full text on the Internet.
Developing and Writing Grant
Proposals (CFDA)
Guidance in formulating Federal grant applications, including initial proposal
development, basic components of a proposal, review recommendations, and referral
to Federal guidelines and literature.
Federal Regional or Local Office Addresses
(CFDA Appendix IV; by Agency or by State)
Much of the Federal grants budget moves to the States through formula and
block grants -- State, regional, and local Federal offices often handle grants
applications and funds disbursement. If the CFDA program
description refers to a State or regional Information Contact as listed in
Appendix IV, grantseekers should
contact them before applying for funding to obtain the most up-to-date
information.
State
'Single Points of Contact' (Office of Management and Budget)
Under Executive Order 12372, some States require Federal grants applicants
to submit a copy of their application for State government level review and
comment. The State offices listed here coordinate government (both Federal
and State) grants development and may provide guidance to grantseekers. For
help in identifying State-level grants, other State government agencies websites include: State and Local Agencies by Topic, State
Governments Information and National
Association of State Development Agencies.
CFDA in Print (Government Printing Office)
Although the Catalog is available full-text on the Internet, some
may prefer a print edition. However, only the Web Catalog is continuously
updated-- the published volume is annual with no supplements.
- The Catalog is available in all States in Federal Depository Libraries.
- Order the published Catalog from the Government Printing Office (search "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance" or "CFDA" for cost and availability).
Related Federal Resources |
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- A-Z Index Departments & Agencies
- Homeland Security Grants
- Disaster Assistance
- USA.gov for Government-to-Government
- USA.gov for Business
- USA.gov for Nonprofits
- Faith-Based Initiatives
- GovBenefits.gov
- FTC Consumer Alert
- Office of Management & Budget (OMB Circulars)
A-Z
Index of U.S. Department and Agencies
(General Services Administration)
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency's Home Page
to learn more about its programs and objectives. The site USA.gov
also has Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Homeland Security State Contacts & Grant Award Information (Department of Homeland Security)
(Scroll down for state map and programs). Information on federal homeland security and public safety grants. Includes Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program (UASI), Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), and Assistance to Firefighters.
Disaster Assistance
(Federal Emergency Management Agency)
FEMA disaster assistance falls into three general categories: Individual and
Households; Public Assistance for emergency services and repair or replacement
of damaged public facilities; and Hazard Mitigation funding to reduce future
losses to public and private property.
USA.gov Government-to-Government
(General Services Administration)
Thousands
of grants and loans are made by the Federal government to State and local
governments and other public entities. This site provides one-stop access to
grants management and Federal assistance programs, in addition to resources
about acquisition and procurement, financial management, and taxes.
USA.gov for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the federal government, international trade and exporting,
and small business. See also Business.gov
and the Small Business Administration websites.
USA.gov
for Nonprofits (GSA)
Links to Federal department and agency information and service for nonprofit
organizations, including fundraising and outreach, grants, loans and other
assistance, laws and regulations, management and operations, online services,
registration and licensing, and tax information.
Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives (Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives)
The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban
Development, Justice, and Labor operate a number of programs to serve Americans
in need for which faith-based and community organizations may apply. Consult
Guidance
to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal
Government and Federal
Funds for Organizations That Help Those in Need. Many are "formula
grants" made available to States and local governments, which in turn
award grants to grassroots and local organizations. To learn about them, contact
local and State agencies responsible for managing these programs.
GovBenefits.gov (via Department of Labor)
Free online screening tool to identify governmental benefits and how to apply.
Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services. Browse
programs by State, by category, or 'Get Results by Questionnaire.'
FTC
Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, warns consumers to beware
of paying "processing fees" for free information. Ads claiming federal
grants are available for home repairs, home business, unpaid bills are often
a scam. Most sources of grants don't give money to individuals for personal
need (except in disaster situations).
OMB Grants Management Web Site
(Office of Management and Budget)
OMB establishes
government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars
and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in Catalog
program descriptions and may be printed out fulltext.
Private & Corporate Funding Sources |
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The Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grantseeking process,
guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of State libraries with
grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet Web sites.
The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print,
Web, and CD-ROM directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies
in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars.
- Guide to Funding Research An overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities.
- Proposal Writing Short Course (also in Spanish, French, and other languages)
- Foundation Finder Search for information about more than 70,000 private and community foundations.
- Requests for Proposals Daily postings of requests for proposals (RFPs) from private funding sources by broad subject category.
- Foundation Center Cooperating Collections
(by State) Free funding information available in libraries, community foundations,
and other nonprofit centers nationwide.
Grants Resources by State
(Grantsmanship Center)
Click on state map to find links to information about a state's foundations,
community foundations, corporate giving programs and the state's home page.
Community
Foundation Locator (Council on Foundations)
Community foundations have special interest in funding local and community
projects.
Additional Sources |
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Tracking of Federal Funds
- Federal Aid to States
(Census Bureau)
FAS details actual expenditures of Federal grant funds to State and local governments. Figures are presented to the State level by program area and agency. - Consolidated Federal Funds Report
(Census Bureau)
In CFFR, grants generally represent obligations and include payments both to State and local governments and to nongovernmental recipients. Data are provided for State and county levels. - FedSpending.org (OMB Watch)
A free, searchable database of federal government spending based upon Census and General Services Administration statistics.
Grants and Other Funding Sources (House Information Resources)
Resource page, compiled for congressional offices, covering public and
private Web links under funding categories such as:
- Where to Find Federal Grants
- How to Apply for Grants
- Help with Managing the Grant Process
- Foundations
- Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
- Corporate Charitable Giving
- Small Business Resources
- International Trade & Development
- State & Local Govt. Funding Resources
- Disaster Assistance
- Money for College
- Scholarships - Specific Fields of Study
- Internships/Summer Employment
- Computers for Schools and Communities
- Other Educational Resources
- Surplus & Unclaimed Property
- Consumer Protection
- Demographic and Statistical Resources
- Other Helpful Resources