Federal Grants

This website contains several resources to help you get started in the grant process. If you have additional questions please contact Bill Walker in our Midlands office at 803-939-0041.

Grant FAQ's: What to Know Before Getting Started!

Q. Is everyone eligible to receive federal grants?

A. Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for federal grants. Most federal grants are awarded to:

non-profits like charities, schools, community and faith-based organizations;
state & local government agencies;
public safety agencies like hospitals, police, and fire departments;
federally-recognized tribes.

Q. Does Congressman Wilson decide who gets awarded a grant?

A. No, Congressman Wilson does not decide who gets a grant and who does not. The federal cabinet department peer reviewer committees make those decisions based on objective criteria.

Q. Can Congressman Wilson’s office write and/or review my grant proposal?

A. Unfortunately, Congressman Wilson’s office cannot write or review grant proposals. We can help you identify federal grants for which you may be eligible through the tools listed here on this web page. We also may be able to write a letter of support for your proposal to the federal agency.

Q. If we do obtain a federal grant, will it fully cover my funding needs?

A. Federal grants rarely cover all the costs of a project. Many grants are designed to leverage other funding streams. 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 to know you'll become self-sufficient once your project gets off the ground and it will be sustainable when your grant period ends.

Q. Is obtaining a grant an easy process?

A. Applying for a grant can be a full time job. Grant writing is not to be taken for granted, it is a lot of work and federal funds have many requirements, such as regular evaluation reports. You will need time to research and develop your project and then to write the proposal. After submitting your proposal, it often takes the granting agency several months to decide which projects will be funded. It is neither quick nor easy, but it is possible and we highly encourage you to utilize my website to begin your search.

Research and Apply for Online via Grants.gov

Visit Grants.gov to begin your search and application today. Grants.gov is a NEW website that encompasses over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies. It streamlines the process of awarding over $350 billion annually to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits, and other organizations. We strongly encourage you to utilize this resource.

Quick Links to Useful Online Resources

Grants.gov: This website contains information and application forms for every grant offered by the federal government.

FedBizOpps.gov: This is the single government point-of-entry for Federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000. Government buyers are able to publicize their business opportunities by posting information directly to FedBizOpps via the Internet. Through one portal - FedBizOpps (FBO) - commercial vendors seeking Federal markets for their products and services can search, monitor and retrieve opportunities solicited by the entire Federal contracting community.

Catalog of Domestic Assistance: The online Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance gives you access to a database of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally -recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. After you find the program you want, contact the office that administers the program and find out how to apply.

Commerce Business Daily: This website provides notices of proposed government procurement actions, contract awards, sales of government property, and other procurement information.