Resources for Grantseekers
Merete F. Gerli
Information Research Specialist
January 11, 2012
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RL34012
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
Resources for Grantseekers
Summary
This report describes key sources of information on government and private funding, and outlines
eligibility for federal grants. Federal grants are intended for projects benefiting states and
communities. Individuals may be eligible for other kinds of benefits or assistance, or small
busineses and students may be eligible for loans. Free information is readily available to
grantseekers who generally know best the details of their projects. The Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) describes more than 2,100 federal programs, about half of them
grants, and can be searched by keyword, subject, department or agency, program title, beneficiary,
and applicant eligibility. Federal department and agency websites provide additional information
and guidance, and they provide state agency contacts. Once a program has been identified,
eligible grantseekers may apply electronically for grants at the website Grants.gov through a
uniform process for all agencies. Through Grants.gov, grantseekers may identify when federal
funding notices and deadlines for a CFDA program become available, sign up for e-mail
notification of funding opportunities, and track the progress of submitted applications.
Because government funds may be limited, the report also discusses sources of private and
corporate foundation funding. The Foundation Center is a clearinghouse for information about
private, corporate, and community foundations, with collections of resources in every state.
Included in this report are sources of information on writing grant proposals. See also CRS
Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Merete F. Gerli.
Sources described in this report are also included in the CRS website, Grants and Federal
Domestic Assistance, by Luis A. DeCastro and Merete F. Gerli. Upon request, this Web page may
be added to a Member’s home page. For congressional staff, see also CRS Report RL34035,
Grants Work in a Congressional Office, by Merete F. Gerli.
This report will be updated at the beginning of every Congress and as needed.
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Resources for Grantseekers
Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1
Who is Eligible for a Government Grant? ....................................................................................... 2
Key Federal Sources ........................................................................................................................ 3
Federal Contacts in States and State Administering Agencies......................................................... 4
Related Federal Sources................................................................................................................... 6
Private, Corporate, and Additional Funding Sources....................................................................... 6
Grant Proposal Writing Websites..................................................................................................... 8
Contacts
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................. 8
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Resources for Grantseekers
Introduction
Congressional offices are often approached by constituents seeking grants for projects, including
local governments, nonprofit groups, community organizations, small businesses, and individuals.
Though many hope for federal funding, such assistance is often limited. Other funding sources
such as private foundations may also be an option.
Federal grants are not benefits or entitlements to individuals. Grants are intended for projects
serving state, community, and local needs. Most federal funding goes to state and local
governments, which in turn may make sub-awards to local entities such as eligible nonprofit
organizations. Local governments seeking funds for community services, infrastructure, and
economic revitalization may be eligible to tap into state or federal funds. Government funding
may also be available for nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, for initiatives
such as establishing soup kitchens or after-school tutoring programs benefitting entire
communities.
For others, such as for individuals seeking financial help, starting or expanding a small business,
or needing funds for education, benefits or loans may be available.
• Individuals looking for government benefits (such as for child or health care,
housing or energy costs, disability or veterans needs, or “living assistance”) may
find useful the website GovBenefits.gov at http://www.govbenefits.gov.
• Students seeking financial aid can search Student Aid on the Web at
http://www.Studentaid.ed.gov.
• To start or expand a small business, the federal government provides help in the
form of loans, advisory, and technical assistance. See the Small Business
Administration (SBA) website at http://www.sba.gov to find programs and state
or local SBA offices.
Groups seeking funding for projects need first to determine the most appropriate sources of funds.
Because government funds may be limited, sources of private funding should also be considered.
State and community foundations may be particularly interested in funding local projects; many
projects may require a combination of government and private funding. Local business or
foundation funding might be appropriate for supporting local memorials or programs. Community
fund-raising may be more suitable for school enrichment activities, such as band or sports
uniforms or field trips.
For eligible state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, identifying appropriate
programs, and then contacting federal and state agencies early in the process, before submitting
formal applications, is recommended. State-located federal offices often handle federal grant
applications and disbursement of funds. State government departments and agencies also fund
projects and administer federal block grants.
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Who is Eligible for a Government Grant?
Many groups or organizations are eligible to apply for government grants. Typically, most
grantees fall into the following categories:1
• Government Organizations
• State Governments
• Local Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• Native American Tribal Governments (federally recognized)
• Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized)
• Education Organizations
• Independent School Districts
• Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Public Housing Organizations
• Public Housing Authorities
• Indian Housing Authorities
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of
higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than
institutions of higher education
• For-Profit Organizations (other than small businesses)
• Individuals (such as Pell Grants for needy students)
Some constituents may have seen or heard media advertisements claiming federal grants are
available to help them. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer
protection agency, cautions grantseekers:2
Sometimes, it’s an ad that claims you will qualify to receive a “free grant” to pay for
education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. Other times, it’s a
phone call supposedly from a “government” agency or some other organization with an
1 Grants.gov website Who is Eligible for a Grant? at http://www.grants.gov/aboutgrants/eligibility.jsp.
2 Federal Trade Commission, FTC Consumer Alert, “Free Government Grants: Don’t Take Them For Grant-ed,”
September 2006; at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.shtm.
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official sounding name. In either case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is
guaranteed to be accepted, and you’ll never have to pay the money back.
But, warns the FTC, these “money for nothing” grant offers usually are misleading, whether you
see them in your local paper, through the Internet, or hear about them on television or receive a
phone call. Consumers should beware of paying “processing fees” for information that is
available free to the public. Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home
business, unpaid bills, or other personal expenses are often a scam.
Key Federal Sources
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General Services Administration)
http://www.cfda.gov
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is the primary source of information on
federal grants and nonfinancial assistance programs. Actual funding depends upon annual budget
appropriations. For example, some authorized federal programs may be described in the Catalog
but Congress may choose not to fund them in a certain budget year. Key features of CFDA
include the following:
• Describes some 2,100 federal domestic assistance programs, financial and
nonfinancial assistance programs administered by the departments and agencies
of the federal government; approximately 1,000 of these are grants programs.
• Allows grantseekers to identify federal programs that might provide support for
their projects, either directly, or through grants to states and local governments
that in turn make sub-awards to local grantseekers.
• Available free to the public, searchable full-text, and updated continuously on the
Web.
• Enables searching by keyword; or by other useful browsable listings, such as by
subject, by department or agency, by applicant eligibility, by beneficiary, or by
other category.
• For each program, describes objectives of the program, eligibility requirements,
the application and award process, post assistance requirements, past fiscal year
obligations and future estimates, program accomplishments and examples of
funded projects, related CFDA programs, and information contacts, including
regional or local offices of federal agencies if applicable.
• Links to department and agency websites and to Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) circulars affecting program management and record-keeping
requirements.
• Includes information on developing and writing grant proposals: provides
guidance in formulating federal grant applications, proposal development, basic
components of a proposal, review recommendations, and referral to federal
guidelines and literature.
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Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov
FedConnect https://www.fedconnect.net
After grantseekers identify federal programs in CFDA and contact agencies (see section below),
they may be directed to register and apply at websites such as Grants.gov or FedConnect when
application announcements for competitive grants become available. The websites allow
grantseekers to register and download applications for current competitive funding opportunities
from all 26 federal grants-making agencies. Grantseekers themselves can check on notices of
funding availability (NOFAs) or requests for proposals (RFPs); sign up to receive e-mail
notification of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants online through a unified process.
The sites also guide grantseekers in obtaining Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) numbers (follow
instructions at http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/org_step1.jsp), and registering at Central
Contractor Registration (CCR; follow instructions at http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/
org_step2.jsp), both required for all federal grants.
To download and submit an application from Grants.gov or FedConnect, registration is required.
The sites provide a narrated tutorial on how to complete a grant application package and a
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Once an application is submitted, grants applicants
themselves can then track progress of their application using their unique ID and password.
Applications can be identified by CFDA number, funding opportunity number, competition ID, or
tracking number.
Federal Contacts in States and State Administering
Agencies
For eligible state and local governments and nonprofit organizations, after identifying appropriate
programs it is recommended grantseekers contact federal and state agencies early in the process,
before submitting formal applications. State-located federal offices may handle federal grant
applications and disbursement of funds. State government departments and agencies also fund
projects and administer federal block grants.
Federal Agency Regional and Local Office Addresses (from CFDA)
https://www.cfda.gov/?s=appendix&mode=list&tab=list
Many federal departments and agencies have state or regional offices that grantseekers can
contact for additional program information and application procedures. Much of the federal grant
budget moves to the states through formula and block grants. State, regional, and local federal
offices often handle grants applications and funds disbursement. Each federal agency has its own
procedures: applicants should call the department or agency in question before applying for
funding to obtain the most up-to-date information.
State Administering Agencies
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. For more information on how a state
intends to distribute federal formula funds, grantseekers can contact the State Administering
Agency (SAA). State government agencies are familiar with federal program requirements, can
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assist local governments and nonprofit organizations with proposals, and can provide other
guidance.
Many federal department and agency websites include SAAs and often the site will have an
interactive U.S. map. Grantseekers can click on their state and obtain program and state contact
information. A selection of some executive department websites includes the following:3
• Agriculture Rural Development State Contacts
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Partners
http://www.arts.gov/partner/state/SAA_RAO_list.html
• Commerce Offices and Services
http://www.commerce.gov/about-commerce/services
• Education (ED) State Contacts
http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html
• Energy (DOE) State Activities and Partnerships
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/state_information.cfm
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grant Regional Office
http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/regional.htm
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) State Offices and Agencies
http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/statedr.shtm
• Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration on Children and Families:
State Contacts http://www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_contact_us.html#state
• Homeland Security (DHS) State Contacts and Grant Award Information
http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD) State/Local Offices
http://www.hud.gov/localoffices.cfm
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEA) State Councils
http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/statecouncils.html
• Office of Justice Programs (OJP) State Administering Agencies
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/
• Labor (DOL) Education and Training Administration, State Contacts
http://www.doleta.gov/regions/statecontacts/
• Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
• Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regional Offices
http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/12926.html
• Veterans Affairs State/Territory Offices
http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm
3 Compiled by CRS from executive department and agency websites.
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State Single Point of Contact (Office of Management and Budget)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc
States often require federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for state
government review and comment, and many (but not all) have designated a state Single Point of
Contact (SPOC). The state offices listed here coordinate government grants development and may
provide guidance to grantseekers.
Related Federal Sources
A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies (General Services Administration)
http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/index.shtml
To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency’s home page to learn more
about its programs and objectives. The site also includes the following:
• Government Benefits, Grants and Financial Aid
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml
• Grants and Financial Management
http://www.usa.gov/Government/State_Local/Grants.shtml
Covers grants management, federal assistance programs, resources about
acquisition and procurement, financial management, and taxes.
• Grants, Loans, and Other Assistance
http://www.usa.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml
Links to federal department and agency information and services, fundraising
and outreach, grants, loans and other assistance, laws and regulations,
management and operations, registration and licensing, and taxes.
• Businesses and Nonprofits
http://www.usa.gov/Business/Business_Gateway.shtml
Links to useful sites, including financial assistance, for small business,
government contractors, and foreign business in the United States.
Grants Management Website (Office of Management and Budget)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_circulars
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars
and common rules. OMB Circulars are cited in CFDA program descriptions.
Private, Corporate, and Additional Funding Sources
Foundation Center
http://www.foundationcenter.org/
Information gateway to the grant seeking process, private funding sources (including national,
state, community, and corporate foundations), guidelines on writing a grants proposal, addresses
of libraries in every state with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet
websites. The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundation grantsmanship,
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publishes directories and guides, conducts research and publishes studies in the field, and offers a
variety of training and educational seminars. Free information on the website includes the
following:
• Guide to Funding Research
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/gfr/index.html
• Foundation Finder
http://lnp.foundationcenter.org/finder.html
Search for information about more than 70,000 private and community
foundations.
• Proposal Writing Short Course
http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html
Free tutorial on developing a good grant proposal; also in Spanish, French, and
other languages.
• Foundation Center Cooperating Collections
http://foundationcenter.org/collections/
Libraries in every state providing the Foundation Directory Online and free
funding information for grantseekers.
Community Foundations Locator (Council on Foundations)
http://www.cof.org/whoweserve/community/resources/index.cfm?navItemNumber=15626
Community foundations may be particularly interested in funding local projects and maintain
diverse grants programs.
Funding Sources (Grantsmanship Center)
http://tgci.com/funding.shtml
The website provides listings by state of top grantmaking, community, and corporate foundations
that grantseekers might consider in identifying likely sources of private foundation funding.
Grants and Related Resources (Michigan State University Libraries)
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/index.htm
The site provides government and private grants resources, primarily Internet, by subject or
group categories, and is updated frequently. Webpages include
Funding for Business and Economic Development
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2biz.htm
Grants for Nonprofit
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm
Grants for Individuals (primarily financial aid and scholarships)
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3subject.htm
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Grant Proposal Writing Websites
A number of websites provide guidance, tips, and sample proposals. Constituents may also
request from congressional offices CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant
Proposal, by Merete F. Gerli, which discusses standard content and formats. Websites that may be
useful include the following:
• Developing and Writing Grant Proposals (CFDA)
https://www.cfda.gov/?static=grants&s=generalinfo&mode=list&tab=list&
tabmode=list
• How to Write a Grant Proposal for a Non-Profit Organization
http://www.ehow.com/how_5915785_write-grant-proposal-non_profit-
organization.html
• How to Write a Non Profit Grant Proposal http://www.ehow.com/
how_7455798_write-non-profit-grant-proposal.html
• Proposal Writing Short Course (Foundation Center)
http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html (also has sample proposals)
• Sample Proposals (SchoolGrants.org)
http://www.k12grants.org/samples/
• Selected Proposal Writing Websites (University of Pittsburgh)
http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/proposal/propwriting/websites.html
• Writing a Successful Grant Proposal (Minnesota Council on Foundations)
http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm
Author Contact Information
Merete F. Gerli
Information Research Specialist
mgerli@crs.loc.gov, 7-7109
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