As the Representative for Maine's Second Congressional District, Mike
wants to ensure that Mainers have access to information on all available federal
funding opportunities. This page
contains guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find
information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for projects,
as well as on private funding.
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) by Keyword
and other indexes for grants, loans, business and nonfinancial
help.
- Contact federal
office given in CFDA program description: if indicated, use CFDA
Appendix IV: Federal Regional or Local Office Addresses.
- 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, sign up for e-mail notification, and apply online.
- 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, or take the free online Foundation Center
Proposal Writing Short
Course.
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Key Federal Funding Sources
Grants.gov (managed
by Dept. of Health and Human Services)
Federal website that allows eligible grantseekers to electronically 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; sign up to receive e-mail notification 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.
Catalog Indexes and Listings
(CFDA)
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)
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 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.
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Related Federal Resources
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.
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.
Disaster
Assistance (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Disaster assistance programs activate only after a Presidential disaster
declaration is issued and is restricted to those residing within the disaster
area. 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.
USA.gov
for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the U.S.
government, international trade and exporting, and small business. See also
financial assistance links atBusiness.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.
Faith-Based and Community Organizations
(Office of Faith-Based and Community Organizations)
Federal departments and agencies 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 , and A
Guide to Federal Economic Development Programs for Faith-Based and Community
Organizations. 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. [Download a free PDF reader]
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.
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Private & Corporate Funding Sources
The
Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking
process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries
with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet websites.
The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print
and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies
in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars.
Grant 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.
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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.
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