Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
Congressional
offices receive numerous requests for information on how to obtain funds. Many
organizations are not aware of the many and varied federal, state, and private
grants available to provide financial and technical assistance. Take a look at
the information below compiled by the Congressional Research Service for help.
|
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 state or local office is indicated,
check Regional Agency Offices tab at top of CFDA website for 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, 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, 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
(see Who is Eligible for a Grant?) 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 Resources
|
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 Recover 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.
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.
|
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.
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.