Applying for grants can seem a complicated and daunting undertaking. Even the terminology used can be perplexing. We have listed some of the most common words and phrases you may encounter on our Definitions page. If you encounter a barrier or are not receiving the assistance you need, contact us. We have no influence over the decision-making process, but we may be able to assist you in receiving the information and technical assistance your organization needs to compete on a level playing field.

Getting Started

“Touching Lives and Communities” Training Video Workshops

If you are new to the grant application process, or feel your organization may need further development, you are encouraged to view a series of video workshops available through the Department of Labor’s Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives on how to apply for funding, manage grants, and pursue private funding. For details about the video series, click here. The following topics are covered in the series:

• Capacity Building and Strategic Planning
• Corporation and Foundation Giving
• Board Development and Individual Giving
• Program Evaluation

NEW--Common mistakes to avoid when applying for Federal grants

Want to avoid some of the most common mistakes that are made in grant applications? Then read "Common Problems Found in Applications."

How to Write a Quality Grant Proposal

Want some help in writing better grant proposals? Then take a look at the Webcast "How to Write a Quality Grant Proposal" produced by The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education. The information presented will help you write a better proposal no matter what Federal department or agency you are interested in applying to.

Grant-Writing Resources

The following resources may assist you with the preparation of your grant application and proposal.

• Guidance from the White House:
  
  

  “Today, there are thousands of faith-based and community organizations across the country that receive Federal funds…. Despite this long-standing tradition, there are still a lot of questions surrounding faith-based organizations and their funding by government money….” This White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives brochure addresses many of those questions. (You may also wish to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.)

• Grant Learning Center from the Foundation Center
• Toolkit for grant writers
• Developing Quality Grant Proposals: A How-to Guide for Faith-Based and Community Organizations
• Help with Department of Education grant writing
• Help with Department of Labor grant writing

Helpful Census Information:

Some grant solicitations may ask applicants to supply data on the areas they want to serve if they were to receive funding (such as percentage of people living at or below the poverty line, number of single-parent families, number of people under the age of eighteen, etc.). In addition, some applicants may find it helpful to provide such information with their application to demonstrate need. But where can such information be readily found? Fortunately, the U.S. Census Bureau can help provide you with such data. For more information, please visit http://www.census.gov/main/www/access.html.

Accessing Resources for Community & Faith-Based Organizations

To support the President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention launched a national training and technical assistance effort directed at providing grants writing and capacity building to faith, community and small nonprofit organizations. Managed by the National Training and Technical Assistance Center, the Accessing Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations (ARC) Initiative:

1. Developed and implemented a training curriculum, Navigating the Federal Funding Process: Federal Grants Application Training, designed to instruct participants on how to apply for Federal funding;
2. Developed a Federal Funding Toolkit designed to identify grant opportunities at the Federal and State level, explore topics related to Federal funding, and provide information on program evaluation;
3. Developed a web-based Learning Community designed to provide opportunities for organizations to network, learn and share promising practices, and form partnerships with other nonprofit organizations.

ARC resources maybe obtained by visiting: http://arc.nttac.org/

Important Information

DUNS Numbers Required for All Grant Funding Applicants:

In order to improve the statistical reporting of federal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, the Office of Management and Budget has directed federal agencies to require all applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. All grantees, contractors and potential applicants are encouraged to obtain a DUNS number and to assure that an accurate DUNS number is included in their application or proposal.

Use of the DUNS number government-wide will provide a cost-effective means to identify entities receiving those awards and their business relationships. The identifier will be used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point of contact information. Thus, it is important that applicants verify the accuracy of their DUNS number.

Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711. Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement award from the federal government apart from any business or non-profit organization they may operate, and foreign entities are exempt from this requirement.

If your organization does not have a DUNS number, you should take steps to obtain a DUNS number in advance of the application deadline. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, you may not be able to apply for Federal grants or cooperative agreements after that time. Future potential applicants should also consider requesting a DUNS number now if there is any intention of applying for a federal grant in the future. Further information can be found in the Federal Register, located here.