Information Web page, prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, which 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 July 2006 ]
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How Best to Find Information |
Key Federal Funding Sources |
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General
Services Administration)
The Catalog (CFDA),
issued annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes some 1500 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: the
Library of Congress' State Government
Information and National
Association of State Development Agencies.
Related Federal Resources |
A-Z Index of U.S. Government 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 FirstGov.gov also has an A-Z Index of
Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Homeland Security Grants
(Dept. of Homeland Security)
Information
on Federal homeland security and public safety grant opportunities, whether
administered by DHS or
other departments and agencies. Covers First
Responder Grants (includes Assistance to Firefighters), Disaster/Response Program
Grants, and State Homeland
Security Contacts.
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. Also use portal to other federal disaster programs at DisasterHelp.gov.
FirstGov 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.
FirstGov Government-to-Government
(GSA)
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.
FirstGov 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.
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).
Federal Register (National
Archives)
The Federal Register, printed each business day, publishes
updates and notices affecting Federal assistance programs. Scroll down to check
current year; scroll down further to enter Catalog program number, or
subject/keyword "AND CFDA" in
Search Terms box.
Federal Funding Report (House Information
Resources)
Weekly compilation of items published in the Federal
Register which affect Federal domestic assistance programs. The summary
consists of three parts:(1) Federal Register Summary, (2) Early Warning
Grants Report, and (3) Disaster Loan Applications.
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 |
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.
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 |
Geographic Tracking of Federal Funds
Two U.S. Census Bureau
publications are the Federal government's primary printed documents detailing
the geographic distribution of Federal monies to States and Counties:
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: