Order Code RL34035
Grants Work in a Congressional Office
Updated June 4, 2007
Merete F. Gerli
Information Research Specialist
Knowledge Services Group

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Grants Work in a Congressional Office
Summary
Many Members of Congress receive frequent requests from grant seekers
needing funds for projects in districts and states. The congressional office should
first determine its priorities about how much assistance to give constituents, from
providing information about grants programs to active advocacy of projects.
Congressional grants staff can best help grant seekers when they gain some
understanding of the entire grants process.
Each office handles grants requests in its own way, depending upon the
Member’s legislative agenda and overall organization and workload. There may be
a full-time grants specialist or several staff members under the supervision of a grants
coordinator working solely in the area of grants and projects. In some offices, all
grants requests are handled in the district or state office; in others, they are answered
by the Washington, DC, staff.
To assist grant seekers applying for federal funds, congressional offices can
develop working relationships with grants officers in federal and state departments
and agencies. Because more than 90% of federal funds go to state and local
governments that, in turn, manage federal grants and sub-award to applicants in their
state, congressional staff need to identify their own state administering offices. To
educate constituents, a congressional office may sometimes mail or email selected
grant seekers about funding opportunities; or may sponsor seminars on federal and
private assistance. Because most funding resources are on the Internet, Member
home pages can also link to grants/Internet sources such as the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance and Grants.gov so that constituents themselves can search for
grants and funding opportunities. The CRS Grants, Business Opportunities, and
Student Financial Aid Web page, at [http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/
WG02001.shtml], covers key CRS products and Internet sources. A second Web
page, Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance, can be added to a Member’s home
page upon request [http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/grants/member-grant.html],
and is updated automatically on House and Senate servers by Merete F. Gerli.
Congressional staff can use CRS reports to learn about grants work and to
provide information on government and private funding. These include CRS Report
RS21117, Ethical Considerations in Assisting Constituents with Grant Requests
Before Federal Agencies, by Jack Maskell; CRS Report RL34012, Grants
Information for Constituents and CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write
a Grant Proposal, both by Merete F. Gerli; reports on block grants and the
appropriations process; reports covering federal assistance for homeland security and
terrorism preparedness; and reports on federal programs on specific subjects and for
specific groups such as state and local governments, police and fire departments,
libraries and museums, nonprofit organizations, small business, and other topics.
An internal grants manual is a valuable tool for grants staff to develop. It can
outline office policies and procedures. With reductions in federal programs, grants
specialists may suggest other funding sources to their constituents, such as private or
corporate foundations, as alternatives or supplements to federal grants.

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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Organizing Office Grants Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Managing Grants Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Office Grants Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
File Systems and Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Communicating with Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Assessing Constituent Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Providing Information to Constituents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proposal Writing Assistance and Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Writing Letters for Grant Seekers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Announcing Grants Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Federal Assistance and Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Federal Grants and the Appropriations Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Types of Federal Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Goods and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Services, Information, Training, and Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Grants.gov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Developing Federal and State Grants Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Role of State Administering Agencies (SAAs) and Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Foundations and Corporate Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Useful Sources of Grants Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
CRS Grants Web Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Additional Federal Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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Grants Work in a Congressional Office
Introduction
Many Members of Congress receive numerous requests from grant seekers,
including state and local governments, nonprofit social service and community action
organizations, private research groups, small businesses, and individuals, for
information and help in obtaining funds for projects. Both government and private
foundation funding may be appropriate.
Federal grants are not benefits or entitlements to individuals. Most federal
funding goes to state and local governments, which in turn sub-award to local entities
such as nonprofit organizations. Grants may be available for projects serving
communities and needs. For example, government assistance may be available for
nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, for initiatives such as
establishing soup kitchens or after-school programs benefitting entire communities;
and local governments seeking funds for community services, infrastructure, and
economic revitalization may be most eligible for state and federal funds.
Congressional offices may often need to direct constituents seeking government
aid to funding options other than grants. Community fund-raising may be most
suitable for school enrichment activities such as field trips or for band or sports
uniforms. Local business or foundation funding might be more appropriate for
supporting projects such as construction of local memorials or commemorative
programs. For others, such as for starting or expanding a small business or for
students, loans may be available.
! Individuals looking for government benefits may find useful the
website GovBenefits.gov at [http://www.govbenefits.gov].
! Students seeking financial aid should search the Department of
Education website at [http://Studentaid.ed.gov].
! To start or expand a small business, the federal government provides
assistance in the form of loans, advisory, or technical assistance.
See the Small Business Administration website at
[http://www.sba.gov].
Given the competition for federal funds, the success rate in obtaining federal
assistance is limited. A grants staff’s effectiveness often depends on both an
understanding of the grants process and on the relations it establishes with federal
departments and agencies, with state grants administering agencies (SAA’s), private
and local foundations, and other contacts.
This report does not constitute a blueprint for every office involved in grants
and projects activity, nor does it present in-depth information about all aspects of

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staff activity in this area. The discussion describes some basics about the grants
process and some of the approaches and techniques used by congressional offices in
dealing with this type of constituent service.
Organizing Office Grants Operations
Senate and House offices allocate staff and other resources to grants and
projects activities in order to assist the constituents with projects of potential benefit
to their districts, cities, or states. Each congressional office handles grants requests
in its own way, depending upon such factors as the Member’s philosophy on federal
support for local projects, the relation of certain proposals to his or her legislative
activity, or the Member’s particular interest in specific locations or types of projects.
Other factors may include the degree of economic distress in any given locality and
the current level of federal assistance it receives. Grants activities in any
congressional office depend very much upon the overall organization, staff, and
workload of the office.
! Most offices divide responsibility by function (i.e., legislation is
assigned to legislative assistants and correspondents, media relations
and newsletters are handles by a press secretary, and caseworkers
help with problems of individuals). Offices organized in this way
may have a full-time grants specialist or several staff members under
the supervision of a grants coordinator working solely in the area of
grants and projects.
! Some offices divide responsibilities by subject area (i.e., a specialist
in health issues is involved with legislation, correspondence,
casework, grants, projects, speeches, and press releases in that
subject area).
! DC, state, or district office? In some offices, all grants requests are
handled in the district or state office; in others, they are answered by
the Washington, DC, staff; still others divide grants and projects
activity between the district or state office and the Washington, DC,
office. Regardless of how this responsibility is assigned, it is helpful
to have at least one person in the district or state office and one
person in the Washington, DC, office familiar with the whole
process. District or state staff may be more readily able to
communicate and develop relationships with federal state and
federal regional offices, or state administering agencies, often the
preferred contact office for federal programs.
! State delegation cooperation. Since some constituents request the
aid of the entire state delegation for a grant or project, cooperation
among Members of the delegation can minimize duplication of
effort and permit more effective use of staff time. To increase the
chances of a project’s funding, Members may solicit the support of
other Members either from the same geographic region if the

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proposal would benefit a wide area, or from those who hold key
positions in leadership or on committees which exercise funding and
oversight of the federal program. Political considerations can limit
the amount of such cooperation. One state’s delegation has
established a State Projects Office to help its constituents learn about
the grants process and follow through on all applications until
awards are made.
The grants person in the congressional office can serve constituents not only as
a source of information, but also as a facilitator with agencies and foundations, and,
in some cases, even as an advocate. The congressional office is seen by constituents
as a potential source of assistance, such as
! providing facts about financial and nonfinancial assistance available
through federal programs;
! clarifying the intricacies of proposal development, application, and
follow-up procedures;
! writing letters of interest or support from the Member to the granting
agency;
! resolving problems that occur when an applicant is unsuccessful in
obtaining funds or other assistance; and
! suggesting other sources for grant assistance in both the private and
public sectors.
The congressional office should first determine the priorities of its particular office:
! Where do grants requests fall within the operations of the office?
! Should grants officers be located in Washington, DC or the state or
district?
! What should be the role of the congressional office: information
source or active advocacy, or sometimes even earmarking
appropriations for a project that mirrors the Member’s legislative
agenda?
! Assess the volume of incoming grants requests. What criteria
determine how much attention should be given to each grants
request (e.g., number of people who will be affected, visibility of
projects, or political implications)?
Congressional grants staff can help their constituents best when they thoroughly
understand the entire grants process:
! defining the project;

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! searching for likely funding sources;
! writing proposals;
! applying for grants;
! understanding review and award procedures; and
! knowing post-award requirements.
Managing Grants Requests
To assure continuity, particularly in cases of staff turnover and shifting
responsibilities, and to monitor the progress of the grants and projects operation,
several resources can be developed. Commercial computer software packages are
available to manage correspondence, projects, and workload. Congressional office
systems administrators should contact House Information Resources (ext. 56002) or
the Senate Sergeant at Arms’ Help Desk (ext. 41517) for recommendations.
Office Grants Manual
An internal grants manual is a valuable tool for grants staff to develop. It can
outline office policies and procedures and ensure continuity when staff changes.
Among the items that might be included in such a manual are as follows:
! A statement of the Member’s policy on letters of endorsement and
press announcements, along with samples.
! A checklist of procedures to facilitate the training of new staff.
! Sample project worksheets, allowing space for agency contacts,
status reports, and follow-up timetables.
! A constantly updated telephone and email listing of contacts in
federal, state, and local agencies, and foundations which have
proven especially helpful.
File Systems and Logs
A congressional office may wish to maintain detailed, cross-referenced files
such as agency files, constituent files by county, and tracking records.
Agency Files
! Agency files, which could also be arranged under broad subjects, or
use subject subdivisions: for example, Defense Department, district
contracts; Education Department, curriculum development; Justice
Department, Community Oriented Policing (COPS) program.

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! Program files, which include detailed information on the most
frequently used programs in communities in the state or district, with
a fact sheet describing each program, plus agency brochures, and
contacts.
! Project files, which may contain lists of applicants for each project.
Some offices keep records on the steps taken in support of all grant
applications as documentation.
Constituent Files by County
! These can prove especially useful for the Member’s visits to the state
or district.
! Correspondence on each grant application, and local press coverage
of awards can be added.
! These clippings, along with letters from grateful constituents, can
serve as a source for favorable quotations.
Tracking Requests
! Monitor grant applications as they move through an agency’s review
process.
! Maintain a follow-up calendar or log.
! Track all grants awarded in the district or state — even those your
office did not work on.
! For sources that track federal funds by state, by county, and by
congressional district, see the CRS Web page Tracking the
Distribution of Federal Funds at [http://www.crs.gov/reference/
general/geotracking.shtml].
Communicating with Staff
A weekly grants and projects report or letter is one way to keep both the
Member and other staff fully informed of significant developments. This is
particularly important for offices organized by functional responsibility.
! The report prepares the Member for the types of questions that may
be asked during visits to the state or district and provides topics to
be addressed in speeches.
! The legislative staff may benefit from knowing about pending state
or local government actions that would have an impact on grants and
projects. Conversely, grants and projects staff should also be able
to rely on the legislative staff for information about pending bills
that would alter or create federal programs or change relevant
funding levels. Sometimes, comments from constituents can supply
data on whether programs are carrying out legislative intent and
whether changes in agency regulations or legislation are needed.
Such recommendations might then be the subject of congressional

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oversight hearings or might result in recommending changes in
legislation.
! The press secretary should also be kept up to date on programs of
interest in the district, so that current information can be presented
in newsletters and press releases.
Assessing Constituent Requests
If a proposal or serious inquiry is submitted to a congressional office, an
assessment of the stated problem should be made. First, this benefits the grant
seeker, since any application for assistance will require that the problem be clearly
stated and that the proposed solution provide some remedy. Secondly, this initial
assessment can provide staff with a sense of direction: Are there other projects
currently under way that address the problem? Is there already an appropriate federal
or state program that is designed for such a project, or is the issue better addressed
through local, state, or private organizations, or through legislation? Will the sought-
after aid produce other problems for the community? What are its chances for
success?
The initial review of the request should also involve an assessment of the
applicant. A formal grant proposal will require an applicant to establish credibility.
Individuals connected with a proposal might mention education, training, and
professional credentials. Credibility for an organization may be established by giving
its history, goals, activities, and primary accomplishments, as well as by letters of
support, including by local governments. By reviewing such information, an office
may avoid the hazard of offering support for a questionable applicant and may be in
a better position to make decisions about support when several communities or
organizations are applying for the same program — will all be treated equally or will
support be given to selected applicants?
A written request from a constituent should always be acknowledged. If the
request is a fairly common one, the office may be able to respond with a prepared
packet of materials on available programs. Another alternative would be to send a
copy of your constituent’s letter to the agency with a buck slip, asking the agency’s
attention, and to inform your constituent of your action and advise that he or she will
be hearing more from the office once the agency reports back.
Another approach is to call the agency contact. This procedure is generally
more time consuming for a congressional staffer than a simple referral, but it is often
more informative. The agency may provide facts about budget levels, authorizations
and appropriations, the amount of money available for the program, the total amount
requested in applications on file, the number of applications received, and the number
likely to be approved, agency priorities, categories of competition or targets by
region, key dates and deadlines, and information on who makes recommendations
and decisions.
If your constituent decides to submit a formal grant application for a particular
program, the congressional office may recommend or arrange a meeting with agency

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offices in the district or state. Another way to get input from the agency early in the
process is a pre-review of the application. Many agencies provide procedural review
of proposals one or two months before the application deadline. Such a review,
while not dealing with the substance of the proposal, allows an agency to inform the
applicant of any technical problems or omissions to be corrected before the proposal
is formally submitted.
When a constituent notifies the congressional office that a proposal has been
submitted, the office can send a letter to the agency expressing the Member’s interest
in being kept informed of developments relating to the application. In addition, the
letter may also request a list of all applicants for the particular grant. This enables
the office to consider initiating letters of support from the Member to those
applicants in his or her state or district who did not approach the office prior to
submission of their application. Whether the Member chooses to support an
applicant or extends support to all applicants from the state or district, the office
should maintain contact with all interested parties as it is notified of progress reports
from agency contacts.
Providing Information to Constituents
Cutbacks in federal programs mean many projects are made possible only
through a combination of funding sources — federal and state government grants as
well as private or corporate foundation grants should be considered. Grant seekers
should know that most federal funding goes to states in the form of formula or block
grants. For many programs, application for federal funds must be made through state
administering agencies (SAAs). Whatever the funding source, it is important to
emphasize that once a project has been clearly defined, constituents can improve their
likelihood of success by doing preliminary research in order to find potential funding
sources whose goals are most nearly consistent with their own.
Because the state, local, or private groups needing assistance may be unaware
of available funding, or uncertain how to go about obtaining it, congressional offices
can help identify sources. Congressional grants staff can also serve as liaison
between grant seekers and government executive offices, including their own state
offices that administer federal grants.
To assist Members in their representational duties, and to help congressional
offices respond to grants questions, CRS has developed two Grants Web pages:
! For congressional staff, the Grants, Business Opportunities, and
Student Financial Aid Web page focuses on key CRS reports and
Internet products at [http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/
WG02001.shtml]. It includes CRS publications on grants and
programs that congressional offices can forward to their
constituents; and a separate Web page of key sources (see next
bullet) that Members may add to their home page for constituents;
! For grant seekers in districts and states, Members may add to their
website the CRS Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance Web

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page, sample at [http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/grants/
member-grant.html] to provide useful information directly to
constituents. It gives guidance and links to key Internet sources and
includes a slide program, Grants Information for Constituents,
covering information readily available to the public. CRS
automatically updates the Web page for Members on the House and
Senate servers.
CRS also has a number of publications to help both congressional staff and
grant seekers. Sources described cover key Internet sources and publications about
federal and private funding. Constituents may search Internet sites from home
computers or in local libraries, and can consult many of the published sources at
public or university libraries or in government depository libraries in every state.
Key useful CRS reports (in addition to the current report) to assist staff undertaking
grants work include
! CRS Report RS21117, Ethical Considerations in Assisting
Constituents With Grant Requests Before Federal Agencies, by Jack
Maskell;
! CRS Report RL34012, Grants Information for Constituents, by
Merete F. Gerli; and
! CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal
by Merete F. Gerli.
Some congressional offices may wish to help grant seekers by forwarding to
them descriptions and contact information on federal grants programs for particular
projects. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is available full text
on the Internet. The site [http://www.cfda.gov/] offers keyword searching, broad
subject and recipient indexes, and listings by department, agency, and program title.
The CFDA program descriptions also link to related websites such as federal
department and agency home pages and Office of Management and Budget grants
management circulars. Grant seekers themselves can then track notices of actual
federal funding opportunities under CFDA programs at the website Grants.gov at
[http://www.grants.gov].
Congressional offices can also prepare their own information packets on federal
grants programs which are requested most frequently. Such packets could include
program descriptions, brochures, the latest rules and regulations, changes in agency
policy, application forms, and so on. For example, Members of rural states can
become familiar with Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs;
Members with urban constituencies and projects may want to consider Department
of Housing and Urban Development programs.
Newsletters (print or e-mail) are a good way of reaching a large number of
people. Some offices choose to send out either a special grants and projects
newsletter or include a section on grants and projects in their regular newsletter.
Subjects that could be developed include new programs, new appropriations, and
descriptions of recently awarded grants.

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A congressional office may occasionally choose to communicate with selected
audiences through targeted mailings to inform constituents of the possible impact of
new legislative or executive actions that might revise existing programs, create new
ones, or alter funding levels; important dates and deadlines; and the advantages and
limitations of various programs. This is especially important as new programs for
are created and receive congressional appropriations: for example, a newly funded
economic development program may be announced on Grants.gov with short
application deadline, of which constituents should be made aware.
Another way to get information to interested constituents is for a congressional
office to coordinate seminars on federal and private assistance at state and district
locations. An office can sponsor programs bringing together federal, state, and local
officials, as well as foundation, academic and corporate specialists, experienced
volunteers, and constituents who share common concerns. Many agencies,
foundations or the Foundation Center at [http://www.fdncenter.org], and corporations
are willing to provide speakers for district seminars arranged by congressional offices
and also to provide such materials as brochures, sample proposals, and lists of
information contacts. For telephone numbers to contact speakers from federal
departments and agencies, congressional staff can use CRS Report 98-446,
Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies. For constituent
orientation and group seminars, Member may consider use of CRS products as
handouts and presentation materials.
Although well-planned, balanced programs tailored to a particular audience can
create good will, coordinating and following through on such seminars take a great
deal of staff work and time. Such programs may also result in additional requests
and demands on the sponsoring office.
Proposal Writing Assistance and Sources
Although most offices do not write proposals, they are frequently approached
by inexperienced constituents seeking guidance on what makes a good proposal.
Offices aiding such constituents may find helpful CRS Report RL32159, How to
Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, which discusses preliminary information
gathering and preparation, developing ideas for the proposal, gathering community
support, identifying funding resources, and seeking preliminary review of the
proposal and support of relevant administrative officials. It also covers all aspects
of writing the proposal, from outlining of project goals, stating the purpose and
objectives of the proposal, explaining the program methods to solve the stated
problem, and how the results of the project will be evaluated, to long-term project
planning, and developing the proposal budget. The last section of the report lists free
grants writing websites, some in Spanish as well as English.
The Foundation Center and other organizations also publish guides to writing
proposals; the Foundation Center offers a mini “Proposal Writing Course”on its
website at [http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html]
and includes versions in Spanish, French, and other foreign languages. Constituents
may also be advised that computer software templates can be found by searching the
Internet under terms such as grant proposal AND template.

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Congressional offices may wish to pass on the following suggestions:
! Allow sufficient time to prepare a thoroughly documented proposal,
well before the application deadline. If possible, have someone
outside the organization critique the proposal prior to submission.
! Follow the instructions given in the application form or in other
material provided by the agency or foundation. Answer questions as
asked.
! See that the proposal is clear and brief. Avoid jargon. Take pains
to make the proposal interesting. Reviewing panels have limited
time to devote to any single proposal. Whenever possible, fit the
style of the proposal to the style of the agency or foundation being
approached.
! When no form or instructions for submitting grant proposals are
provided, the proposal should include the following:
1. A cover letter on the applicant’s letterhead giving a brief
description of the purpose and amount of the grant proposal,
conveying the applicant’s willingness to discuss the proposal in
further detail.
2. A half-page summary that includes identification of the
applicant, the reasons for the request, proposed objectives and
means to accomplish them, along with the total cost of the
project, an indication of funds already obtained, and the amount
being requested for this grant.
3. An introduction in which the history, credentials, and
accomplishments of the applicant are presented briefly
(supporting documents can be included in an appendix).
4.
A description of current conditions demonstrating the need
for the proposed project.
5. A statement of the project’s objectives in specific,
measurable terms.
6. A description of the methods to be used to accomplish
these objectives.
7. A description of the means by which the project will be
monitored and evaluated.
8.
A discussion of plans for continuing the project beyond the
period covered by the grant.
9. A detailed budget.

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Writing Letters for Grant Seekers
Constituents seeking funds for projects frequently ask congressional offices to
write letters to federal departments and agencies on their behalf. CRS Report
RS21117, Ethical Considerations in Assisting Constituents With Grants Requests
Before Federal Agencies, provides some guidance. Some grants, such as for
firefighters and other funding for homeland security, are determined by formula to
states and jurisdictions and letters may not be needed.
Explain to your constituent that the federal grants process is competitive, that
your office can consider writing a letter to the department or agency once the
individual submits a fully developed grant proposal. For most requests, use neutral
language expressing the Member’s “interest” in a proposal, rather than “support.”
Lending “support” to a proposal that might not be funded under the competitive
process (and when there are competing applications from several constituents) might
lead to disappointment and reflect negatively on the Member.
For most constituent requests for letters:
! Write a letter only when your constituent has submitted the grant
proposal to the department or agency.
! Information needed from the grant seeker:
— Name of applicant; contact person for the project if different;
— Grant program name and number;
— Agency contact address, grants officer’s name if available;
— Deadline for proposal submission;
— Project name and summary.
! The project summary should highlight:
— What the project/program does and who it serves;
— Why this program is important to the community;
— Any unique features of the project, needs not already being met;
— Other support for the project such as local government;
— Specifically how the grant money will be used.
! Write directly to the person in the department of agency; provide a
copy of the letter to your constituent to submit with the proposal.
! The Member’s letter could say why this is important to his district,
what needs are being met, etc. — the summary supplied by the
constituent should give the objectives of the propsal/project.
! Close by asking the grants officer to let the Member know when a
decision will be made; and to keep your office informed about the
progress of the proposal.
In cases where your constituent’s proposal is unsuccessful, tell them they may
ask the department or agency to review the proposal to suggest how to improve it,

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CRS-12
and that they may be able to resubmit the proposal if the program continues to be
funded.
Announcing Grants Awards
Although there is some variation, the usual announcement procedure in cases
of allocated federal funds is for the agency making the award to notify the Senate
office first (a Senator of the President’s party may be first notified), then the House
office, and finally the recipient. This allows Members of Congress an opportunity
to notify recipients of grants. Not all awards are announced publicly. In the case of
block grants, the Office of Management and Budget notifies Senate offices of the
allocations among the states. The state’s decision on how to distribute funds among
local communities is, however, not necessarily communicated to congressional
offices. In these cases, a good state agency contact may be willing to provide the
office with this information. Announcements of grants awarded are often posted on
Member Web pages.
Many congressional offices develop files or databases of grants awarded, to
track funding to their districts and states. Detailed information is difficult to obtain,
though legislation in the 109th Congress, P.L. 109-282, the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 calls for the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to develop a database beginning July, 2007. For a summary of
sources and limitations of currently available data, and the new law’s requirements,
see CRS Web page, Tracking the Distribution of Federal Funds, at
[http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/geotracking.shtml]; and CRS Report
RL33680, The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act: Background,
Overview, and Implementation Issues, by Garrett L. Hatch.
To avoid disappointment, congressional staff might consider cautioning people
from making requests that are unlikely to be approved at the federal level. Suggest
considering other funding sources early in the process. In cases where grant
applications are made and turned down, the congressional office may notify
constituents of their right to know why the award was not granted and what the
appeals process is. Constituents may ask the agency for an analysis of the strengths
and weaknesses of the proposal, or may give the agency permission to provide the
congressional office with this information. Alternative programs or other approaches
may be suggested following an adverse decision. Your constituent might also decide
to improve the initial application and start the process again.
Federal Assistance and Sources
There are hundreds of grants or loans for various purposes available from
federal departments and agencies. Most federal funding (over 90%) goes to state and
local governments that determine state and local needs, and that themselves offer
competitive grants and funding opportunities. New programs and federal funding to
enhance homeland security or enhance emergency services are of particular interest
to many local jurisdictions. Other federal funds not dispensed through grants, but

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CRS-13
much sought after, are used for defense procurement, construction of federal
installations, or infrastructure (e.g., military bases, federal office buildings, and
federal projects such as flood control and highway construction). Congressional
offices can assist state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and other
grant seekers become aware of available funds and how to go about obtaining them.
Staff members can contact federal agencies to find agency interest in certain
projects; relay the findings to those interested and qualified for assistance in their
states and districts; and notify home state governments, organizations, businesses,
and people of what funds are available.
Once a grant application is filed, offices frequently keep in touch with agencies.
Contact can be maintained by letter, phone, e-mail, or in person as the situation
dictates. Concerted action on the part of the staff may result in more federal funds
being spent in a state or district, thereby providing greater benefit to the constituency.
Federal program and contact information is given in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) [http://www.cfda.gov]. Current notices of grant
opportunities appear on the website Grants.gov at [http://www.grants.gov]. See
sections below for more information about these key sources.
Federal Grants and the Appropriations Process
Congress may also designate or “earmark” federal funds for projects in districts
and states in annual appropriations legislation. Because much of the annual U.S.
budget consists of expenditures for entitlement programs such as Social Security,
mandatory spending through authorizing legislation and interest payments, or
allocations in the form of formula and block grants to states and local governments,
discretionary funding for new grant awards is limited. The appropriations measure
that a congressional office chooses to submit often reflects the Member’s legislative
agenda as well as the needs of the state or district.
Grant seekers who wish to ask support of their Senator or Representative for
project funding should consider the congressional budget process calendar.
Appropriations measures for the next fiscal year (October 1-September 30) are
usually submitted as early as February.
If congressionally directed spending seems appropriate, applicants may be asked
by the Member to make a formal request accompanied by supporting materials,
including
! project description;
! research and documentation of the need for the project (such as a
feasibility study and history of community support);
! letters of support from elected officials and local community leaders;
and
! amount requested, anticipated total project cost, sources of other
funding (state, private, local match), and any history of past funding.

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CRS-14
Grant seekers may contact both Representatives and Senators about their
project. Although an “earmark” may appear in either a House or Senate committee
report, a conference committee (composed of an equal number of House and Senate
members) makes the final decisions on funding. Having support of both
Representative and Senator(s) for a project may enhance a grant seeker’s success for
an “earmark.”
The congressional appropriations process follows an annual time line, beginning
in February of each year. Grant seekers such as state and local governments or
nonprofit organizations can submit requests for project support and funding to
Representatives and Senators before the beginning of the budget cycle.
! February: The President submits to Congress the proposed Budget
of the United States.
! Members submit requests for discretionary funding on behalf of
projects in their districts or states prior to the start of appropriations
hearings in early March.
! Early March: The House Appropriations Committee’s 12
subcommittees begin hearings on proposed spending bills.
! May - August: The House votes on appropriations bills beginning in
May and tries to finish before the end of the fiscal year, September
30. The Senate generally follows the House in considering
appropriations measures. In recent years, voting has continued into
the fall, and continuing resolutions are passed to ensure that federal
offices and programs do not close down.
! After each chamber votes on its version of an appropriations bill, a
conference committee, consisting of equal numbers of House and
Senate members, meets to reconcile any differences and makes final
decisions on spending.
! Funding for district and state projects included in both House and
Senate appropriations bills will generally be approved by the
conferees, and submitted for floor vote by the full House and Senate.
! After approval, appropriations bills are forwarded to the President
for signature.
! Members notify grant seekers of projects successfully funded.
Types of Federal Assistance
Currently, programs in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA),
the key source to federal program information (see below), are classified into several
types of financial and nonfinancial assistance. For a fuller explanation of these
categories, see the CFDA program descriptions themselves.
Grants. Grants are generally considered desirable by applicants since they are
an outright award of funds.
! Formula Grants: allocations of money to states or their
subdivisions for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a
specific project. Includes block grants to states and local
governments.

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CRS-15
! Project Grants: funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific
projects or the delivery of specific services or products, including
fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants,
traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation
grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants,
construction grants, and unsolicited contractual agreements. Can
also be referred to as discretionary or categorical grants or funding.
! Direct Payments for Specified Use: federal financial assistance
provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private
institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity.
! Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use: federal financial
assistance provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy federal
eligibility requirements with no restrictions as to how the money is
spent.
Loans. Since loans must be repaid, they are often viewed by applicants as less
desirable than grants. However, with the reduction of federal funds available for
grants and the increasing level of competition for such funds, loans are often the only
form of assistance available.
! Direct Loans: lending of federal funds for a specific period of
times, with a reasonable expectation of repayment; may or may not
require the payment of interest.
! Guaranteed/Insured Loans: programs in which the federal
government makes an arrangement to indemnify a lender against
part or all of any defaults by those responsible for repayment of
loans.
Insurance. Some federal programs provide financial assistance to assure
reimbursement for losses sustained under specified conditions. Coverage may be
provided directly by the federal government or through private carriers and may or
may not require the payment of premiums.
Goods and Properties. The federal government has programs both for the
sale, exchange, or donation of property and for temporary use or loan of goods and
property.
! Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods: programs
which provide for the sale, exchange, or donation of federal real
property, personal property, commodities, and other goods including
land, buildings, equipment, food, and drugs.
! Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment: programs which
provide for the loan of, use of, or access to federal facilities or
property wherein the federally-owned facilities or property do not
remain in the possession of the recipient of the assistance.

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CRS-16
Services, Information, Training, and Employment. The federal
government offers a variety of programs to assist communities and citizens.
! Provision of Specialized Services: programs which provide federal
personnel to directly perform certain tasks for the benefit of
communities or individuals.
! Advisory Services and Counseling: programs which provide
federal specialists to consult, advise, or counsel communities or
individuals, to include conferences, workshops, or personal contacts.
! Dissemination of Technical Information: programs which provide
for the publication and distribution of information or data of a
specialized technical nature frequently through clearinghouses or
libraries.
! Training: programs which provide instructional activities
conducted directly by a federal agency for individuals not employed
by the federal government.
! Investigation of Complaints: federal administrative agency
activities that are initiated in response to requests, either formal or
informal, to examine or investigate claims of violations of federal
statutes, policy, or procedure.
! Federal Employment: programs which reflect the government-wide
responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management in the
recruitment and hiring of federal civilian agency personnel.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The key sources of information about federal programs, projects, services, and
activities that provide assistance or benefits to the public are the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and Grants.gov. The Catalog, produced by the
General Services Administration (GSA) and searchable for free on the Internet
[http://www.cfda.gov/], describes some 1,600 authorized financial and nonfinancial
assistance programs of federal departments and agencies. The Government Printing
Office publishes and sells an annual print edition for government depository libraries
and the public [http://bookstore.gpo.gov/]. Only the Internet version, available free
to the public, is updated continuously throughout the year.
About 1,000 CFDA programs are grants. For grants programs, funding notices
and application information appear in notices of current funding opportunities posted
at Grants.gov [http://www.grants.gov].
CFDA program descriptions include the following:
! Federal agency administering a program;
! Legislation authorizing the program;

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CRS-17
! Objectives and goals of program;
! Types of financial or nonfinancial assistance provided;
! Uses and restrictions;
! Eligibility requirements;
! Application and award process;
! Criteria for selecting proposals;
! Amount of obligations for the past, current, and estimates for future
fiscal years;
! Funding caps and range of awards;
! Regulations, guidelines, and literature relevant to a program;
! Information contacts and headquarters, regional, and local offices;
! Related programs;
! Examples of funded projects;
! Formula and matching requirements, where applicable; and
! Requirements for post-assistance reports.
Updated information on federal programs also appears in the daily Federal
Register [http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html]. House Information Resources
(HIR) makes available to Congress and to the general public at
[http://www.house.gov/ffr/federal_funding_reports.shtml] the Federal Funding
Report, a weekly compilation of notices from the previous week’s Federal Register
dealing with federal domestic assistance programs. Federal departments and
agencies may also provide information and guidelines for specific programs on their
websites. These websites may also provide a list of grantees from the previous fiscal
year and indicate the amount of money still available for the coming year.
Congressional staff may suggest that constituents seeking federal funding search
CFDA themselves by subject, keyword, beneficiary and other options for identifying
appropriate program information.
Some congressional offices may wish to forward to constituents a preliminary
CFDA search of potential federal funding. Descriptions of programs identified will
have to be carefully analyzed by grant seekers themselves to see whether they may
be appropriate. Early in the process, the grant seeker should contact the department
or agency indicated in the CFDA program description for latest information on
funding availability, program requirements, and deadlines. Often a referral to a local
or state office will be given. Many may be project or formula (block) grants to states
that in turn accept grants applications and determine award recipients.
Grants.gov
As part of the federal government’s e-grants initiative, originating in the
Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, P.L. 106-107, federal
departments and agencies are required to post grants opportunities notices on
Grants.gov [http://www.grants.gov]. Grants.gov posts funding notices from over
1,000 federal grant programs and provides a uniform application process for all
federal grants opportunities.
Except for familiarizing themselves with information provided on this site, and
sometimes posting funding notices on Member websites if they wish, congressional

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CRS-18
staff generally need not search this website for funding opportunties for constituents.
CRS grants websites and reports include Grants.gov as a key source for grant seekers
themselves to access and search. Grants.gov is free to the public and is intended for
grant seekers to search themselves. For grant seekers who have identified
appropriate federal funding programs (through CFDA or department and agency
websites), Grants.gov enables them to
! search for current notices (including by CFDA program number);
! sign up for e-mail notification of future grant opportunities;
! download grants application packages and instructions; and
! submit applications electronically through a uniform process for all
federal grant-making agencies.
Registration by the grant seeker who will be making the application is required.
Using unique IDs and passwords, grants applicants can track the progress of their
applications. For questions about Grants.gov, congressional staff can call the
Grants.gov program office at (202) 205-1154. The managing federal agency for the
program is the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal government’s
largest grant-making department.
Developing Federal and State Grants Contacts
Many federal agencies have a number of offices: a central office in Washington,
DC; a series of regional and state offices; and, in some cases, local or area offices.
Each program in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance includes information
contacts, either giving the name, address, and telephone number of the program
officer, or referring applicants to the regional, state, or local office of the agency.
Federal Regional and Local Office Addresses are given in Appendix IV of the
Catalog, by department or agency at [http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web.pdf];
and by state at [http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web_state.pdf].
Congressional offices can channel their requests for program funding
information and get help identifying appropriate grants officers through federal
department and agency congressional liaison offices (see CRS Report 98-446,
Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies, by Zina L. Watkins and
Carla Berry, for telephone numbers). Establishing a good relationship with program
grants officers is usually beneficial — they are normally well informed and willing
to share information with congressional grants and projects staff. The liaison office
may also be willing to brief congressional staff so that they may become more
familiar with the way the agency is organized and where responsibilities are assigned,
as well as with published materials that may be available on various programs.
State and district grants and projects staff usually work closely with federal
agency representatives in their areas, with their state Members of Congress and
Senators, with state and local elected officials, and with state councils of government.
Many federal programs are administered directly by state agencies or other entities
within the state, and many states have programs funded out of their own
appropriations that supplement or complement federal programs. Local councils of
government, where they exist, have access to federal funds for providing technical
assistance, guidance, and counseling in the grants process. Constituents are, as a

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CRS-19
rule, best served by being put in touch with program officers closest to them as early
as possible.
Some congressional grants and projects veterans report that a congressional
office that encourages cooperation among local organizations, foundations, units of
government, and councils of government can serve as a catalyst for applicants by
improving communications, which may in turn enhance the chances for proposal
approval. When congressional staff take the time to express appreciation for
assistance provided by federal personnel, foundation officials, and others involved
in the grants process, they may possibly improve their chances for future assistance.
Role of State Administering Agencies (SAAs) and Contacts
Many federal grants such as formula and block grants are awarded directly to
state governments, which then set priorities and allocate funds within that state. To
help constituents, congressional grants staff need to learn their SAAs, the state
counterpart offices accepting grants applications and disbursing federal formula and
other grants. For more information on how a state intends to distribute formula grant
funds, grant seekers need to contact the state administering agency.
Many federal department and agency websites provide state contacts. Often the
site will have an interactive U.S. map where grant seekers can click on their state and
obtain program and funding contact information. State government agencies provide
coordination of local efforts to obtain federal funds through grant programs that are
already allocated to the state; and state government agencies are familiar with federal
program requirements, can assist with proposals, and can provide other guidance. In
fact, many federal grant programs require that an applicant complete a pre-
application screening at the state level before submitting requests.
! Federal congressional liaison offices can help congressional staff
identify SAAs for their programs: use CRS Report 98-446,
Congressional Liaison Offices of Selected Federal Agencies, by Zina
L. Watkins and Carla Berry.
! Many states require federal grants applicant to submit a copy of their
application for state government-level review and comment, and
have designated a ‘Single Point of Contact’ under Executive Order
12372, listed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html]. The State
offices listed here coordinate government (both federal and state)
grants development and may provide guidance to grant seekers.
! Other state government agency websites may be identified at the
federal government site USA.gov, State and Local Agencies by
Topic at [http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories/
Agencies_by_Topic.shtml].
! Federal department and agency regional, state, and local offices
which grant seekers should contact early in their proposal
development are given in CFDA Appendix IV, Regional and Local

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CRS-20
Offi ce Addresses, by depart m e n t or agency at
[http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web.pdf]; and by state at
[http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web_state.pdf].
! Many federal executive department and agency websites include
state contacts or state administering agencies (SAAs) to which grant
seekers can be referred: a selection of such SAA websites are given
in the table below.

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CRS-21
Table 1. Selected State Administering Agencies and Contacts
Agriculture Rural
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html]
Development State Contacts
National Endowment for the
[http://www.arts.gov/partner/state/SAA_RAO_list.html]
Arts (NEA) Partners
Commerce Offices and
[http://www.commerce.gov/statemap2.html]
Services
Education (ED) State Contacts
[http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html]
Energy (DOE) State Contacts
[http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/seo_
contacts.cfm]
Environmental Protection
[http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/regional.htm]
Agency (EPA) Grant Regional
Office
Federal Emergency
[http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm]
Management Agency (FEMA)
State Offices and Agencies
Health and Human Services
[http://www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_contact_us.html#state]
(HHS) Administration on
Children and Families: State
Contacts
Homeland Security (DHS)
[http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm]
State Contacts and Grant
Award Information
Housing and Urban
[http://www.hud.gov/localoffices.cfm]
Development (HUD)
State/Local Offices
National Endowment for the
[http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/statecouncils.html]
Humanities (NEH) State
Councils
Office of Justice Programs
[http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/]
(OJP) State Administering
Agencies
Labor (DOL) Services by
[http://www.dol.gov/dol/location.htm]
Location
Small Business
[http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html]
Administration
Transportation, Federal
[http://www.fta.dot.gov/regional_offices.html]
Transit Administration (FTA)
Regional Offices
Veterans Affairs
[http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm]
State/Territory Offices

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CRS-22
Foundations and Corporate Grants
With reductions in federal programs, congressional grants specialists may wish
to suggest other funding possibilities to their constituents as alternatives or
supplements to federal grants. Private foundation funding can be used for federal
grants that have matching requirements.
Small local projects should begin their search for help at the community level
from local businesses or institutions. Support may be available in the form of cash
contributions or in-kind contributions of property, buildings, equipment, or
professional expertise. Evidence of such community-based support may strengthen
a federal grant proposal.
Grant making foundations are established for the express purpose of providing
funds for projects in their areas of interest, and all must comply with specific Internal
Revenue Service regulations to maintain their tax-exempt status. Every year, each
is required to give away money equal to at least 5% of the market value of its assets,
and each must make its tax records public.
Although there are all kinds of foundation and corporate grants available,
competition for these funds is great, and, just as is the case in searching for federal
support, grant seekers enhance their chances for success by doing preliminary
research to find grant makers whose priorities and goals match their own. By
searching foundation websites, grant seekers can find guidelines, copies of annual
reports and tax returns to learn whether their proposals match a foundation’s areas
of interest and geographic guidelines; whether the proposal is within its budgetary
constraints; and whether it normally funds the type of project being considered.
There are many different kinds of foundations, with widely varying resources
and purposes. Some are national in scope; others are set up purely for the purpose
of local giving. Some are endowed by an individual or family to provide funds for
specific social, educational, or religious purposes; others are company-sponsored;
still others are publicly supported community foundations. Grant seekers might
begin by identifying state or local foundations. These may have a greater interest in
local projects than larger foundations mainly concerned with programs of national
significance. Direct corporate giving should also be explored: many corporations
support local projects in areas where they have their headquarters or plants, or
sponsor projects which somehow enhance their corporate image.
Because of this variety, different strategies may be needed for dealing with
different foundations. There are a few foundations that publicize their funding
policies, and even initiate projects, but generally they do not. Usually, the grant
seeker must take the first step and approach the foundation about his or her proposal.
Although it is hard to generalize about foundations, they tend to be more flexible
than federal funding agencies and to have fewer bureaucratic requirements. Many
foundations see their purpose as providing short-term, startup funding for
demonstration projects. Frequently, such foundations are the best source to turn to
for funding emergency situations or small, high-risk, innovative programs. In some
cases, foundation officials will work closely with inexperienced grant seekers to help
them develop realistic proposals.

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CRS-23
The Foundation Center serves as a clearinghouse of information on private
philanthropic giving and is a good starting point for identifying likely funding
sources. The center’s office in Washington, DC, provides each congressional office
with its yearly Foundation Directory and can advise staff on other sources of private
funding. The Foundation Center can be contacted via phone at (202) 331-1400. The
center’s website, [http://www.foundationcenter.org], includes extensive information
about private funders; posts requests for proposals (RFPs) for funding opportunities
from foundations in all subject fields; offers web and in-person training, many of
them free, including a “Proposal Writing Short Course;” and produces a number of
directories and guides to private and corporate funding sources, in print, CD-ROM,
Web, and other electronic formats. The Foundation Center also posts IRS Form 990
for nonprofit organizations at [http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/].
In addition to its major reference collections in New York, Washington, DC,
Cleveland, and San Francisco, the Foundation Center maintains a national network
of cooperating library collections in each state, with print and electronic resources
available free to the public. Addresses of these library collections are provided on
the Foundation Center website at [http://foundationcenter.org/collections/]. At these
libraries, grant seekers may search the Foundation Directory Online by field of
interest, by foundation location, and other categories to produce lists of likely funding
sources for grant seekers. For congressional staff, the Library of Congress maintains
a subscription to the Foundation Directory Online.
Other websites that provide free listings of foundations include the Council on
Foundations Web page, Community Foundations by State, at [http://www.cof.org/
Locator/index.cfm?crumb=2]; and the Grantsmanship Center’s Funding Sources,
which for each state lists “top,” corporate, and community foundations, at
[http://tgci.com/funding.shtml]. Congressional offices may wish to send constituents
state listings from these websites.
Useful Sources of Grants Information
CRS Grants Web Pages
Grants, Business Opportunities, and Student Financial Aid
[http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/WG02001.shtml]
Focuses on CRS grants Web products and publications. CRS reports provide
guidance to congressional staff on federal programs and funding; and may be
considered for delivery to constituents in response to grants requests.
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
[http://www.crs.gov/reference/general/grants/member-grant.html]
Provides Internet links to free key federal and private grants and funding
information, including the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, Grants.gov, and
other federal websites; and the Foundation Center, and other Internet funding
resources. Members may add this CRS Web page to their home page so grant
seekers in districts and states can access Internet information directly using the
Member’s home page as portal to key grants sources.

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CRS-24
Additional Federal Sources
For Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance and Grants.gov, see sections of this
report and the CRS websites described above.
A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies (General Services
Administration)
[http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml]
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency’s homepage
to learn more about its programs and objectives. The website USA.gov
[http://www.usa.gov] also includes:
Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid for citizens
[http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml];
Government- to- Government
[http://www.usa.gov/Government/State_Local/Grants.shtml]
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;
Grants, Loans, and Other Assistance for nonprofit organizations
[http://www.usa.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml] links to federal
department and agency information and service, including
fundraising and outreach, grants, loans and other assistance,
laws and regulations, management and operations, registration
and licensing, and tax information;
Information by Topic for Business provides financial assistance
information for small business, government contractors, and
f o r e i g n b u s i n e s s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
[http://www.usa.gov/Business/Business_Gateway.shtml]
Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (Office of the President)
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/centers.html]
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. Two
publications can be of help:
Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on
Partnering with the Federal Government
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance_docu
ment_01-06.pdf]
Federal Funds for Organizations That Help Those in Need
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/grants-catalog-

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CRS-25
05-2006.pdf] Some 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.
Federal Funding Report
[http://www.house.gov/ffr/federal_funding_reports.shtml]
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. Some House Members add these notices to their website.
Grants Management Circulars (Office of Management and Budget)
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/index.html]
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines
through circulars and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in CFDA program
descriptions and may be printed out in full-text.
Other Resources
Grants and Related Resources (Michigan State University Libraries)
[http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/index.htm]

The site provides government and private grants resources, primarily
Internet, by subject or group categories, and are updated frequently. It
includes

Funding for Business and Economic Development
[http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2biz.htm]
Grants for Nonprofits
[http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm]
Grants for Individuals
[http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3subject.htm]

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