Grants

How my office can help
George's office offers several services to support non-profit, local government,and public service agencies in the 7th Congressional District that are seeking grants. Assistance may include:

Letters of Support: A letter of support may be provided to accompany your organization’s grant application. These letters may be provided upon request and are for specific grant applications. Agencies are encouraged to consider providing a model letter or draft with their request.

Agency Inquiries: If you have questions about a specific grant opportunity prior to its deadline and you need assistance reaching a federal agency, George's staff can help you connect with staff from the federal agency to answer your inquiries. Please allow at least three days’ turnaround time. In many cases, staff can also assist applicants in receiving feedback on a federal application once awards have been issued.

For other grant related questions, please contact the Concord office at (925) 602-1880 or visit grants.gov to find grant opportunities.

Grant Resources
Grants are intended for projects serving state, community, and local needs. Most federal funding goes to state and local governments, which in turn may make sub-awards to local entities such as eligible nonprofit organizations. Local governments seeking funds for community services, infrastructure, and economic revitalization may be eligible to tap into state or federal funds.

Government assistance may also be available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, for initiatives such as establishing soup kitchens or after-school tutoring programs benefiting entire communities. For others, such as for individuals seeking financial help, starting or expanding a small business, or needing funds for education, benefits or loans may be available.

Individuals looking for government benefits (such as for child or health care, housing or energy costs, disability or veterans needs, or “living assistance”) may find useful the website GovBenefits.gov at http://www.govbenefits.gov.

Students seeking financial aid can search Student Aid on the Web at http://www.Studentaid.ed.gov.

To start or expand a small business, the federal government provides help in the form of loans, advisory, and technical assistance. See the Small Business Administration (SBA) website at http://www.sba.gov to find programs and state or local SBA offices.

Because government funds may be limited, sources of private funding should also be considered. State and community foundations may be particularly interested in funding local projects; many projects may require a combination of government and private funding. Local business or foundation funding might be appropriate for supporting local memorials or programs. For eligible state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, identifying appropriate programs, and then contacting federal and state agencies early in the process, before submitting formal applications, is recommended. State-located federal offices often handle federal grant applications and disbursement of funds. State government departments and agencies also fund projects and administer federal block grants.