Find federal government grants

There are many grants and funding opportunities available for organizations and state and local governments. The following resources provide information on specific types of grants and the application process.

Grants.gov has been designed to make to it easier for organizations and state or local government to find and apply for more than $400 billion in federal grants. With electronic access to more than 1,000 grant programs, the site streamlines the grant process.

The Grants.gov User Guide supplies detailed instructions for every step of the federal grant application process. Visitors can use the site's search tool to locate specific federal grants by keyword, category, agency and/or eligibility. E-mail notifications of grant opportunity postings are also available.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) includes a full listing of federal programs available to state and local governments, Indian tribal governments, as well as public, private and nonprofit organizations, specialized groups and individuals. CFDA categorizes federal grants into 15 types of assistance. The site also provides guidelines for developing and writing successful grant programs.

Recovery.gov is an official government Web site that directs visitors to grants and funding opportunities made possible by the Recovery Act.

GovBenefits.gov is an official federal benefits Web site that contains information on more than 1,000 benefit and assistance programs. Visitors can access information by searching for a specific benefit such as disability assistance, disaster relief and energy assistance.

The Federal Register is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The official daily publication includes federal grant rules, proposals and notices related to federal agencies and organizations, executive orders and other presidential documents. Visitors can search the site for specific information or sign up for a daily e-mail of the Federal Register's table of contents.

GovBenefits.gov offers information on specific grants and benefits available in areas such as education, housing and childcare. Visitors can view specific program details and check their eligibility.

Business.gov is a government resource that helps small businesses identify financing opportunities, understand legal requirements and locate government services. The Business Loan Checklist and the Small Business Administration Loan Application Checklist help visitors identify the information and documentation needed to fill out most basic loan applications.

DisasterAssistance.gov contains information about obtaining a government grant or financial assistance after a disaster or emergency situation. Visitors can complete an online application.

The Department of Education's Student Aid on the Web provides information on post-secondary education preparation and funding. Visitors can access current student aid publications, a college savings calculator and other financial aid tools, as well as information about the loan application process and repayment.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) includes a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including 7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans. Business owners can access information on eligibility requirements, loan programs, surety bonds and 7(a) lender programs. The site also includes a free online course, Finance Primer: Guide to SBA's Loan Guaranty Programs.

GovLoans.gov is a government Web site that identifies government loans available by type, including education, business and housing. Once visitors choose a particular loan, they can learn more about the application process, loan terms and program requirements.

The Disability Funders Network (DFN) is not a grant-making organization. Instead DFN works to increase the amount of funding flowing to organizations. The site offers a number of different resources to help identify and obtain financing.

The Foundation Center directs visitors to a database of funded projects and helpful resources, such as the foundation online directory that identifies sources of funding. Visitors can also check funding statistics and find local funding resources.