The government gives out a list of government grants through its network of federal agencies. This list is given to all state and federal organisations for free. How do all these lists get made? Congress gives grants from the federal government to different government agencies for big projects. Anyone, from the President to the states or the people who live there, can suggest a project. Most of the time, the projects are for the good of the community. Congress makes the final decision about how much money goes where and how much money goes where.
In the Catalog for Federal Domestic Assistance, you can find a free list of government grants that have been approved by Congress (CFDA). This is a good site for people who know how to talk about grants and who want to get a lot of money from the government for free. Otherwise, it can be hard to understand for people who don't know much about grants, especially if they don't know how to apply for them. Before looking at the CFDA website, it might be a good idea to learn a bit more about how the process works. This list can be used by both people and businesses. Each item on the list tells you how the money will be spent, how to apply for it, and how it will be reviewed and given out.
A free list is just a way for you to see what's out there. It doesn't mean that you can get a free grant because of it. The process of applying for a grant is not easy. It takes a lot of planning and skills that aren't common. In fact, people who want to get grants have staff members who watch over the whole application process to make sure it goes smoothly.
There are also free lists of federal grants available from other government agencies. Here are some websites where free lists can be found. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Education Grants and Contracts Information, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Stopping Violence Against Women, and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Health and Human Services (HHS) has a list of more than 300 programmes.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which helps people who have been hurt by natural disasters like earthquakes, storms, or fires, also has free lists. The Department of Agriculture is in charge of Food and Nutrition Services. It has lists about the Food Stamps programme. The Social Security Administration offers free lists of grants in four areas: survivor's benefits, disability benefits, retirement benefits, and supplemental security income. The Veteran's Administration is a good place to ask about benefits for school. Students should go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You could also go to Grantsnet, Non-Profit Gateway, GovBenefits (http://www.govbenefits.gov/), and The Foundation Center.
