Grants

GRANTS

Federal assistance through grants and loans are critical for many in our state and such funding works to better the lives of all central Kentuckians. This page will provide you with a central location to search the vast amount of information about federal and state grants. We hope to provide the assistance you need in locating federal and state funding opportunities, the guidance on the process of researching grants and the information to effectively write a grant proposal. Congressman Chandler and his staff are available to answer any grant related questions or provide a letter of support for your organization’s grant application.

What is a Grant?

Grants are sums of money awarded by federal agencies and various organizations to finance a particular activity or facility. The federal government provides grant funding in four categories:

Formula Funding are allocations of money to states or localities in accordance with distribution formulas prescribed by law for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project.
Project Grants fund specific projects for fixed periods. I can be of great assistance in securing funding.
Direct Payments for Specified Use are a form of federal funding assistance provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity.
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use are a form of federal funding assistance provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions on how money is spent.

We hope the following categories will help you with the federal and state grant process.

How Best to Find Information
Key Federal Funding Sources
Related Federal Sources
Private and Corporate Funding
Tracking Federal Funds

Finding the Grant

Federal guidance and Internet resources from the Congressional Research Service: 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 following information is designed to help you find the grant program that is just right for you.

State government departments and agencies also fund projects and administer federal block grants, but information on state programs is not as easily accessible as federal resources on the web. The printed and web Catalogs include a "State Single Point of Contact" for grant seekers wanting general guidance in obtaining government grants. Federal grant applications may be required to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. This office coordinates government (both federal and state) grant development and provides guidance to grant seekers. In Kentucky the "State Single Point of Contact" is:

Lee Nailey
The Governor’s Office for Local Development
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 340
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-2382 Ext. 274

Also, various websites access state government web pages, and constituents may wish to search agency-by-agency and contact appropriate offices for information. Because federal funding is very limited, sources of private funding should also be considered.

How best to find information

Find out Who is Eligible for a Grant? Other government websites may be more suitable for personal needs, student loans, small business assistance , or other business opportunities such as government contracting. The website Government Benefits, Grants, and Financial Aid may also be of help.
If eligible, search for program information in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Includes grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.
Contact federal office given in CFDA program description: if indicated, CFDA Appendix IV: Federal Regional or Local Office Addresses (begins on CFDA p. DD-1).
Go to federal websites given in each CFDA program description for more information and for state administering agencies responsible for managing these programs.
Check current federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, register and obtain a DUNS number, a CCR number, and apply online (links and instructions given at the website).
Search foundations for project funding: use the Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center Cooperating Collections in libraries to identify national, state, and community foundations.
Learn how to write grant proposals: follow CFDA's Developing and Writing Grant Proposals (begins on CFDA p. FF-1), or take the free online Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.

Key Federal Funding Sources

Grants.gov (managed by Dept. of Health and Human Services)
Federal website that allows eligible grantseekers to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. Grantseekers can check on notices of funding availability (NOFA) posted in the last 7 days; access an RSS feed of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online. The website guides grantseekers in obtaining a DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number and registering at Grants.gov to apply and to track applications. For full federal program descriptions, see CFDA below.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General Services Administration)
The Catalog (CFDA), issued annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes some 1600 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.

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 federal financial assistance and may direct federal development. For help in identifying state-level grants, other state government agencies websites may be found at: State and Local Agencies by Topic.

CFDA in Local Libraries (Government Printing Office)
Although the Catalog is available full-text on the Internet, some may prefer a print edition. However, only the Web Catalog is continuously updated—the published volume is annual with no supplements. The Catalog is available in all states in Federal Depository Libraries.

Related Federal Sources

Recovery.gov (The White House)
Federal assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes grants-in-aid to state and local governments. Agency Recovery Sites links to information about federal agency and department programs. State Recovery sites cover state projects and state contacts for grants programs. The United States Conference of Mayors Main Street Economic Recovery website gives State Breakdown of ARRA and Key Program Summaries. The National Conference of State Legislatures webpage Economic Stimulus 2009 provides resources on components in the recovery package.

A-Z Index of U.S. 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 USA.gov also links to Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Department of Energy)
Grants are EERE's primary funding vehicle for businesses, industries, universities and others. Most EERE grants are awarded on merit on a competitive basis. EERE financial assistance opportunities are listed in the Financial Opportunities by Audience database and on Grants.gov. For state-by-state information on state, local. utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, search DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency).

Homeland Security State Contacts & Grant Award Information (Dept. of Homeland Security)
Click on map for state allocations and contact information. Most Homeland Security non-disaster grant programs are designated for state and local governments and specific entities such as colleges, etc. Unsolicited applications from individuals are generally not accepted. Includes Urban Area Security Initiative, Citizens Corps, Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden (border security), Infrastructure Protection. Programs for firefighters may be found at Assistance to Firefighters.

USA.gov for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international trade and exporting, and small business. See also financial assistance links at Business.gov and the Small Business Administration websites.

USA.gov for Nonprofits (General Services Administration)
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.

Student Aid on the Web (Dept. of Education)
Information on funding education beyond high school, including grants, loans, and work-study assistance to qualified students.

GovBenefits.gov (via Department of Labor)
Includes information on over 1,000 government assistance programs, and how to apply. Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services.

FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
The FTC warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for information that is available free to the public. Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home business, unpaid bills, or other personal expenses are often a scam.

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.

Tracking of Federal Funds

USAspending.gov (Office of Management and Budget)
A free, searchable database of federal government spending based upon Census and General Services Administration statistical data. Grants (Assistance tab) and Contracts must be searched separately: by individual organization or grant recipient; by place of performance, including by congressional district; or by federal department or agency.
Federal Aid to States (Census Bureau)
FAS details actual expenditures of federal grant funds to state and local governments. Figures are presented to the state level by program area and agency.
Consolidated Federal Funds Report (Census Bureau)
In CFFR, grants generally represent obligations and include payments both to state and local governments and to nongovernmental recipients. Data is provided for state and county levels.