Have a great idea and no money to drive it? The funding is out there, and
with a little effort, it can be yours.
Do Your Homework
Before you go after the money, outline the mission of your project. Most
funding sources will require a detailed outline of the problem your project
addresses, how you plan to address it and what resources will be needed.
Check out these sites for grantwriting tips:
Government Sources
For one-stop government grant shopping, head to the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance. This robust
guide outlines more than 1,300 grant, loan, scholarship, training and
insurance programs offered by the federal government. Popular government
grants include:
- Department of Education Grants
You'll find grant announcements, applications and forecasts. A Guide to
U.S. Department of Education Programs is browsable by topic or by who may
apply.
- Environmental Protection Agency Grants
Grants administered by the EPA address air pollution, hazardous waste,
water pollution, wetlands protection and more.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
Offers individual and public assistance programs designed to help rebuild
towns after a disaster. Read the disaster-specific assistance programs to learn how FEMA can help disaster victims.
- HUD Community Development Block Grants
Provides eligible metropolitan cities and urban counties with annual grants to
revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic
opportunities, and improve community facilities and services, principally
to benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
- National Institutes of Health
Supports the research of non-federal scientists in universities, medical
schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and
abroad.
Foundations
Many breakthroughs have been made with the help of foundation grants.
Great Grants
showcases some of the most influential grants. Learn how the
Carnegie Corporation of New York gave Children's Television Workshop a
2-year grant to launch Sesame Street, the Dorr Foundation of New York put
white lines on the outside of highways and the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation demonstrated the success of the emergency 911 system.
Yours could be next! The following resources will open the door to
foundation funding opportunities:
Offline Help
While online resources abound, not all foundations have found their way to
the Internet. For offline opportunities, look for the following reference books
at your public library:
- The Foundation Directory
Provides information on the top 10,000 foundations by total giving. Together these foundations donate over $19 billion a year. Offers addresses, phone numbers, types of support, application information and contacts.
- The Foundation Directory, Part 2
Contains the same information as Part 1 for 10,000 smaller foundations.
- The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
A print version of the online guide mentioned above, the CFDA describes
federal government programs that give money. Includes information on the
grant programs, eligibility, application and award processes, addresses and
contacts.
--- L.Z.
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