Acquiring Public Grants
Introduction
| Assessing
Your Readiness to Apply for Funding
Federal Funding Overview
The Federal government spends billions of dollars every year for health and human services programs that are distributed through over 1,500 different programs. The variety and multiplicity of grant funds can make the process of seeking and acquiring funding seem confusing and overwhelming. However, assistance is available to help organizations navigate the process successfully. Spending time learning about the types and sources of funding and becoming familiar with the language and processes of grant acquisition can make your efforts more efficient and effective.
Federal Grants
Are Different
While some elements and best practices are common to almost all grant-seeking, there are some distinct and unique aspects of government grants. Many private sources, foundations and corporations require brief proposals of only a few pages; they have minimal guidelines and are very specifically focused. On the other hand, Federal grant sources—agencies and departments—have multiple goals, specific program requirements, regulations and eligibility limitations; furthermore, they require compliance with a number of government-wide standards (discussed later in the guidebook). That is why it is important to do your homework and spend time becoming familiar with the various Federal assistance programs and their specific requirements.
Types of Federal
Assistance
There are two basic types of Federal assistance—"discretionary" grants and "formula" or "block" grants. Discretionary grants are given by a Federal agency directly to organizations to provide services—for example, a Department of Labor may give a grant to an organization that is assisting individuals in the job search process. These grants are usually awarded competitively in response to published program announcements and requests for proposals or applications (termed RFPs or RFAs). These grants are usually project specific and time-limited.
The Federal government also puts money in the hands of other state, county and city governments that then make grants to local organizations. These are known as "formula" or "block" grants since they are based on specific calculations to determine amounts that are awarded in a block or lump sum to the state, county or city. These grants may be made to units of government to carry out the missions of particular Federal initiatives and programs. Unlike discretionary grants, formula or block grants may be awarded for continuing activities and are not limited to a specific project. Contact or visit the websites of your state, county or city government for information on these resources.
Grant Research
Resources
The Federal government has many grant research sources available to help organizations. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) has created a listing of nearly 100 programs of the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Justice (DOJ), Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), Education (ED), Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The list contains general information about programs that may be of interest to small or grassroots organizations and is available in the brochure, Federal Funding Opportunities for Organizations that Help Those in Need, obtained at the OFBCI website, www.fbci.gov.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is the Federal government’s primary grants resource directory, accessed at www.cfda.gov. Here, you can search topics by program, agency, program deadline or type of assistance. You can also search this database to find assistance programs for which you are eligible and those that meet your requirements. You can then contact the agency or go to the website of the office that administers the program and find out how to apply.
The CFDA website also contains information to help you write proposals, although you cannot apply for grants on this site. You must go to the website of the appropriate department, agency and program in order to get the specific information needed to apply.
In addition to the CFDA and FBCI websites, keep these other important resources in mind:
FedGrants: www.fedgrants.gov. This website promotes the free Federal grants opportunities listing and notification service. Register here and you will be notified of program announcements, deadlines and changes in grant programs of particular interest to you.
The Federal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. This is the official Federal government publication where all Federal program announcements, notices and regulations are published. Updated daily, the Federal Register should be monitored regularly for program announcements and regulations that apply to programs.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grants Guide: www.hhs.gov/fbci/guide. The Grants Guide lists grant opportunities for faith-based organizations (FBOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). Each program has been rated according to the type of opportunity it presents to small, grassroots organizations.
Guidance for Faith-based Organizations: If you represent a faith-based organization, special help is available to help you learn about and access Federal resources. Information about programs for faith-based organizations can be found at the White House FBCI website mentioned earlier and at the agency Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Justice, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development. These websites can be accessed through links at www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/technical-assistance.html or at the specific agency website.
Another good resource for a newly developed faith-based organization is the Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government booklet, which is available on the OFBCI website at www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci. It provides an overview of the Federal grants process and offers guidance about the unique needs of faith-based organizations regarding seeking and managing Federal grants.
While there are no Federal funds set aside specifically for faith-based organizations, a program like the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) is designed to help faith-based and other community-based organizations in accessing Federal resources through technical assistance and training. For specific information for faith-based organizations and the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), go to www.hhs.gov/fbci. The site also contains links to other Department of Health and Human Services faith-based initiatives as well as information about technical assistance providers across the country.
State and Local Grant Opportunities: The offices and websites of your state, county or city are good places to start learning more about these sources; they can refer you to the appropriate agency or department. Governments are required to publish Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Applications (RFAs) so local newspapers should be monitored for notices of grant opportunities. Finally, state, county and city governments will often hold informational technical assistance workshops in local communities where you can meet and talk to grant program staff. These workshops are advertised and open to the public.
Appendix IV of the CFDA contains listings of regional and state offices and contact people for grant-making Federal agencies. This information can be accessed at www.cfda.gov/public/cat-app4-14.htm.
What Type of Funding Is Right for You?
| If you are just starting out, seeking funds from state or local sources may be the best choice. It may be easier to get needed technical assistance from local program staff familiar with your organization and community. On the other hand, if you believe that your organization has the capacity, staff skills and support necessary to seek funding from the Federal government, then take the time to fully prepare for the process. It can be complex and requires significant energy and concentrated effort. Whatever source you decide to pursue, research is important. | |
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Introduction
| Assessing
Your Readiness to Apply for Funding