Federal Grants

As Idaho's Congressman, I received numerous requests for information about federal funding programs. Funding programs are a great way to provide additional resources for schools, cities and non-profit organizations. However, the most difficult task is finding accurate information about federal programs.

In response to requests I have received, I have hosted numerous Funder's Fairs throughout the Second Congressional District since 2001. The Funder's Fair is a one day workshop devoted to bring federal and state agencies plus private funding sources to rural communities to share information about their funding programs.

The 2005 Funder's Fairs will be held on May 9th at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and on May 10th at the Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls.

How Best to Find Information

1. Search Grants.gov
   Grants.gov is the first federal website to provide information and the ability to apply for the over 900 grant programs from the 26 Federal grant-making agencies.
   
   
2. Search the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The CFDA is the best source of information about the 1,400 federal grants and non-financial assistance programs administered by departments and agencies of the Federal government. Users of the catalog can identify programs that meet specific objectives of their projects as well as state or regional contact addresses and telephone numbers.
   
   
3. Search other Web sites that access Federal program and grants information
   Examples
   • U.S. Business Advisor - a Small Business Administration web site intended to provide businesses with access to federal government information, services and transactions.
   • Government Gateway - provides information about the thousands of grants and loans made by the federal government to states, local governments and other public entities. This site provides one-stop grants management and federal assistance programs, in addition to resources about Acquisition and Procurement, Financial Management and Taxes.
   • U.S. Government Non-Profit Gateway - provides links to federal departments and agency information and services to assist organizations.
     Examples:
     • USDA Nonprofit Gateway
     • Small Business Administration
     • Education: Funding Opportunities
     • Environmental Protection Agency
     • Health and Human Services
     • Housing and Urban Development: Funding
     • Interior Department Nonprofit Gateway
     • Justice Department Community Support Grants
     • Labor Department Nonprofit Information Gateway
     • National Institute of Health Grants
     • Transportation: Grants Information and Policy
   
   
   
4. Search for Private Foundations. Because federal and state funding is competitive and may not be appropriate for your organization search for private foundations that might be interested in your project. Use the Foundation Center website or Foundation Center book collections in libraries to identify national, state and community foundations.
   
   
5. Visit the Funding Information Center or the Eastern Idaho Funding Information Center
   Idaho is fortunate to have two Foundation Center’s cooperating site. The Funding Information Center located at the Boise Public Library and the Eastern Idaho Funding Information Center at the Marshall Public Library in Pocatello. Both sites offer a wide selection of books and other resources related to philanthropy with emphasis on foundation and corporate giving and government assistance.
   

Related Federal Funding Sources

Federal Register
The Federal Register, printed each business day, publishes updates and notices affecting federal assistance programs.

Federal Funding Report
Weekly compilation of items published in the Federal Register which affect domestic programs. The summary consists of three parts; (1) Register Summary, (2) Early Warning Grants Reports, and (3) Disaster Loan Applications.

Notices of Funding Availability
Notices of Funding of Availibilty (NOFAs) are announcements that appear in the Federal Register inviting applications for federal grant programs. The page lets you generate a customized listing of NOFAs by date, by broad subject and by department/agency.

OMB Grants Management Web Site
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines circulars and common rules. OMB Circulars are sites in Catalog descriptions: some programs descriptions on the Internet version of the Catalog directly to OMB circulars required for program management, other just Circular numbers which may then be printed from this Web site.

How to Write a Grant Proposal

Competitions for grants are becoming more intense, especially in time of funding cutbacks and economic downturns. A well-written proposal can make a difference in getting your project funded. Any of these three sources can help you learn to write a proposal.

Foundation Center Proposal Writing “Short Course”
Developing and Writing Grant Proposals (CFDA)

I hope this information has been useful to you. Should you need more information my office is ready to assist you. Please complete the following information: