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Federal grants are generally awarded to nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, schools, colleges, universities, Native American tribal organizations, and other nonprofit community based organizations. Rarely, are for-profit organizations eligible for federal grants, or any other kind of grant. Many companies advertise, “free federal grants” or “free money, but in most cases, nothing in life is free. While it is true federal grants, unlike loans, do not need to be paid back; they are not “free.” In most cases, federal grants require the applicant to deliver certain services, products, or other specified deliverables to underserved populations or people in need within a community.
The only differences in applying for federal grants vs. applying for grants from private foundations are the number of forms and components required. To apply for federal grants you are normally required to complete the following forms and proposal components:
The rest of the grant proposal for federal grants is very similar to any other grant proposal. Federal grants are generally judged against a set of criteria for which points are allocated. Sample criteria for federal grants include the following, which have been extracted from a Youthbuild RFP:
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Capacity of Applicant and Relevant Organizational Experience (15 points)
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Need/Extent of the Problem (25 points)
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Soundness of Approach (40 points)
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Leveraging Resources (10 points)
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Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (10 points)
Private foundations often word their questions differently than federal government agencies, but the proposal responses should be very similar. For example:
“The capacity of applicant and relevant organizational information” required in federal grant applications, might be referred to as “applicant qualifications” in a private foundation proposal.
“Soundness of approach” required in federal grant applications might be referred to “Program Plan” in a private foundation proposal. A private foundation might also ask for “project objectives or activities to accomplish your goal.”
“Leveraging resources” required in federal grant applications, might be asked in a private foundation proposal with the following word: “Describe how you will collaborate with other organizations in the community.”
Our company, U. S. Government Grants, and its affiliates offer Two-Day Grant Writing Workshops across the country that provides participants with the knowledge and tools to successfully apply for grants. In lively, energetic, and enthusiastic style, its trainers provide a road map for success in writing proposals for all types of government grants, foundation grants and corporate grants. Whether you are a beginning grant writer or a seasoned professional, you’ll learn how to create better grant proposals in a simple step-by-step process. Our workshops feature actual grant writing practice, as well as team activities, and immediate feedback. Students have the opportunity to work on their own grant proposals throughout the two days and receive recommendations for improvement. Professional presentation handouts are provided along with a workbook full of samples of award-winning grant proposals for federal grants, private foundation grants and corporate grants. Individualized research is conducted by the trainers prior to the workshop so that each student takes home a list of 10-100 potential funders who are interested in funding their issue in their state. In addition, students will learn shortcuts on how to find out about state, local, and federal government grants.
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US Government Grants Sub Categories |
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