Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
Information Web page, prepared by the
Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, which gives
guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial
assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The Slide show "Grants
Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key
sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grants request. [Updated March
2006 ]
How Best to Find Information |
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Find funding programs and learn how to write grant proposals:
- Search or browse 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 (by
Agency or by State).
- Search Federal Web sites given in each
CFDA program description for more information and for State
Administering Agencies responsible for managing these programs.
Search Federal Web sites for special grantseekers such as Business.gov, FirstGov for Government to Government, or
FirstGov for Nonprofits.
- Check current Federal grants postings at Grants.gov and apply online.
- Search also foundations for project funding: use the
Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center book 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
Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.
Key Federal Funding Sources |
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Grants.gov (via
Dept.
of Health and Human Services)
Federal grants Web site that allows organizations to electronically 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 7 days; sign up to receive e-mail notification of future grant
opportunities; and apply for Federal grants online through a unified
process. 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 1500 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
(GSA)
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; by Agency or by State)
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 government (both Federal
and State) grants development and may provide guidance to grantseekers. For
help in identifying State-level grants, other State government agencies Web
sites include: the Library of Congress'
State Government Information and
National Association of State Development Agencies.
CFDA in Print (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.
Related Federal Resources |
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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
FirstGov.gov also has an
A-Z Index of Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid.
Homeland Security Grants (Dept.
of Homeland Security)
Information on Federal homeland security and public safety grant
opportunities, whether administered by
DHS or other departments and agencies. Covers
First Responder Grants (which includes
Assistance to Firefighters,
Disaster/Response Program, and
State Homeland Security Contacts).
Disaster Assistance (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
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. Also use portal to
other federal disaster programs at
DisasterHelp.gov.
FirstGov Government-to-Government
(General Services Administration)
Thousands of grants and loans are made by the Federal government to State
and local governments and other public entities. This site provides one-stop
access to grants management and Federal assistance programs, in addition to
resources about acquisition and procurement, financial management, and
taxes.
FirstGov for Business (GSA)
Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international trade and
exporting, and small business. See also
Business.gov and the
Small Business Administration Web sites.
FirstGov 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 Initiatives (Office of Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives)
The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban
Development, Justice, and Labor 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. 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]
GovBenefits.gov (GSA)
Free online screening tool to identify government benefits and how to apply.
Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services. Browse
programs by State, by category, or ‘Get Results by Questionnaire’.
FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home business,
unpaid bills are often a scam. Most sources of grants don’t give money to
individuals for personal need (except in disaster situations). The
FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, also warns consumers to
beware of paying “processing fees” for free information.
Federal Register (National
Archives)
The Federal Register, printed each business day, publishes updates
and notices affecting Federal assistance programs. Scroll down to check
current year; scroll down further to enter Catalog program number,
or subject/keyword "AND
CFDA" in Search Terms box.
Federal Funding Report (House Information Resources)
Weekly compilation of items published in the Federal Register which
affect Federal domestic assistance programs. The summary consists of three
parts:(1) Federal Register Summary, (2) Early Warning Grants
Report, and (3) Disaster Loan Applications.
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 |
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The Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grantseeking process,
guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of State libraries with grants
reference collections, and links to other useful Internet Web sites. The Center
maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print, Web, and
CD-ROM 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.
Geographic
Tracking of Federal Funds
Two U.S. Census Bureau publications are
the Federal government's primary printed documents detailing the geographic
distribution of Federal monies to States and Counties:
- Federal Aid to States
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
In CFFR, grants generally represent obligations and include payments both
to State and local governments and to nongovernmental recipients. Data are
provided for State and county levels.
Grants and Other Funding Sources (House
Information Resources)
Resource page, compiled for congressional offices, covering public and
private Web links under funding categories such as:
- Where to Find Federal Grants
- How to Apply for Grants
- Help with Managing the Grant Process
- Foundations
- Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
- Corporate Charitable Giving
- Small Business Resources
- International Trade & Development
- State & Local Govt. Funding Resources
- Disaster Assistance
- Money for College
- Scholarships - Specific Fields of Study
- Internships/Summer Employment
- Computers for Schools and Communities
- Other Educational Resources
- Surplus & Unclaimed Property
- Consumer Protection
- Demographic and Statistical Resources
- Other Helpful Resources
