The U.S. government and many non-profit organizations offer financial assistance in an effort to help low-income families afford life’s necessities and work on building a better future for themselves. These Federal and non-federal grants can help alleviate financial burden and pull families out of their economic crisis. The best part is that grant money NEVER has to be paid back. Distributing financial resources to eligible recipients provides public services and helps to stimulate the economy
If you are just learning about the world of grants and government funding, it can be confusing to find the right program for you and your family.
Federal Grants, Funding & Benefit Programs
Grants.gov is the official government website for you to search and apply for various federal grants. By visiting this webpage you can get a short summary of grants, how they work, search various grant programs, determine your eligibility and even learn how to apply. Some of the most popular grant types are listed below:
- Housing
- Education
- Medical
- Food & Nutrition
- Veterans
- Small Business
- Disability
Non-Federal Grant Programs
There are a large number of nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses that also provide grants or other types of funding assistance. Try using the Community Foundation Locator to find a grant-making foundation in your area. Prospective grant applicants can also check The Foundation Center where you can access a comprehensive database on the U.S. and global grant-makers and the funding opportunities they have available.
How To Apply For Grants
Once you have found the right type of funding for your needs and determined you meet the eligibility requirements you can download or request the application. It is necessary to carefully follow the instructions provided by the specific organization when filling out the application. In some cases, a grant application will require that you submit a grant proposal. This proposal will be used to clearly show you meet the grant’s requirements, a budget and what you intended on using the grant money for. Many examples of these proposals can be found on the internet for reference. There are even specialists you can hire to assist in writing your proposal.
