What You Need To Know About USA Grant Application Programs

USA Grant Application Programs or funding programs are also known as ‘free money is one of the ways in which federal government, philanthropists, or financial problem-solving NGOs fund ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grant is a fund given by an entity, unlike loans, grants are not to be paid back. It is usually for public benefit.

We have different types of grant programs available in the united states, and I’II be sharing more knowledge about them below.

Types Of USA Grant Application Programs

• Competitive Grant (Based on merits): Competitive Grant is a grant that involves the process of proposal selection which is based on the evaluation of the reviewer or funder. It is purely based on merits.
• Formula Grant (based on predetermined award): Formula Grant are grants given to pre-determined recipients. This is a situation where the funder has allocated the fund for a specific set of people, which is the major ingredient in checking for the eligibility of getting a grant.

Example: Byrne Memorial Fund

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) makes formula grants to states from the Byrne Memorial Fund.  Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants may also be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders.

• Continuation Grant (Renewal grant): Continuation Grant as its name sounds, offers current fund recipients the option of renewing grants.

Example: Renowned philanthropist who gives grants to NGOs or community health sector to eliminate or reduce the spread of diseases in a community year in, year out.

• Pass-through Grant (Issued by a federal agency): This grant is issued by the federal government to the state for further distribution to the local government.

However, the most important aspect of grant programs is their application. One of the key ingredients that help in securing the grant is paying close attention to the given requirements which will help you discover if you are actually eligible for the grant.

USA Grant Application Programs Eligibility

It’s amazing to know how important a grant is for everyone.  In this part of the world, most people believe that grants are for startups or non-profit organizations which may be true but individuals are also eligible to apply for grants.

In the U.S there are certain organizations that are generally eligible to apply for grants or funding programs, which are;

• Government Organization.
• Educational Organization.
• Public Housing Organization.
• Non-profit Organization.
• For-profit Organization.
• Small Business Organization.
• Individual Applicants.
• Foreign Applicants.

Every grant has a purpose, a target audience, and the requirements used in the screening and selection of applicants. Once you’re interested in a grant, there are a few steps you should take before you organize your team to apply.

USA Grant Application Programs Stages

• Pre-award phase: The pre-award phase represents the beginning of the grant lifecycle, which includes announcing opportunities, submitting applications, and reviewing applications.
• Award phase: After the application review process has been completed, the Award Phase begins. The final award decisions rest solely in the hands of the federal agency staff with fiduciary responsibility and legal authority to enter binding agreements. Federal staff review and make award recommendations based on the programmatic and financial reviews of the applications. These recommendations are reviewed by a series of levels in the agencies to ensure high-quality, fair, and unbiased decisions.
• Post-award phase: The post-award phase comprises a significant amount of work over the duration of the award dates, which includes implementing the grant, reporting progress, and completing the closeout requirements. The federal agency that makes the award to you is also there to assist and ensure you or your organization complies with the grant terms and conditions. Your job is to faithfully and diligently carry out the grant program.

Things To Know Before Applying For USA Grant Application Programs

Determining the eligibility should be at the top of your list, as well as any funding restrictions, the total workload required, etc. At the end of the day, you want to know whether the grant is attainable and worth the investment from all angles.

• Is your agency or your project eligible for the grant: The number one priority to determine when considering a grant is whether both your agency and your project are eligible. First, is the funding available in your geographic area? Is there a sufficient amount of the desired target (population) available in your area to ensure adequate participation in the project? Is there a need requirement—for example, is it required that your target area be within a certain poverty level or crime rate? Importantly, you must ensure that your project matches the funder’s priorities and that you can adequately describe how your project will assist the funder in achieving its goals
• Is the grant funding restricted: Determine the range of funding available from this source or funder and whether the amount needed for your project falls within the minimum and maximum available. Find out if any match is required, and if so, whether in-kind contributions are eligible as a match.
• How much work is required and when is the grant application due: Review the grant requirements to see what documentation must be submitted. Determine which attachments are required and whether or not those are readily available. For instance, if the funder requires it, do you have audited financial statements, job descriptions, resumes, organizational charts, etc. available? If the grant is to be submitted online, does the site require registration several days in advance? Does the funder require partners to be involved and that you provide documentation, such as Memorandums of Understanding? Finally, how much reporting is required throughout and after the project—will you be able to collect and report the data as required?

All of these aspects above must be considered before deciding whether your organization has the capacity (including time available) to apply.

How To Write USA Grant Proposal Application Programs

Kindly take note that you’re writing to convince the founder as to why you should be awarded the grant. Your proposal must be well stated and show a lot of professionalism in your writing. Below are the content of a grant or fund proposal:

• Cover Letter
• Executive Summary
• Need Statement
• Goals and Objectives
• Methods, Strategies or Program Design
• Evaluation Section
• Other Funding or Sustainability
• Information About Your Organization
• Project Budget

Having known all of these information, if effectively used will give you an edge in getting a grant or funds, even in the global world.