Federal Grant Money

Federal Grant Money

Every year, through the annual federal budget process, Congress passes laws allocating grant money for distribution among the various government agencies for doing major projects designed to assist a particular public sector or projects that are more or less community-based. These projects may be suggested by the agencies themselves, or by Members of the Congress, the President, the states, cities, or ordinary citizens. But, in the end, Congress decides which programs get how much federal grant money.

After approval of the federal budget, federal grant money or funds for the projects start to become available. The programs will then be “announced” in the Federal Register throughout the year. Afterwards, they will appear as part of the listings in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or the CFDA.

If you want a comprehensive resource for federal grant money, you should check out the CFDA website at CFDA.gov. The site is actually a database or listing of all grant and assistance programs – currently, there are over 1,420 – administered by the 57 federal agencies of the U.S. Federal Government.

Searching for federal grant money through the site is absolutely free, which is more than what you could say for other grant seekers out there who claim to “help” you find grants for a minimal fee. Don't let these people cheat you out of your money. If it's help you want, then why not seek help appropriate people and proper places where you may get help in a legitimate manner? Searching for federal grant money should be without charge. Besides, if they're claiming to help you find “free money”, why are they charging you for it?

If for some reason you can't check the site, don't give up on grants just yet. Most public libraries and college libraries actually have copies of current CFDA listings. Just check with your local public librarian and see if you can get a copy of CFDA federal grant money listing.

Besides the CFDA, another great resource for federal grant money is the Weekly Federal Funding Report. Published by the House of Representatives, the journal features recent grant programs approved and given funds by Congress.

Moreover, the Federal Register may also be tapped for current federal grant money available as a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

For other federal grant money resources, check out the following:

* Grantsnet (OS.DHHS.gov)

Run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grantsnet is a public access computer network for finding and exchanging information about HHS and other federal grant money programs. The site is a great source of helpful information on finding, getting, and administering federal grant money.

* Non-Profit Gateway (NonProfit.gov)

“A network of links to federal government information and services,” the site is a smorgasbord of links to agency and department-level information on federal grant money.

* The Foundation Center (FdnCenter.org)

The Foundation Center is a nonprofit organization that offers extensive information on non-governmental sources of funding for projects and programs you may have. The organization provides you with very good alternatives to federal grant money.