Federal Grants
Federal grant and related funding support is sometimes available to assist with state, local and community projects and programs that implement federal laws. My office is ready and willing to assist you with information on possible grant availability, guidance in applying for a grant, and support for your grant application. Please review the information below or call my Honolulu District Office at 808-650-6688 or email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov.
GRANTS OVERVIEW
The federal government typically awards grants to universities, researchers, state and local governments, law enforcement and non-profit organizations and institutions planning and implementing projects that will benefit a specific community or our state as a whole.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has prepared two reports that provide a general overview for those seeking federal grants. I encourage you to read these two reports before searching for grant programs or preparing grant proposals.
- CRS Grants Overview
- CRS Guide for Developing and Writing Grant Proposals
The federal government does not offer grants to individuals to start businesses or cover personal expenses. Websites or other publications claiming to offer "free money from the government" are often scams that should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. However, there are government websites that outline federal programs assisting with personal needs, student loans, small business development or finding government business opportunities.
My office has also developed this Federal Grant Resource Guide to explain the federal grants process. It will help you search for grant opportunities, learn how to submit a grant request and find additional potential funding resources.
KEY FUNDING SOURCES
The following federal websites list specific grant programs available to the public:
- Grants.gov. This website lists grant opportunities from every federal agency. It explains and links to the potential grant applicant registration process, which involves registering with SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to all entities (public and private companies, individuals, institutions, or organizations) to do business with the Federal Government. Organizations will also need to designate an E-Business Point of Contact. It can take 7-10 business days to fully complete the registration process required for most funding opportunities. There is no fee for registering with SAM.gov.
- sam.gov. This website includes more than 2,200 federal assistance programs (including grants, loans, and other financial and nonfinancial assistance). The federal government is working to make this site the official U.S. government website for everyone who makes, receives and manages federal awards.
In addition to federal grants, you can also consider securing grants through the following non-federal sources:
- Foundation Center Grant Space. The center’s website is a gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, state libraries with grants reference collections and links to other useful websites. The center also offers a variety of training and educational seminars.
- Grantsmanship Center. This organization offers links to Hawaii’s foundations, national community foundations and corporate giving programs.
- Council on Foundations. The Council on Foundations’ website has a list of the more than 750 community foundations throughout the nation who award grants.
