My staff is happy help as you seek grant support for your programs and projects in North Dakota. Whether you are just starting the grant process or have already submitted your proposal, my staff can help provide information, write a letter of interest to grantors or facilitate communication with federal agencies. Though we are happy to help in these ways, we cannot write proposals on your behalf. For more information on preparing grant proposals, please visit the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), a reference source for federal programs. The CFDA offers information on Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, a free, online Proposal Writing Short Course, and sample proposals.

Feel free to contact my D.C. office at 202-224-2551 to discuss your proposal with my staff. If you are just beginning to consider funding opportunities, please look through the following information and resources.

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

Private Resources
The Foundation Center is a gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant-seeking process, writing a grant proposal, state libraries with grants reference collections and links to other useful websites.

• Guide to Funding Research  Overview of the funding research process for seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grant-making public charities.
• Proposal Writing Short Course  Introduction to writing proposals available in a variety of languages.
• Foundation Finder  Searchable database of  more than 70,000 private and community foundations.
• Requests for Proposals  Daily postings of requests for proposals (RFPs) from private funding sources by broad subject category.
• Foundation Center Cooperating Collections  Free funding information available in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit centers nationwide, including access to the Foundation Directory Online database.

Council on Foundations
A list of Community Foundations in North Dakota with contact information.

The Grantsmanship Center
Click on the map to find information about each state's foundations, community foundations and corporate giving programs.

State Resources
Before applying to the federal government, please be aware that most federal funds are first disbursed to state and local governments who then award the funds to private parties appropriately. If you have not already, check with any of the relevant state agencies for your funding needs (alternate site).

Federal Resources
Once all local and state opportunities have been pursued, there are a few registration steps that must be completed before eligible parties (see Who is eligible for a Grant?) can apply for funds with the federal government, both for organizations and individuals.

Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
Under Presidential Executive Order 12372, applications for certain federal grants and direct development activities must be submitted for review and comment to the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services (DCS) as the state Single Point of Contact. The review process allows state and local officials to submit comments and to make recommendations to the federal grantor agency. The North Dakota SPOC can be contacted at:

North Dakota SPOC
P.O. Box 2057
Bismarck, ND 58502-2057
Phone: (701) 328-2676
Fax: (701) 328-2308
jboyd@nd.gov

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance   (General Services Administration)
The CFDA, issued annually and updated frequently online, describes some 1600 federal grants and non-financial assistance programs. Grant-seekers can identify programs that might support their projects and can learn the programs’ objectives, requirements, application procedures and contacts. For current notices of funding availability, see Grants.gov or FedConnect.

Grants.gov  (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
Federal grants allow eligible grant-seekers to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. Grant-seekers can check on notices of funding availability posted in the last seven days; access RSS feeds of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online.

A-Z Index of U.S. Department and Agencies  (General Services Administration)
Search a department or agency's website to learn more about its programs and objectives to develop better grant proposals. The site USA.gov also links to Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Department of Energy)
Grants are the EERE's primary funding vehicle for businesses, industries, universities and others. Most EERE grants are competitively awarded based on merit. EERE financial assistance opportunities are listed in the Financial Opportunities by Audience database and on Grants.gov or FedConnect. 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 Open for Business -- Grants  (Department of Homeland Security)
Most DHS non-disaster grant programs are designated for state and local governments and specific entities such as colleges. Unsolicited applications from individuals are generally not accepted. DHS programs include the Urban Area Security Initiative, Citizens Corps, Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden (border security) and Infrastructure Protection. For more information, contact the state homeland security office. Programs for firefighters may be found at Assistance to Firefighters.

USA.gov for Business  (General Services Administration)
The GSA provides information on contracting with the federal government, international trade and exporting, and small business grants. The Small Business Administration also provides information on financial assistance.

USA.gov for Nonprofits  (General Service Administration)
Nonprofit organizations will find information about federal department and agency services , including fundraising and outreach, grants, loans and other assistance, laws and regulations, management and operations, online services, registration and licensing, and tax information. The White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships also offers information on Grants and Resources.

Student Aid on the Web (Department of Education)
Financial assistance for education beyond high school is generally "need-based" and often includes loans and work-study, in addition to some grants. College and university applications, websites and brochures usually include financial aid information for prospective and incoming students.

GovBenefits.gov  (Department of Labor)
Government grants are not direct assistance to individuals, but fund state and local programs providing help to those in need. This online screening site can be used to identify and find application information for state and local government benefits. The resource covers direct payments, loans, insurance, training or other services.