At Grants. gov, you can browse grant opportunities by category, such as Arts, Education, Energy, Law or Science, or many more. You can browse by federal agency, to see which branch of the government is currently awarding grants. Some of the agencies represented include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, Small Business Administration, and many others. You can browse by eligibility. This list includes such categories as “Independent School Districts,” “Individuals,” “Nonprofits” either with or without 501(c)(3) tax status, or “Small businesses. ” By selecting a group that describes you or your organization, you can narrow your search to find grants that may best suit you.
The CFDA site provides access to a User Guide through a link at the bottom of the screen. The User Guide can help you understand the site, refine your searches, and read through the results of your searches. For further help in searching the CFDA site, you can call the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220. At that number, you can access a recorded list of self-help topics, or you can speak with a live operator who can help you refine your search.
For example, a search for the key term “music” within the past 90 days results in a list of 118 grants or other opportunities. These include such things as “Protestant Music Director,” “Music Instruments for Guam High School,” and “Music Therapy” for children at U. S. facilities in Germany.
Once you find a useful website from a particular agency, such as the one above, you should bookmark it on your computer. Then return to it every few weeks to check for updates. The information that you find on an individual agency site should also appear at Grants. gov. However, to be thorough in your research, checking the individual agencies is a good idea.
As an example, a search for “Montana state grants” leads you to the official state website Montana. gov and a list of 16 different categories of grants. These include “Arts,” Wildlife,” “Community Development” and others. [6] X Research source A search for “New York state grants” leads to the New York Department of State and a list of grants including a “Local Government Efficiency Grant” and a “Community Services” grant. [7] X Research source Many state grants are budgeted with money that initiates from the federal government, so you may find some overlap in your state research and federal research.
For example, a search for “Baltimore grants” leads to the Baltimore City Foundation. This is an organization that makes grants to nonprofit organizations within the city of Baltimore to improve the lives of underprivileged youth and families in Baltimore.
To receive a grant, you need to qualify for it. There’s no way around it. Always make sure to check the requirements, or you’ll simply lose time.
Government organizations. These may include state, county, city, or special district government groups. In some cases, this may also include Native American tribal governing bodies. Education organizations. These may be public school districts, private schools, independent or charter schools, or private colleges or universities. Public housing agencies. Non-profit organizations. These may include groups that either do or do not qualify for 501(c)(3) tax benefits. Small businesses. In most cases, to qualify for a loan that is classified for “small businesses,” your group would have to fit the definition and size classifications established by the federal Small Business Administration. More information on that classification can be found at https://www. sba. gov/contracting/getting-started-contractor/make-sure-you-meet-sba-size-standards/table-small-business-size-standards. Individuals. Most government grants, particularly the ones offered through Grants. gov, are designed for groups or organizations. However, some grants are available for individuals.
Be careful to record the FON correctly. These labels are lengthy. For example, the FON for one particular grant for a Community Economic Development Project is HHS-2017-ACF-OCS-EE-1213. Be sure to include all letters and numbers accurately. [14] X Research source
After entering the FON, then click on the “Register” button at the bottom of the screen. Before registering as an individual for a particular grant, make sure that the grant is available to individuals. If the grant is not offered to individuals, but you try to enter its FON to register, you will receive an error message when you click “Register. ”
A list of useful resources appears in a box at the left of the screen. These include “Apply for Grants,” “Manage My Workspaces,” and “Applicant Tools & Tips. ”
You can obtain your DUNS number by telephone at 866-705-5711. You can apply for a DUNS number online at http://fedgov. dnb. com/webform.
This step can take up to a week or two. It may take longer if your organization does not already have an Employer Identification Number.
This final step can be completed in minutes. You will then be prompted to your Applicant Center page to begin any applications or monitor pending applications.
A cover form, which will introduce your organization and the project for which you are requesting the grant. [22] X Research source A budget summary form, which indicates what federal money you are seeking, as well any non-federal matching funds. A line-by-line budget, which provides a detailed breakdown of each budget category. An explanation of non-federal resources, which will account for all money sources for the project that will not be provided by the grant. A forecast of grant needs, which will provide an estimate of your project’s first-year grant-funding needs. An additional forecast for additional years may also be required if you are applying for a multi-year grant. Assurance forms, which provide assurance to the government that you can do what is expected of you if you are selected as a grant recipient.
A proposal summary. This outlines your project’s goals and is generally included at the beginning of your proposal. Generally, this will come after the cover page, and should only be a few paragraphs long. An introduction to your organization. This will introduce your organization to the funder, with an emphasis on how your work is relevant to the funding goals. It should also introduce board members, important staff members, the organizational philosophy, goals, track records, and previous grant successes. A needs assessment. This should detail the problem or need you hope to address with the grant funding. Project objectives. This will closely detail how you plan to put your project inaction, and how the project actions will solve the problems or meet the needs outlined in the needs assessment. A detailed budget. The budget provided in your grant proposal should be very detailed, itemizing what the project will cost as much as possible. Be ready to justify each expense, and include a description of how you plan to keep the project funded after the grant ends.
Only your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will be able to submit the grant.
