Grant Applicants

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

• USA.gov Benefits, Grants and Loans pages

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, updated March 2021.

• How Best to Find Information
• Key Federal Funding Sources
• Related Federal Sources
• Private and Corporate Funding

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 beta.SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Includes grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help.

3. Contact federal office given in each beta.SAM.gov Assistance Listing program description.

4. Go to federal websites given in each beta.SAM.gov Assistance Listing program description.

5. Check current federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, obtain a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number, register with System for Award Management (SAM), and apply online (links and instructions given at the website). Additional notices appear at FedConnect.net.

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.

• A-Z Index Departments & Agencies
• USA.gov for Business
• FedBizOpps.gov
• Student Aid on the Web
• Benefits.gov
• FTC Consumer Alert
• OMB Circulars

• 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.

• 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.
• How do I find grants for my nonprofit?
• Proposal Writing Short Course (also in Spanish, French and other languages)
• Foundation Information Network Check for locations at Grants Space, Find Us. Free funding information available in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit centers nationwide, including access to the Foundation Directory Online database.

• 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 grantmaking 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:
• Resources for Grantseekers
• How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal