Grants. Just the word alone can bring so much excitement and relief to nonprofit organizations. The ability to secure a government grant can give nonprofits the financial support they need to accomplish their goals and make a difference in their communities.
One of the biggest benefits to receiving a federal or state grant is that your organization is not often required to pay the grant back. This makes the thought of winning a government grant very ideal for nonprofit organizations.
But where do you start when looking for these grants? More specifically – how do you find the grants that are specific to nonprofits?
Let’s take a look at the types of government grants available, how to find them, and how to apply.
There are many different types of grants available. Most however, can be categorized as government or private.
When it comes to government grants, there are two main types available for nonprofit organizations: federal grants and state grants.
While both types of grants offer financial assistance to nonprofits, they each have different eligibility requirements that must be met before an organization can apply—so it’s important to understand the difference between them.
Grant research is an essential part of any non-profits fundraising efforts. Finding the right government grant opportunities can be overwhelming, and getting your research wrong can lead to missed opportunities and a lot of wasted time. Some customers streamline this process by either outsourcing the grant writing process or working with AI tools like Grantboost
One of the best ways to find potential government grant opportunities is through online databases like Grants.gov or Candid.org ( Foundation Directory Online) which provide comprehensive lists of federal or state-funded grant programs.
Grants.gov is a useful resource for individuals and organizations alike who are seeking federal funding for projects or initiatives that improve public services or advance research in areas of interest to the government. A common first stop for new and experienced grant writers to find information from 26 different federal agencies. This is a great place to look and find grants from specific agencies, like the DHHS Grant Program.
Grants.gov provides detailed information on each grant program, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, deadlines and contact information.
Founded in 2002 and managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Grants.gov is an E-Government initiative. Applicants can search for grants, upload applications and track the status of their applications after submitting.
Grants.gov displays information on 1000+ grant programs with a collective $500 billion in grants distributed annually.
Candid.org is a powerful resource for grantseekers. It is one of the world’s largest database of philanthropic giving, containing information on over 140,000 grantmaking foundations and corporate donors in the U.S., along with detailed profiles of their funding interests and giving strategies.
Foundation Directory Online displays comprehensive information on foundations, helping users easily identify potential sources of support by searching by keyword, name, or geography.
Candid.org also offers information on other nonprofits, and helpful content for running a nonprofit operation.
You can also search through your local chamber of commerce directory or contact your state’s department of commerce or community development office for more information on state-specific grant opportunities.
Finally, don’t forget about professional associations—many times these groups will have information on grant opportunities that might be applicable to your organization’s mission and goals.
Once you’ve identified potential grant opportunities that fit your organization’s needs, it’s time to focus on crafting a competitive and compelling application!.
It’s important to remember that grants are very competitive so make sure to put your best foot forward when applying for a government grant. Be sure to read through the opportunity from start to finish to make sure that you align with the Funder’s mission. Some might require attachments and supporting documents like Letters of Support.
This process usually involves completing an extensive application form with detailed questions about your organization’s mission, programs, budget, organizational structure, and more—which is why it pays to work with the right set of tools to paint your nonprofit in the best light possible. This process can sound tedious but ai grant writing tools (like grantboost) can speed up the process of completing an application for a government grant.
Government grants can be a great source of financial support for nonprofit organizations—if you know where to look! By familiarizing yourself with the types available (federal versus state) as well as researching potential sources online or through professional networks, you can uncover plenty of great resources that could potentially fund your projects and help you reach new heights as an organization!
Good luck out there!
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NEEDS
When I’m writing grants, I need the voice to sound like my nonprofit, so that I can use our unique voice
When I’m reviewing the output, I need to be able to edit the prompt so that I can refine the output.