Guide to Federal Resources

The programs listed below have been complied by USFA from the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) to assist emergency services departments in locating resources provided by the Federal government. Approximately 130 programs and resources of interest to emergency services departments have been identified, including direct financial support in the form of grants, loans, donations and reimbursements; technical and operational assistance; training; and information resources. A guide on how to develop and write a grant proposal is also included.

Type of Assistance Description
Formula Grants Allocations of money to States or their subdivisions in accordance with distribution formulas prescribed by law or administrative regulation, for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project.
Project Grants The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
Direct Payment for Specified Use Financial assistance from the Federal government provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity by conditioning the receipt of the assistance on a particular performance by the recipient. This does not include solicited contracts for the procurement of goods and services for the Federal government.
Direct Loans Financial assistance provided through the lending of Federal monies for a specific period of time, with a reasonable expectation of repayment. Such loans may or may not require the payment of interest.
Training Programs which provide instructional activities conducted directly by a Federal agency for individuals not employed by the Federal government.
Dissemination of Technical Information Programs which provide for the publication and distribution of information or data of a specialized or technical nature frequently through clearinghouses or libraries. This does not include conventional public information services designed for general public consumption.
Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods Programs which provide for the sale, exchange, or donation of Federal real property, personal property, commodities, and other goods including land, buildings, equipment, food and drugs. This does not include the loan of, use of, or access to Federal facilities or property.
Provision of Specialized Services Programs which provide Federal personnel directly to perform certain tasks for the benefit of communities or individuals. These services may be performed in conjunction with nonfederal personnel, but they involve more than consultation, advice, or counseling.
Advisory Services and Counseling Programs which provide Federal specialists to consult, advise, or counsel communities or individuals to include conferences, workshops, or personal contacts. This may involve the use of published information, but only in a secondary capacity.
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use Financial assistance from the Federal government provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy Federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on the recipient as to how the money is spent. Included are payments under retirement, pension, and compensatory programs.
Guaranteed/Insured Loans Programs in which the Federal government makes an arrangement to identify a lender against part or all of any defaults by those responsible for repayment of loans.
Investigation of Complaints Federal administrative agency activities that are initiated in response to requests, either formal or informal, to examine or investigate claims of violations of Federal statutes, policies, or procedure. The origination of such claims must come from outside the Federal government.

For a complete listing of programs, please browse the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

Links of Interest