Nonprofit Management All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 3

Venturing into Public-Sector Grants

IN THIS CHAPTER

Taking a close look at nearby public funding

Stepping into the world of federal grant-making agencies

Understanding the different types of grants

This chapter takes you on a journey down the government’s grant-making highway, which starts in Congress and ends in your state, county, town, village, or city. Before we get started, though, let’s set the record straight when it comes to government money: There is no such thing as a “free” grant or “free money.” Every grant award comes with strings attached. Either you have to spend your own money first (reimbursement grant) and submit receipts to get grant funds, or you have to file reams of electronic paperwork to generate an electronic funds transfer into your organization’s bank account.

Looking for Local Funding First

Washington, D.C., is a funding epicenter for U.S. government grant-making agencies. Congress creates legislation and then votes to allocate funding to hundreds of grant-making programs annually. This funding then trickles down to your state capital. (Note that there are plentiful opportunities for nonprofits and units of local government to apply directly ...