A Guide to Funding Resources

The Federal government is the largest of all the grantmakers. However, much of the federal grant budget moves to the states through formula and block grants. From there it is up to the states to decide how to use the money.   The federal government administers several types of grants designed to accomplish different purposes, such as conducting scientific research, demonstrating a particular theory, or delivering services to a specific population. Examples of these grants include:

• research grants to support investigations aimed at the discovery of facts, revision of accepted theories, or application of new or revised theories;
• demonstration grants to demonstrate or establish the feasibility of a particular theory or approach;
• project grants to support individual projects in accordance with legislation that gives the funding agency discretion in selecting the project, grantees, and amount of award;
• block grants to provide states with funding for a particular purpose; and
• formula grants to provide funding to specified grantees on the basis of a specific formula, using indicators such as per capita income, mortality, or morbidity rates, outlined in legislation or regulations.

Unique Entity ID. All organizations applying for a federal grants or cooperative agreements must have a Unique Entity ID, formerly called a DUNS number.  Visit SAM.gov for more information.

In addition to federal funding, state and local agencies also administer grants. Monies used to support these programs are obtained primarily through state and local tax revenues and funds received from the federal government (e.g., block and formula grants).  

Private funding can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as foundations, corporations, voluntary agencies and community groups. For the most part, philanthropic organizations fund programs which either address their individual interests (e.g., farm safety) or benefit a particular group (e.g., company employees and their dependents). Examples of major types of philanthropic organizations include:

• private foundations which receive income from an individual, family or group of individuals. The funding priorities of private foundations are usually based on the personal philosophies of the founding members.
• corporate foundations which receive contributions from a profit-making entity, such as a corporation.
• community foundations involved in grant giving within a specific community or region.
• direct giving programs philanthropic arms of corporations which donate goods and services for charitable causes.
• voluntary agencies private organizations which support charitable programs that are consistent with their overall mission. The American Red Cross, for example, provides printed materials and staff consultation for health projects in various communities.
• community groups local organizations which focus on supporting projects within their communities. Examples of these organizations include churches, Junior Leagues, and civic organizations.

1. Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships [ed.gov]. U.S. Department of Education.
2. Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives (Partnership Center) [hhs.gov]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
3. Faith and Neighborhood Partnerships [usaid.gov]. U.S. Agency for International Development.
4. Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships [usda.gov]. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
5. Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships [hud.gov]. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
6. Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships [americorps.gov]. AmeriCorps.
7. Faith-Based and Community Initiatives [justice.gov]. U.S. Department of Justice.