How to get Government Grants

There are 26 federal agencies who offer more than 1,000 grant programs every year in various categories. These categories are - 

• Agriculture
• Arts
• Business and Commerce
• Community Development
• Disaster Prevention and Relief
• Education
• Employment
• Labor and Training, Energy
• Environmental Quality
• Food and Nutrition
• Health
• Housing
• Humanities
• Information and Statistics
• Law
• Justice and Legal Services
• Natural Resources
• Recovery Act
• Regional Development
• Science and Technology
• Social Services and Income Security
• Transportation

Agencies who provides these grants are Agency for - 

• International Development
• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Justice
• Department of Labor
• Department of State
• Department of Transportation
• Department of the Treasury
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Archives and Records Administration
• National Endowment for the Arts
• National Endowment for the Humanities
• National Science Foundation
• Small Business Administration
• Social Security Administration

These agencies are very particular on issuing grants as these are not for benefits or entitlements and may not be used to acquire property or services for the federal government’s benefit. Recipient receives a financial assistance from a federal agency in order to meet their public obligations or support, and these grants are not loans for individuals. However, few of the grants are available to individuals but not for personal financial aid.

There are numerous groups of organizations who would be eligible for government grants and some of the grantees like -

• Government Organizations
• Education Organizations
• Public Housing Organizations
• Non-Profit Organizations
• For-Profit Organization (Small Businesses)
• Individuals etc.

To get a Government grant one has to submit a proposal whereby it should state proposal components like -

• summary
• introduction
• problem statement
• project objectives
• program methods and design
• evaluation, future funding
• budget

In the proposal summary it should outlined the project goals in the form of a cover letter which encompass all the key summary points required, and therefore gives the initial impression. It is however, important that a fund-able project should be selected in relation to local needs.

In the introduction part, organization should provide its data from all the sources, where it supports if the organization briefs its past and future operations. It may furnish name of board members, key staff members, its goal, vision, track records, achievements and all these should be aligned to the Federal grantor to establish credibility.

In the problem statement, it should be clear, specific, and well-supported statement for which the grant is required. The information provided should be factual and directly related to the proposal. Moreover, excellent background references and can be found in any local regional or State government planning office, local university imparting planning and evaluation technical courses. While the data may include historical, geographic, quantitative, factual, statistical, also studies from colleges and research from public and university libraries.

In the objective part, the outcome should have a desirable result where the proposal has such effect where it fulfills the requirements and brings a change.

In the program method and design part, it is advisable to sketch out resources to operate and a flow chart diagram describing interrelationship within the resources. Planning for accountable results and actions, and possibly does not compromise or forgo project quality. Then, on short accounts of fund exhaustion and the impending implications in the project, and lastly emphasizing on to consider this project over other projects.

In the evaluation part, it consists of two parts as product evaluation and project evaluation. As now-a-days most of the Federal agencies require some kind of programs evaluation among grantees, where it may be conducted by an internal body, a firm or combination of both, and, should mention the time required, the process of evaluation, schedule for review as well as comment for this process to communicate. Further, a point to remember, both agreement and coordination among the decision maker is necessary for the evaluation, the Federal grantor agency’s requirements should be clearly highlighted in the design. Then there are future funding on long term project planning and proposal budget planning. These help to measure the appropriations over the past several years future funding levels. The future funding can be illustrated through a plan for continuation beyond the grant period keeping in sight the other resources necessary to implement the grant. With these guidelines to follow one can be familiar as how to get government grant and qualifies for the grants, thereby fulfilling it objectives and purpose. Thank you.