| Federal
Grants
Across
California, concerned citizens are coming together to solve problems
and improve their communities. Often these innovative, local solutions
need financial support. That's where federal grants can help. Each
year, Congress provides federal agencies with money to support local
efforts through grants. The departments collect applications from
across the country and then select the most deserving projects based
on objective criteria.
This
guide has four sections: Four Myths about Federal Grants (below);
Step 1: Understanding Grants; Step
2: Look for Grants; and Step 3: Apply
for a Grant.
Four
Myths about Federal Grants
Myth
1: Anyone can get a federal grant.
Fact:
Not everyone is eligible for grants. Most grants are awarded
to:
•
non-profits like charities, schools and community organizations
•
state & local government agencies
•
federally-recognized tribes
•
public safety agencies like hospitals, police and fire departments
Myth
2: Congressman Miller decides who gets a grant. Mr. Miller's office
can write or review my grant proposal.
Fact:
Congressman Miller does NOT decide who gets a grant and who doesn't.
Those decisions are made by the cabinet department peer
review committees based on objective criteria. Unfortunately, Mr.
Miller's office cannot write or review grant proposals, but can
help identify federal grants for which an organization may be eligible.
Myth
3: If we just get this grant, it will take care of everything.
Fact:
Federal grants rarely cover all the costs of a project. Many
grants are designed to leverage other sources of funding. So if
an organization can't get the community to invest some money in
a project, don't expect a grant to pay all the bills. Grants often
provide a portion of the funds needed for a given project; many
grants even require non-federal matching funds of 10-25 percent,
some require more. Granters want an organization to become self-sufficient
once their grant period ends.
Myth
4: It's easy to get grants. It's "free money."
Fact:
Applying for a grant can be a full time job. Grant writing
is a lot of work and granted funds have many requirements. Those
applying for a grant will need time to research and develop a project
and write the application. It often takes the granting agency several
months to select a winner. It's not quick or easy, but it is possible.
Continue
to Step 1: Understanding Grants
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