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 businesses and students may be eligible for loans. Free information is readily available to grantseekers, who generally know best the details of their projects. The Assistance Listings database at beta.SAM.gov describes more than 2,200 federal programs, more than half of them grants, and can be searched by keyword, 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 program become available, sign up for email 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.
This report includes sources of information on writing grant proposals. See also CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Maria Kreiser and Julie Jennings.
Additional sources are also included in the CRS web page, "Grants and Federal Assistance." See also CRS Report RL34035, Grants Work in a Congressional Office, by Maria Kreiser and Julie Jennings.
This report will be updated at the beginning of every Congress and as needed.
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 or community 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 subawards 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.
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 private 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.
Many groups or organizations are eligible to apply for government grants. Typically, most grantees fall into the following categories:1
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 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 scams.
Assistance Listings at beta.SAM.gov (General Services Administration)
https://beta.SAM.gov/
Official descriptions of more than 2,200 federal assistance programs (including grants, loans, and other financial and nonfinancial assistance) can be found on beta.SAM.gov. The website, produced by the General Services Administration (GSA), is currently in beta, and it houses federal assistance listings previously found on the now-retired Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Each federal assistance program has a corresponding CFDA program number; these CFDA numbers are still used as numerical program identifiers. Programs are searchable at the "Assistance Listings" domain at beta.SAM.gov; descriptions are updated by departments and agencies, and they cover authorizing legislation, objectives, and eligibility and compliance requirements. The site will eventually be renamed SAM.gov.
About 1,800 assistance programs are classified as grants. Assistance listing descriptions include the following:
Grants.gov
http://www.grants.gov
FedConnect
https://www.fedconnect.net
After grantseekers identify federal programs in beta.SAM.gov 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 email 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 and registering with the System for Award Management (SAM); both are required for all federal grants (follow instructions at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html).
One limitation to Grants.gov and FedConnect.net is the exclusion of state-level grant program information. For example, Grants.gov provides information only about the funding opportunities for primary grant recipients (federal grant funds may be passed through the state to the local level; state government departments and agencies administer federal formula and block grants, and also fund projects). A local constituent would not be able to access information on Grants.gov about how to apply for federal funds available from a pass-through state-level agency, for example.
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 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.
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.
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 administer federal formula and block grants, and also fund projects.
State Administering Agencies or 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. 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 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
State Single Point of Contact (Office of Management and Budget)
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.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.
A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies (General Services Administration)
https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/a
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:
OMB Circulars (Office of Management and Budget)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/
OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars and common rules. OMB circulars are cited in beta.SAM.gov Assistance Listing program descriptions. Circulars target grants recipients and audit requirements for educational institutions, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
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, 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:
Community Foundations Locator (Council on Foundations)
http://www.cof.org/community-foundation-locator
Community foundations may be particularly interested in funding local projects and maintain diverse grants programs.
Funding Sources: Funding State by State (Grantsmanship Center)
http://tgci.com/funding-sources
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 Nonprofits
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
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 Maria Kreiser and Julie Jennings, which discusses standard content and formats. Websites that may be useful include the following:
Author Contact Information
Acknowledgments
This report was originally prepared by Merete F. Gerli, formerly an information research specialist at CRS.
| 1. |
Grants.gov website, "Who is Eligible for a Grant?," at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grant-eligibility.html. |
| 2. |
Federal Trade Commission, FTC Consumer Alert, "Government Grant Scams," September 2006; at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0113-government-grant-scams. |
| 3. |
Compiled by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) from executive department and agency websites. |