Federal support is sometimes available in the form of grants or other funding to assist with projects and programs that implement federal laws. My office is ready and willing to assist you with information on possible grant availability, on guidance in applying for a grant, and in supporting your grant application. Please call my 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.
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.
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. The website also helps grantseekers obtain a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number and register on the System for Award Management (SAM), a requirement for obtaining most federal grants.
- 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.
