Who Are Eligible for Federal Grants

Who are eligible for federal grants? If you think about it, almost everyone is eligible for a federal grant as long as this is not used for personal gain. Through the years, organizations which have a vision are the ones that are awarded the much needed funding they need.

On a government level, this usually include city or township governments, local governments, Native American tribal governments, special district governments and state governments. Various federal agencies are at work here and this may include the Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce to name a few.

For schools, these consist of public and state controlled institutions of higher education, independent school districts and private institutions of higher education that are under the Department of Education.

For housing, a federal grant is usually given to public and Indian housing authorities that fall under the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Non-profit organizations may also get a federal grant. This is regardless if the organization has or does not have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.

Small businesses may also avail of a federal grant as long as it meets the size standards that are set by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

To give you an idea, this includes most manufacturing and mining industries that have 500 employees, wholesale trade industries that have 100 employees, retail and service industries that make $6 million, general & heavy construction industries that make $28.5 million, special trade contractors that make $12 million and agricultural industries that make $0.75 million.

If your organization is not within the standards set the by the SBA, you can check their website to find out if there is another way to get a federal grant.

Individuals may also apply for a federal grant as long as this is not used for personal gain. To do this, you submit your application together with your proposal not on not on behalf of a company, organization, institution, or government. Remember you can apply for a grant proposal that is catered to organizations and vice versa.

To find out what federal grants there are available, you are advised to go online at grants.gov. As you explore the site, you will be able to see if you qualify and what are the requirements.

You can even complete the application form and submit this online. You also have the option to download everything and then send this through registered mail.

After visiting the website, you will notice that anyone is eligible for the Federal Grant. Since there are not that many programs issues every year and this is divided into the different federal agencies, you should write a very good proposal detailing what you want to achieve.

So you can monitor the update of your application, don’t forget your CFDA Number, Funding Opportunity Number, Competition ID or Grants.gov Tracking Number.

If you don’t get it this year, don’t be discouraged and try again the following year or whenever it is once again open. Be sure to submit all the documents on or before the deadline so whichever agency that will handle your application will have ample time to review your proposal.

Once you get the federal grant, spend it wisely because the money you are using belongs to the taxpayer.