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Grants and Funding
If you or your organization is interested in applying for federal grants
or funding, my offices may be able to help. Below is a link to an
informational Web page, prepared by the Congressional Research
Service, which provides helpful information on Federal grants
and assistance, as well as on private foundation funding.
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 Regional or Local Office Addresses (by Agency
or by State).
- Search Federal Web sites given in each CFDA program
description for more information and for State Administering Agencies
responsible for managing these programs.
- Check current Federal grants postings at Grants.gov and
apply online.
- Search also foundations for project funding: use
the Foundation
Center Web site 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 (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 Web sites include: State
and Local Agencies by Topic, the Library of Congress' State
Government 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.
Related Federal Resources |
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A-Z
Index of U.S. Departments 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 an Government
Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Homeland
Security State Contacts & Grant Award Information (Dept.
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
for Business (General Services Administration)
Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international
trade and exporting, and small business. See also Business.gov and
the Small
Business Administration Web sites.
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 Nonprofits (General Services Administration)
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. [Download
a free PDF reader]
GovBenefits.gov (GSA)
Free online screening tool to identify government 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)
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).
The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, also warns consumers
to beware of paying “processing fees” for free information.
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.
Grant
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.
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
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
Guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for projects, as well as on private funding.
Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, updated October 2008.
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How Best to Find Information |
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- Find out �Who is eligible for a Grant?� Other government websites may be more suitable for personal needs, student loans, small business assistance , or other business opportunities such as government contracting. The website Government Benefits, Grants, and Financial Aid may also be of help.
- If eligible, search for program information in 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 Regional or Local Office Addresses.
- Go to 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, register and obtain a DUNS number, sign up for e-mail notification, and apply online.
- Search foundations for project funding: use the
Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center Cooperating 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 free online Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.
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Key Federal Funding Sources |
TOP |
Grants.gov (managed by Dept.
of Health and Human Services)
Federal website that allows eligible grantseekers to electronically find and
apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies.
Grantseekers can check on notices of funding availability (NOFA) posted in the last
7 days; sign up to receive e-mail notification of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online. The website guides grantseekers in obtaining a DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number and registering at Grants.gov to apply and to track applications. 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
(CFDA)
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)
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 federal financial assistance and may direct federal development. For help in identifying state-level grants, other state government agencies websites may be found at : State and Local Agencies by Topic.
CFDA in Local Libraries (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.
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Related Federal Resources |
TOP |
A-Z Index of U.S. Departments 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 links to Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Homeland Security State Contacts & Grant Award Information (Dept. of Homeland Security)
Click on map for state allocations and contact information. Most Homeland Security non-disaster grant programs are designated for state and local governments and specific entities such as colleges, etc. Unsolicited applications from individuals are generally not accepted. Includes Urban Area Security Initiative, Citizens Corps, Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden (border security), Infrastructure Protection. Programs for firefighters may be found at Assistance to Firefighters.
Disaster Assistance (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Disaster assistance programs activate only after a Presidential disaster declaration is issued and is restricted to those residing within the disaster area. 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 for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international trade and exporting, and small business. See also financial assistance links atBusiness.gov and the Small Business Administration websites.
USA.gov for Nonprofits (General Services Administration)
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 Organizations (Office of Faith-Based and Community Organizations)
Federal departments and agencies 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 , and A Guide to Federal Economic Development Programs for Faith-Based and Community Organizations. 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. [Download a free PDF reader]
Student Aid on the Web (Dept. of Education)
Information on funding education beyond high school, including grants, loans, and work-study assistance to qualified students.
GovBenefits.gov (via Department of Labor)
Includes information on over 1,000 government assistance programs, and how to apply. Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services.
FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
The FTC warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for information that is available free to the public. Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home business, unpaid bills, or other personal expenses are often a scam.
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.
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Private & Corporate Funding Sources |
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The Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet websites. The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars.
Grant 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.
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Tracking Federal Funds |
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Tracking of Federal Funds
- USAspending.gov (Office of Management and Budget)
A free, searchable database of federal government spending based upon Census and General Services Administration statistical data. Grants (Assistance tab) and Contracts must be searched separately: by individual organization or grant recipient; by place of performance, including by congressional district; or by federal department or agency.
- 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 is provided for state and county levels.
CRS contact for congressional offices, Merete F.Gerli, x77109
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