Federal Grants & Funding

Grants.gov
This federal grants Web site allows organizations to electronically find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from all federal agencies. Grantseekers can check on notices of funding availability posted in the last seven days, sign up to receive e-mail notification of future grant opportunities, and apply for federal grants online through a single process.


Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General Services Administration)
You can search or browse the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance by keyword and other indexes for grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.

The catalog, printed annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes about 1,600 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.

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 in full text on the Internet.
Although the full text of the catalog is available on the Internet, some may prefer a print edition. The catalog is available in all states in federal depository libraries. A published catalog can be ordered from the Government Printing Office (search "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance" or "CFDA" for cost and availability). However, only the Web Catalog is continuously updated – the printed volume is an annual publication with no supplements.


Federal, Regional, or Local Office Addresses
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, grantseekers should contact them before applying for funding to obtain the most up-to-date information.

For more information visit, the CFDA Appendix IV: Federal Regional or Local Office Addresses (by Agency or by State)


State Grants
Some states require federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. The state offices coordinate government (both federal and state) grants development and may provide guidance to grantseekers.

For help in identifying state-level grants and for more information about state grants, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.


Developing and Writing Grant Proposals
Guidance in formulating federal grant applications, including initial proposal development, basic components of a proposal, review recommendations, and referral to Federal guidelines and literature.
The CFDA includes information on how to write grant proposals. Follow CDFA's Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, or take the Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Short Course.
 

Help for Nonprofit Agencies
The Foundation Center can provide valuable information for nonprofit agencies looking for funding avenues.

Established in 1956 and today supported by close to 550 foundations, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed.

The center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants – a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level.

Thousands of people visit the center's Web site each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of more than 450 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and around the world.

You can also visit Resources For Nonprofits, which provides Internet-related tools and resources for nonprofit organizations.

More Help
Visit the following links for information on potential funding sources, including investor groups that review financing:

•  Business and Nonprofit Gateway – A network of links to federal government information services.
•  Federal Funds Express – A listing of recommended sources of information for researching grants and procurement, and other resources on the Internet.
•  The Grantsmanship Center – Gives current grants announcements, department and agency announcements of grant application review meetings, grant awards, deadlines, requests for comments on agency procedures, new rule reminders, and special events.
•  The Federal Register – The official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other presidential documents.
•  U.S. State and Local Gateway – This site was developed to give state and local governments easy access to federal government information, including federal partnership programs and links for states, city management, counties, legislatures, governors, cities, and mayors.
• PA Angel Network
• Small Business Investment Company Program
• List of all SBIC Licensees by State (PA)