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The following resources are for those seeking information or assistance applying for Federal Grants. Please contact our office for additional information or assistance.

The following is compiled by the Congressional Research Service.

Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance

Guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for projects, as well as on private funding. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress

How Best to Find Information

How Best to Find Information

  1. Find out Who is Eligible for a Grant? Other government websites may be more suitable for personal needs, student loans, small business assistance, or other business opportunities such as government contracting. The website Government Benefits, Grants, and Loans may also be of help.
  2. If eligible, search for program information at SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Includes grants, loans, business and non-financial help.
  3. Contact federal office given in each SAM.gov Assistance Listing program description.
  4. Go to federal websites given in each SAM.gov Assistance Listing program description.
  5. To apply for a grant, you must first complete the registration process. The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is a government-wide registry for organizations doing business with the Federal government. SAM.gov centralizes information about grant recipients and provides a central location for grant recipients to change organizational information.  For more information on how to register and apply see here.
  6. Search foundations for project funding: use the Foundation Center Web site or Foundation Center Funding Information Network resources in libraries to identify national, state, and community foundations.
  7. Learn how to write grant proposals: Take the free online Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course or see other tips and sample proposals at Grantspace’s How Do I Write a Grant Proposal?

    Key Federal Funding Sources

    Assistance Listings (CFDA) at SAM.gov
    Official descriptions of more than 2,200 federal assistance programs (including grants, loans, and other financial and non-financial assistance) can be found on 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 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. For current notices of funding availability, see Grants.gov or FedConnect.net.

    Grants.gov
    Federal website that allows eligible grant-seekers (see Who is Eligible for a Grant?) to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. Grant-seekers can check on notices of funding availability (NOFA) posted in the last 7 days; access emails of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online. To apply for a grant, you must first complete the registration process. The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is a government-wide registry for organizations doing business with the Federal government. SAM.gov centralizes information about grant recipients and provides a central location for grant recipients to change organizational information.  For more information on how to register and apply see here.

    State Single Points of Contact  
    Under Executive Order 12372, some states require federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. The state offices listed here coordinate federal financial assistance and may direct federal development. For help in identifying state-level grants, other state government agencies websites may be found at: State and Local Agencies.

    Related Federal Resources

    West Environmental Justice Center

    Recently established by Congress, Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs) provide organizations or groups free hands-on help, training, resources, and support to tackle environmental or energy justice challenges.  If you are in a community with environmental justice concerns, this regional center can help.

    A-Z Index of U.S. Departments and Agencies

    General Services Administration
    To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency’s Home Page to learn more about its programs and objectives. The site USA.gov also links to Government Benefits, Grants, and Loans.

    USA.gov for Businesses and Nonprofits (GSA) Includes contracting with the U.S. government, international trade and exporting, and small business. See also financial assistance links at the Small Business Administration website.

    FedBizOpps.gov (GSA)
    Official website posting business, contracting, and procurement opportunities with the federal government. Useful information for vendors, including FBO Demonstration Videos and Frequently Asked Questions, appear under the Getting Started tab. Search options include an advanced search form for more targeted filtering of current opportunities.

    Student Aid on the Web (Dept. of Education)
    Information on funding education beyond high school, including grants, loans, and work-study assistance to qualified students.

    Benefits.gov (via Department of Labor)
    Includes information on over 1,000 government assistance programs, and how to apply. Covers direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services.

    FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission)
    The FTC warns consumers to 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.

    OMB Grants Guidance (Office of Management and Budget)
    OMB establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars and common rules.

    Private & Corporate Funding Sources

    Candid (formerly the Foundation Center) Grants Space

    Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet websites. The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars.

    Grant Resources by State (Grantsmanship Center)
    Click on state map to find links to information about a state’s foundations, community foundations, corporate giving programs and the state’s home page.

    Community Foundations
    There are more than 750 community foundations in the U.S., which are grant-making public charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. The Council on Foundations has a listing of community foundations by state.

    Also see these Congressional Research Service reports available to the public:

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