Grant News

What Recent Executive Orders and the Review of Federal Financial Assistance Mean for You

**This is a comprehensive blog that covers the key developments, implications, and strategies for grant seekers navigating the landscape of federal financial assistance under the new Administration. Updates to this blog will continue to be made as the situation develops. Blog last updated on August 11, 2025, at 1:36 pm ET**

The federal grant landscape was upended early this year by the release of several Executive Orders and Memorandum M-25-13, a sweeping directive that temporarily halted financial assistance programs for a review process aligned with the new Presidential Administration’s policy priorities. While the Administration later rescinded some of these efforts with memorandum M-25-14, grant seekers across all sectors - including public agencies and nonprofits – still face a multitude of questions and uncertainty around the effect of the President’s Executive Orders on federal funding opportunities.

SUMMARY: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Public Programs is accepting applications for the Public Humanities Projects program. This program supports projects that bring the ideas and insights of the humanities to life through in-person exhibitions and historic site interpretations.

SUMMARY: There is still plenty of time to submit applications for the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. This discretionary grant program will provide awards that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port.

SUMMARY: The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program provides cost-share funding to support projects that foster economic growth, workforce development, community infrastructure, and business expansion in rural Ontario communities. This program aims to build strong, sustainable rural economies by addressing local challenges and creating new opportunities.

SUMMARY: This program supports shovel-ready clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects in Canada’s critical minerals sector, including site preparation, construction, rehabilitation, and upgrades, along with capacity-building and engagement activities that prioritize Indigenous and other impacted communities.

Overview
The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) is a cooperative agreement initiative led by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), within the Office of Preparedness. The program strengthens the health care delivery system's ability to save lives during emergencies that overwhelm routine health care and emergency response capabilities. As the primary federal funding source for health care system preparedness and response, HPP supports the development of Health Care Coalitions (HCCs) collaborative networks of health care, public health, and emergency management organizations. These public-private partnerships enhance coordination and readiness across communities. ASPR requires HPP recipients to prioritize investments in HCCs, establishing a strong foundation for national health care preparedness.

SUMMARY: The Sexual Assault Services – Community-based Services Program (SAS CSP) supports nonprofit organizations that aim to enhance access to services for all survivors by providing community-based services in culturally specific communities. Applicants must have documented organizational experience in the area of sexual assault intervention or partner with an organization having such expertise.

SUMMARY: The purpose of the Lead Hazard Reduction (LHR) Grant Program is to maximize the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting states, cities, counties/parishes, Native American Tribes or other units of local government in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in eligible privately-owned rental or owner-occupied housing populations. In addition, there is Healthy Homes Supplemental funding available that is intended to enhance the lead-based paint hazard control activities by comprehensively identifying and addressing other housing hazards that affect occupant health in homes with lead-based paint hazards being treated under the grant.

SUMMARY: The Sexual Assault Services – Community-based Services Program (SAS CSP) supports nonprofit organizations that aim to enhance access to services for all survivors by providing community-based services in culturally specific communities. Applicants must have documented organizational experience in the area of sexual assault intervention or partner with an organization having such expertise.

SUMMARY: This program is focused on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, including the preservation of Native American cultures, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses, and social and economic infrastructure in Native American communities.

By Joseph Phelan, Grants Development Consultant

The Department of Transportation administers many different grant opportunities across their 11 subagencies. Grants that help secure transit agencies and improve roads. Or purchase buses and enhance railroad safety. There are varying degrees of technology-friendly grant opportunities. One specific program, from DOT’s Federal Highway Administration, focuses on advanced technologies for travel to be safer, more efficient, and increase intermodal connectivity.

SUMMARY: Through funds from the American Relief Act, the Disaster Supplemental Grant Program will award investments in regions experiencing severe economic distress or other economic harm resulting from hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024. This program is administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

SUMMARY: From the Department of Homeland Security, this program is designed to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters regarding fire and fire-related hazards.

SUMMARY: The Legal Services for Veterans (LSV) program aims to increase access to legal services to eligible Veterans through the award of grant funds and by promoting Medical Legal Partnerships and VA-affiliated legal clinics throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

SUMMARY: The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) offers grants to projects that assist in the development, coordination, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community‐supported agriculture (CSA) programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer‐to‐consumer market opportunities.

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration offers two opportunities called Low or No Emission Grant Program and the Buses and Bus Facilities Program at the same time since each program has similar eligibility. Each program will fund the purchase or lease of buses as well as the construction, lease, rehabilitation, or purchase of bus-related facilities. The overall goal of each program is to improve the service and reliability of buses.

By Sam Rawdon, Grants Development Associate (K-12 Education)

With school districts facing tight budgets alongside an increased reliance on Internet connectivity for learning purposes, the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) E-Rate program has proven to be quite beneficial. E-Rate assists schools and libraries in purchasing affordable high-speed Internet access and telecommunications. This program, under the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has been utilized by nearly every K-12 school district in the United States throughout its 28-year history. In fact, with an annual funding cap of $4.94 billion, schools and libraries requested $3.2 billion in E-rate funding in Fiscal Year 2024 alone. The utilization of the E-rate program by K-12 schools, especially those in rural and high-poverty areas, has allowed these communities to afford quality Internet access, supply high-performance networks, and support the expansion of digital learning.

By Shannon Day, Senior Grants Development Consultant (Public Safety)

A Department of Justice memo released on February 5, 2025, indicates the department’s intention of withholding federal grant funding from so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions,” furthering demands put in place by an Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025.

There is no legal definition of a “sanctuary” jurisdiction, but unofficially, it is a state, county, city, or town with policies to protect undocumented immigrants. During the first Trump administration in 2016, the DOJ withheld Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funding from numerous jurisdictions, including New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Miami. Attorneys General from 20 states filed an appeal in 2018. It is important to note that while federal funds were tied up in various lawsuits, the Supreme Court never ruled on the legality of the Department of Justice’s actions during the first Trump term because the Biden administration overturned the policy in 2021, immediately releasing federal funds. However, lower courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of most sanctuary laws. Law enforcement agencies cannot hold a person in custody for “an unreasonable amount of time” (this is undefined in the Constitution, but most states and prosecutors define “reasonable” as 72 hours) without bringing charges against them or without a signed judicial warrant transferring custody to another jurisdiction. According to Onondaga County, New York Sheriff Toby Shelley, when asked if his department would comply with administrative warrants, “If we do things that are against the law, we will be sued, and that will cost the taxpayers…So it is important to understand the law.” (Hayes, 2025)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The agencies involved with this grant proposal will work collaboratively to increase law enforcement, prosecution, and community outreach resources to successfully reduce the illicit marijuana industry, dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking operations that are trafficking fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine throughout the county, and will support the victims of these industries through a variety of resources funded by this grant. This project involves collaboration of two law enforcement jurisdictions, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, a non-profit organization, and data analytics by California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.

By Amber Walker, Grants Development Associate (Healthcare & Human Services)

Hospitals and health systems of all sizes know that securing grant funding can be a crucial part of the ongoing growth of their organization. Healthcare needs are evolving, and securing financial support from foundations can help providers address those changing needs. Understanding the different funding avenues, the strategies needed to secure them, and the types of projects that attract funding can significantly improve the chances of receiving grant support.

Foundations are local, regional, or national in scope, often with different priorities, criteria, and grant award processes. Hospitals and healthcare systems seeking funding must carefully evaluate which foundations align with their goals, whether it is expanding direct services, investing in infrastructure, cyber security, medical research, or enhancing workforce development.

SUMMARY: The Hearst Foundations support well-established non-profit organizations that address important issues within the foundation's major areas of interest, which are: Education, Health, Culture, and Social Services.

SUMMARY: These programs are released together since there are overlapping eligibility and are implemented on the same timeline.

Eligible activities for Low or No Emission Grant Program include:

• Capital projects to purchase or lease zero-emission or low-emission transit buses; and acquire, construct, rehabilitate, and lease required supporting facilities such as recharging, refueling, and maintenance facilities.

Eligible activities for Low or No Emission Grant Program include:  

• Capital projects to purchase, lease, or rehabilitate buses and related equipment; and acquire, construct, lease, or rehabilitate bus-related facilities.

SUMMARY: The OVW Campus Program (Campus Program) encourages institutions of higher education to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus, develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving such crimes on campus, and develop and strengthen prevention education and awareness programs.

By Marc Smithers, Grants Development Associate (Higher Education)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has consistently been one of the largest sources of federal grant funds and serves as the global leader in health research funding. Of its $47.7 billion budget in the fiscal year 2023, $34.9 billion was awarded across 58,951 grants to 2,743 organizations for biomedical research. For grantseekers that are either new to federal biomedical agencies or are simply looking to expand their scope of funding streams, a basic understanding of how NIH grants are applied for and awarded is an important first step in considering whether to pursue funding through this essential federal grant maker.

SUMMARY: Provides funding for a single, costly, specialized modern scientific instrument for use by biomedical researchers at academic and research institutions. The instrument can be purchased for individual institutional usage or shared-use arrangements. The instrument must be used for advanced biomedical research and/or clinical treatments.

SUMMARY: The purpose of the SRSA program is to provide rural local educational agencies (LEAs) with financial assistance to fund initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement. These funds are considered entitlement funding.

By Dr. Liz Shay, Higher Education

Whether it is through conversations with one of our grants consultants, other grant-seeking efforts, or completely outside of the grants space, organizations often realize that they should consider collaborating with institutes of higher education. These partnerships can open additional avenues to pursue different types of projects and work towards your organization’s mission-driven goals in new ways. Grant makers often favor collaborative efforts as they are seen as having a larger impact on the money invested in the project.

Regardless of why you started considering collaborating with an institute of higher education, navigating these conversations can often seem intimidating or complex. This article is a guide to the basic information you need to feel confident in pursuing partnerships with institutions.

SUMMARY: This program is focused on helping students learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to be creators in the digital economy. Projects should explore innovative solutions to computer science and computational thinking education at all levels in the preK-12 education setting. These may be separate courses or integrated into broader science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational initiatives.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The College of Saint Scholastica’s National Center for CS Education partnered with Hermantown Community School, Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, St. Louise County Public Schools, and Duluth Public Schools for this project. The goal is to increase access to and participation in computer science education. Computer science pathways for this project include early experiences in elementary and middle school that will help students establish foundational computer science knowledge and skills as well as spark their interest in taking high school computer science electives. For schools supporting the homeland of seven tribes of Anishinaabeg, the project is developing the Ojibwe language for computer science concepts and practices and developing computer science lessons that include Ojibwe language and culture.

By Sandy Trowbridge, Grants Development Associate 

A standard grants lifecycle generally consists of a pre-award phase, award phase, and post-award phase. When navigating the pre-award phase (wherein you search for and apply for grant opportunities), it is helpful to keep a few key points in mind concerning the post-award phase (wherein you implement the project and report on progress). Doing so will both help in putting forth a strong grant application and ensuring that your organization will be able to effectively implement the grant if awarded.

By Sam Rawdon, Grants Development Associate (K-12 Education)

Alyssa's Law, named after Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the 17 victims of the tragic 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is a law passed in 2019 that requires all public schools in Florida to implement a panic alarm system linked to law enforcement. This system’s purpose is to immediately alert authorities in the event of an emergency, particularly during active shooter situations or other violent threats. The law is a critical part of a broader effort to enhance school safety and improve emergency response times. While Alyssa’s Law mandates the installation of panic alarms, its influence extends beyond this, sparking a national conversation about school safety and widely impacted funding for security measures in schools. It has shaped the allocation of school safety grants, providing financial support for a wide range of security enhancements designed to protect students, staff, and faculty.

SUMMARY: Provides funding to school districts, local law enforcement, and state and local governments to improve physical safety and security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based, holistic, and comprehensive school safety programs and technology.

By Joseph Phelan, Grants Development Consultant (State and Local Government)

Local governments have ample opportunities to receive funding for varying transportation-related projects. As federal competitive funding remains at a sort of standstill, now is as good a time as ever to focus on what type of funds states will provide for counties, municipalities, and cities.

Most states have competitive grant programs for transportation projects. They fund planning and capital projects and everything in between. It is usual for states to pass one-time funding opportunities to reflect a specific need, but there are certainly programs that routinely become available every year or every other year as certain states have biennial budgets. Some are created with both federal and state funds, which is why it is always important to know the exact source of funding for any grant that you wish to apply.

Examples of where states choose to focus on funds will differ, but the hallmarks mostly include sustainability, safety, Complete Streets, infrastructure, and accessibility. Sample programs that fit within each focus area will be explained below, although some of the programs will touch on several hallmarks.

SUMMARY: Almost $10 million is available to support local municipalities in developing Local Road Safety Plans, which identify and analyze problem areas and prioritize potential safety improvements.

SUMMARY: The Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program (Improving Criminal Justice Responses Program) is designed to encourage partnerships between state, local, and tribal governments, courts, victim service providers, coalitions and rape crisis centers, to ensure that sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are treated as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system and community-based victim service organizations. The Improving Criminal Justice Responses Program challenges the community to work collaboratively to identify problems and share ideas that will result in new responses to ensure victim safety and offender accountability.

SUMMARY: The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program supports projects that provide 6 to 24 months of transitional housing and support services for victims who are homeless or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance as a result of a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.

By Meghan Jacobsen, Grants Development Associate

Public safety agencies such as law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services are essential to any community. However, these agencies often face budget shortfalls that limit their ability to invest in new technologies, training, and other important initiatives. Many of these agencies also lack the workforce to dedicate time to applying to federal grants or to meet the post-award requirements. Others may lack grant experience and feel overwhelmed by the process of applying for federal funds. Both of these are great to dip your toes into grants through foundations. However, even for departments with seasoned grants experience, foundations are an excellent option to fund various needs and projects.

SUMMARY: The objective of the Gary Sinise Foundation First Responder Outreach Grant is to support First Responder Departments by providing funding for essential equipment and training.  It aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), and search and rescue (SAR) organizations, ensuring they have the necessary tools and training to respond effectively to emergencies and protect communities.

Tribal communities across the United States face unique challenges related to public safety and law enforcement. These challenges stem from a combination of geographical isolation, underfunded services, and complex jurisdictional issues that often leave Native American communities vulnerable.

One critical solution to these problems is increased public safety grant funding for tribes. Grants can provide tribes with the resources necessary to build or strengthen their public safety infrastructure. Whether it is funding for law enforcement agencies, emergency services, or crime prevention programs, grants can allow tribes to strengthen their capacity to protect their communities.

SUMMARY: This program provides funds to tribal governments to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking in their communities. 

By Christina Fernandes, Grants Development Consultant (Education)

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) was signed into law on July 31, 2018, reauthorizing the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV). One of the most significant updates in its reauthorization was the introduction of the comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA). The local needs assessment must be completed by each eligible recipient of federal Perkins funds, which includes individual school districts, school districts that are part of a consortium, and community colleges. This requirement was put in place to help institutions refine their Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings and identify areas where targeted improvements can be made to better serve their students and align with local economic needs.The CLNA is the foundation of the local Perkins application for both secondary and post-secondary institutions.

The assessment must be completed or updated every two years and requires a great deal of planning and coordination. The process may seem overwhelming, but by breaking it down into manageable steps, institutions can make their assessment both meaningful and efficient. While CLNA processes differ by state, there are commonalities that are required at the federal level. This article will include tips on those common requirements, such as data collection, stakeholder consultation, and program alignment.

SUMMARY: The purpose of Perkins V is to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs and programs of study.

SUMMARY: The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) offers the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) which is designed to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs and the purchase and installation of certain allowable technologies.

By Dr. Liz Shay, Senior Grants Development Consultant (Higher Education)

Whether it is through conversations with one of our grants consultants, other grant-seeking efforts, or completely outside of the grants space, organizations often realize that they should consider collaborating with institutes of higher education. These partnerships can open additional avenues to pursue different types of projects and work towards your organization’s mission-driven goals in new ways. Grant makers often favor collaborative efforts as they are seen as having a larger impact on the money invested in the project.

Regardless of why you started considering collaborating with an institute of higher education, navigating these conversations can often seem intimidating or complex. This article is a guide to the basic information you need to feel confident in pursuing partnerships with institutions.

The Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, modeled after the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot, will evaluate the effectiveness of using Universal Service Funding to support cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data to determine whether to fund them permanently.  

By Amanda Day, Grants Development Consultant- State and Local Government

Transportation is a critical component of modern life, connecting individuals to jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services. Efficient roadways and public transportation services affect access to jobs, education, and reliable healthcare. However, for many tribal communities, poor transportation infrastructure presents a barrier to social and economic opportunities.

By Ashley Schultz, Manager of Research and Consultation

In the flurried process of crafting a compelling proposal and constructing a comprehensive budget, it is important to keep track of program costs that may extend beyond your funder’s program period.

These expenses, often referred to as ongoing costs, are paid long after the initial startup costs for new programs are incurred. If, for example, your grant budget includes the purchase of new computers for program staff, your organization may be on the hook for software subscriptions on those devices – like word processing programs, email access, and cybersecurity protection – once the grant period is concluded. Ongoing costs can quickly eclipse the original grant award if you need to factor in wages for new personnel, rent for new spaces, and repair/maintenance on new equipment.

By Christina Fernandez, Grants Development Consultant (K-12 Education)

Evidence-based interventions are key to making informed decisions when implementing new programming in schools. These strategies are critical for effectively improving student outcomes and are required for securing state and federal grants. Evidence requirements set by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) require educators to search for high-quality research and intervention studies to ensure that states, districts, and schools identify programs, practices, and products that can effectively improve student success. ESSA uses a tiered system approach to classify interventions based on the strength of evidence supporting their impact—ranging from strong to promising to demonstrate a rationale. One way to find this level of information is through the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), established by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

 The WWC is an online database that reviews and summarizes education research to identify previously implemented, well-designed interventions so educators can replicate and expand on these evidence-based practices.  It also provides resources and tools on topics such as academics, behavior, and postsecondary readiness.

This article will explore what evidence-based practices are, the types of resources available on the WWC, and tips on determining which practice is best suited for your grant-fundable project.

The EIR program is designed to generate and validate solutions to persistent educational challenges by creating, developing, or implementing evidence-based solutions to improve student achievement for high-need students. The central design element of the EIR program is its multi-tier structure that links the amount of funding that an applicant may receive to the quality of the evidence supporting the efficacy of the proposed project, with the expectation that projects that build this evidence will advance through EIR’s grant tiers. Early-phase grants are not intended to simply implement established practices in additional locations or address needs unique to one context. The goal is to determine whether and in what ways relatively newer practices can improve student achievement and attainment for highneed students. Projects must demonstrate a rationale.

By Amber Walker, Grants Development Associate (Healthcare & Human Services)

As 2024 has ended, the state of hospital cybersecurity has come into focus. One thing is clear, hospitals are at an increased risk of cyber security attacks and attacks are getting more prevalent each year. Due to the nature of hospitals being technologyreliant, complex organizations with very sensitive personal data, they are especially vulnerable. The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights HIPAA Breach Reporting Tool website lists 677 major health data breaches in 2024.  These security breaches not only affected more than 182.4 million people in 2024, but they were also the cause of long-reaching IT outages across healthcare systems. Looking ahead, threats and security breaches are not expected to slow down. Experts are looking at trends in health service delivery to identify new avenues for ransomware attacks, data theft, and destabilization. The rise of telehealth services and remote patient monitoring increases the vulnerability and potential exposure of sensitive patient data. As threats to hospitals and healthcare organizations increase, stakeholders from all areas recognize the severity and the longterm implications of the situations. From federal and state provisions, grant funding, and corporate programs, things are coming together to protect patients and hospitals. 

The purpose of the Delta Health Systems Implementation Program (DSIP) is to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas by implementing projects that will improve the financial sustainability of rural healthcare organizations and allow for increased access to care in rural communities. These projects focus on financial and operational improvement, quality improvement, telehealth, and workforce development in rural healthcare organizations in the rural counties and parishes of the Delta region. 

Provides funding to federally recognized Indian tribes to provide public transportation services on and around Indian reservations or tribal land in rural areas. Awardees may use the funding for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses for public transit projects that meet the growing needs of rural tribal communities. 

By Joseph Phelan, Grants Development Consultant (Broadband, Transportation, & Utilities)

By the end of 2024, every entity had its State Digital Equity Capacity Grant approved by the NTIA, paving the way for funds to funnel to reach populations throughout the United States.

As a refresher, included within the IIJA was the Digital Equity Act, which provided $2.75 billion across three grant programs for various digital equity and inclusion activities. Two of the programs went directly to the 56 entities that make up the US. The first provided allocations (totaling $60.6 million) to entities to create their digital equity plans. States and territories then submitted intentions for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant by the end of May 2024. NTIA then approved on a rolling basis—beginning last summer with Nevada, and ending with Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, North Dakota, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on December 19, 2024. This first round of capacity grants provided roughly $768 million in funding to states and territories. In addition to the planning and capacity grants, the NTIA offered competitive grants for any eligible entity through the Digital Equity Competitive Grant. 

By Dr. Liz Shay, Senior Grants Development Consultant

Organizations pursuing grant funding often find budgets to be one of the most complex parts of an application. This is especially true for federal grant programs. These are also the programs that most typically have indirect costs.

In the following sections, we will break down what indirect costs are and how they work. By the end of the article, you will be able to confidently approach future budgets that require indirect costs.

By Meghan Jacobsen, Grants Development Associate

Securing grants is no small task. If you have gone through the process, you know the relief and satisfaction of completing a proposal after weeks—or even months—of effort. As you approach the finish line, one especially important step remains: the editing and review process. This step is crucial because small adjustments can transform your proposal from mediocre to competitive. While it might feel overwhelming after all your hard work, following these steps will make the process smoother and more manageable.

Dr. Marc Smithers, Grants Development Associate (Higher Education)

After hundreds of conversations with grantseekers at various institutions of higher education throughout the country, one of the tools I see most often overlooked can also be one of the most powerful: state funding. This consequence is likely attributable to the organizational structures present at most colleges and universities. If an institution has a Sponsored Programs Office that is distinct from the advancement or fundraising arm of an institution, the bulk of these staff members' time is devoted to securing large faculty research or student learning grants that are most likely funded by well-financed federal programs. If an institution has dedicated staff to grant writing housed in the fundraising office, their work often overlaps most frequently with the work of advancement professionals like relationship-building with foundations and other large individual donors in the philanthropic world. As a result of these structures that often work very effectively to bring in federal and foundation dollars, state grants are often unintentionally overlooked, even though they could serve as a vital and substantial portion of an institution's funding plans. Here are some reasons to consider state grants more seriously as a mechanism for institutional funding and steps institutions should take to begin including them in their grantseeking strategy.

The program aims to train job seekers in industrial occupations such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, and professional, scientific, and technical services occupations that support renewable energy, transportation, and broadband infrastructure sectors. Awardees may use the funding for staffing, equipment, supplies, planning, and software expenses for career pathway programs that meet the growing needs of local employers.

By Shannon Day, Senior Grants Development Consultant (Public Safety)

In the nearly five years I have worked with law enforcement agencies in their grant funding pursuits, I’ve often heard, "I'd love our department to apply for more grants, but we just don't have the time." The departments I work with most often are the little guys because small departments don't have the luxury of having a dedicated grant manager on staff, and certainly not an entire grants department. Let's be honest: when considering the priorities for first responders, grants don't often rank high on the list, in part because of their typically complicated processes.

Similar feedback has been heard across all sectors resulting in the bipartisan Streamlining Federal Grants Act of 2023 (H.R 5934). Introduced to Congress in October 2023, this act is currently awaiting a vote from the 119^th Congress. The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proactively begun simplifying the grant process, including streamlining and standardizing application guidance and simplifying grants.gov.

Provides federally recognized Tribes and Tribal consortia an opportunity to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization issues and to apply for funding.  Applicants may apply for funding under the Purpose Area(s) that best addresses Tribes’ concerns related to public safety, criminal and juvenile justice, substance use-related crime, and access to treatment and recovery support, including Tribal healing to wellness courts; and the needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

By Sandy Trowbridge, Grants Development Associate (Education)

What are Form 990s?

Tax-exempt organizations are required to file an informational tax form, known as Form 990, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year. A completed Form 990 allows the IRS to confirm that an organization continues to qualify for its tax-exempt status by detailing the organization’s governance, financial details, and activities for the year in question.

Why Do Form 990s Matter to Grantseekers?

Private foundations are tax-exempt organizations and thus are required to file Form 990s (specifically, Form 990-PF). Given that these forms are such a wealth of information, this is great news for grantseekers.

As a grantseeker, you may find yourself turning to foundation websites to verify alignment before application. But sometimes scouring a funder's website and reading their grant guidelines does not provide you with enough information to determine whether an opportunity is worth your time and effort to apply. Or, in some cases, you may find that a foundation of interest does not even have a website for you to review. This is where reviewing a foundation’s Form 990 is incredibly helpful to grantseekers looking to identify best-fit grant opportunities.

One of the most disappointing moments in the life of a grant researcher is reading about grant awards for an opportunity that you never heard about but would have been a perfect fit for an organization's needs and the funding cycle is now closed. Even though it is impossible to stay on top of all of the opportunities available to organizations due to the sheer number of grantmaking organizations at the federal, state, and foundation levels, it is difficult for grant writers and researchers to ignore the sense that perhaps there is a better way to stay informed on these issues so that future opportunities do not slip through the cracks. To ease some of that frustration, here are four steps that those who work with grants can take to work smarter and not only stay updated on grant opportunities but also help build long-term funding pipelines by staying current on funding trends.

Congressionally directed spending (also known as community project funding or earmarks) are line items in the United States federal budget specifically requested by individual legislators. There was a 10-year moratorium on these appropriations, but that ran out in 2021. Proponents of congressionally directed spending argue that it creates a more transparent appropriation process and enables local jurisdictions to more directly request and receive funds for their specific needs. Others believe that congressionally directed spending is wasteful or corrupt. Regardless of how you feel about this type of funding, they are a part of the current federal funding landscape and should be considered carefully when looking for support for your project.

In this article, we will explore the fiscal year 2024 congressionally directed spending landscape. We will evaluate where the funds are going and what types of projects they are predominantly funding. We will also reflect on where we are in the fiscal year 2025 funding congressionally directed spending process.

Special education funding in the United States continues to be a complex, evolving landscape shaped by decades of legislation, advocacy, and shifting priorities. Beginning with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students with disabilities were guaranteed a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This law prohibited discrimination based on disability and laid the groundwork for future legislation. By ensuring that students with disabilities had access to education and accommodations, the act marked a turning point in the public school system's approach to special education.

Document digitization is the process of transforming physical documents and materials into digital formats, which can then be managed and accessed electronically. This process can be achieved through manual methods, such as scanning documents, or through automated software solutions, and other technologies to convert physical items into digital form. Digitization enhances efficiency by allowing easy storage, retrieval, and sharing. This leads to improved organization and reduces physical storage needs. In addition, digitization improves data security, accessibility, and collaboration. Imagine having all critical documents readily available in an organized and structured environment, being able to access and share them in seconds. While digitization projects can be expensive, grant funding can assist organizations such as libraries, museums, colleges, and government agencies in collecting and digitizing records and collections.

The global push toward sustainable economic growth and environmental protection has led countries to introduce robust financial policies and programs. Two significant initiatives are Canada's Growth Fund (CGF) and the United States' Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Both aim to boost economic development and address climate change, but they do so in different ways and with distinct scopes.

Last month marked the start of the U.S. federal Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) new set of rules directing the majority of federal grantmaking to nonprofits; education institutions; state, local, or tribal government agencies; and others. These rules, colloquially known as the Uniform Guidance, were first established in December 2013. Originally a consolidation of several federal rulemaking circulars, the Uniform Guidance’s policies have been periodically adjusted over the last 20 years. The most recent of these updates took effect on October 1, 2024.

For several years, schools and libraries have been the target of cyber threats that compromise their networks and data. The Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) labels these organizations as “target-rich, cyber poor,” and do not always have the necessary resources to implement proper online defenses. Attacks ranging from stealing personal information to causing humiliation and distress online to individuals and organizations have unfortunately become more commonplace and have been on the rise. In fact, according to Forbes Magazine, there was a 72% increase in data breaches in 2023.

For many nonprofit organizations, most of their revenue is dedicated to funding the services that support their mission-driven work. Additionally, donors often prefer to contribute directly to these programs, leaving limited resources for other critical expenses, such as physical and cybersecurity. To address this gap, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) was established in 2004, specifically targeting nonprofit organizations at higher risk of domestic or foreign attacks due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission. These organizations may include places of worship, faith-based charities, educational and medical institutions, or any other nonprofit facing increased threats due to their beliefs or purpose.

When browsing through Grants.gov, you find a grant perfectly aligned with what your organization is trying to accomplish. Say you work in a university's criminal justice program and want to research police practices. You find a seemingly perfect grant, but as you read the eligibility…" Only applicants that received an official invitation letter from NIJ are able and eligible to apply." This "invitation-only" status is a common frustration for grant seekers. So, how do you crack that elusive list and get your foot in the door?

A major trend in healthcare funding is establishing equity in access to services. This is being realized through service expansions to medically underserved and rural areas across the country. Federal entities, such as the Center for Disease Control and Health Resources Services Administration, the State Offices of Rural Health, and an increasing number of Private and Corporate Foundations are making commitments to support rural health. The rural population is a particular focus for many grant opportunities because of its vulnerability and potential lack of resources, including an increasing number of rural hospital closures. Rural communities have special considerations like high rates of poverty, high rates of maternal and infant mortality, high rates of opioid use and rates of death from substance misuse, healthcare insurance status, and overall access to health services that need to be accommodated. Funders are not only focusing on the symptoms but also the root causes of health disparities. Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that influence and affect health outcomes. Things like access to education, healthy food, education, housing, and other outside forces shape how individuals receive care.

Budget justifications (sometimes referred to as budget narratives) are a key component of standard grant applications. Most grant applications will also include a cover page​, executive summary​, needs statement​, project narrative​, itemized budget​, assorted appendices, and other supporting documents​. These application components will vary slightly across funders.​ For example, for the budget portion of an application, some funders may request a complex budget spreadsheet to be accompanied by a detailed budget justification while others may ask for a simple one-page outline of your planned activities and projected total expenses. Some funders limit the budget justification length to a specified number of pages, whereas many other funders will not place a page limit on this section. Some funders may list specific budget categories to be used, while others will leave line-item organization up to your discretion.​ As such, it is important to pay close attention to the guidelines of the specific funder and solicitation that you are working on and follow those instructions exactly. ​What follows is some general advice to keep in mind when tackling the budget justification portion of your grant application, regardless of which funder you are applying to. ​

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular topic right now. AI tools have the potential to help organizations manage and analyze massive amounts of data to assist services and decision-making. The Stanford 2024 Artificial Intelligence Index (https://aiindex.stanford.edu/report/) notes that 55% of organizations now use AI in at least one business unit or function. The report also states that AI enables workers to complete tasks with higher quality and faster completion times. The Booz Allen Hamiton 2023 Velocity report (https://www.boozallen.com/insights/velocity.html) found that two-thirds of federal technology leaders believe AI will largely impact how missions are executed over the next several years.

All these findings suggest that AI will be a critical component of public sector and non-profit operations. Many entities are already considering the implementation of AI tools. However, high costs can be a roadblock for organizations eager to pursue these types of projects. Grant funding is a potential approach to help public sector and non-profit organizations with AI tool initiatives.

Generally speaking, clean energy is regarded as more environmentally friendly when compared to traditional fossil fuel resources as it typically leads to lower levels of air and water pollution than combustible fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum oil. Renewable sources like wind, water, and sunlight generate power without emitting harmful carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change. This, in turn, mitigates various environmental and social issues such as droughts, wildfires, flooding, poverty, health risks, and species loss. And while renewable and nonrenewable energy sources require land for infrastructure, renewable energy systems often have a smaller footprint than traditional fossil fuels. For example, solar panels can be built on existing structures, and wind turbines are suitable for agricultural land without affecting crop placement.

Access to high-speed internet has become a necessary part of everyday life. For example, education, employment (job duties and hiring), banking, and even some healthcare, are now done online. However, there are still many communities and individuals who lack access to high-speed internet. As a result, the federal government has prioritized increasing access across the country by allocating $1.44 billion for the Digital Equity Capacity program. At this stage, all states have finalized their digital equity plans and the program has opened for all states and territories to apply for funding. As this is a pass-through program, states apply for funding and then will sub-award the funds they receive from the federal government through their own grant programs. It has been a long road thus far but we anticipate some states will begin to open their own grant programs in the fall or winter of 2024, allowing local organizations to apply for these funds.

As a result of the rising number of violent incidents at K-12 schools over the last decade, schools have dedicated significant time and resources to developing ways to keep their students, faculty, and staff safe. There are a couple of different approaches education institutions take while creating and implementing an overarching school safety plan. Some institutions have focused on providing staff and students with training on what to do in the event of an incident, while others have begun developing systems for reporting suspicious or threatening behaviors before an incident happens. At the end of the day, the question all institutions must answer is - what components should a school-wide plan include to keep everyone inside (and outside) our schools safe? While there is no one-size-fits-all plan that will work for all, there are many different elements to include in your comprehensive plan, based on the needs of your institution.

As the deadline for the final round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding approaches, schools nationwide are bracing for a significant financial shift. With over $200 billion in COVID Relief Funding for public and charter school districts and over $5 billion for private schools, these funds have been instrumental in helping educational institutions navigate the pandemic's challenges. The last day to obligate these funds is September 30, 2024, meaning no new contracts can be initiated, and schools can no longer commit their funds to new projects. After this date, schools will have an additional 120 days, OR until January 28, 2025, to spend down or liquidate their allocations. There is also an option for an extension of up to 14 months beyond the120 days, though this extension will only be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Department. While this additional time is not guaranteed, it does offer some relief and flexibility for districts to support their ongoing recovery and operational needs. Any unspent funds will revert to the federal government, leaving schools to rely on their standard annual budgets and seek external funding sources.

Read on to learn: how schools have utilized COVID relief funds, about alternative funding sources, and how to plan for the future and prevent a “financial cliff.”

An estimated 60 million people, nearly 1 in 5 Americans, live in a rural area. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, these rural areas are seeing increasing shortages in the healthcare workforce. To alleviate the burden healthcare workforce shortages have on rural communities and the hospital systems that serve them, governments and private associations have prioritized financial interventions and incentives.

Although the concept of recording law enforcement interactions is not new – police departments began using cumbersome vehicle- and helmet-mounted cameras in the 1960s (Seaskate, Inc., 1998) – the use of body-worn cameras in the United States took off after the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of police-citizen interactions. The lack of video evidence from the incident fueled public demands for greater transparency and accountability. This moment proved to be a tipping point for Body-worn Cameras (BWC), which led to the U.S. Department of Justice's creation of the Body-worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (BWC PIP).

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) continues to approve final plans under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This process began in late 2021 when the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law. 56 states and territories have been allocated $42.45 billion to expand internet access through planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption.

Time is an important consideration for those working on grant proposals, particularly for those new to grantseeking.

How much time does it take to apply for a grant? When do grant application windows open and how long do we have before the deadline? When will we get the money that we have been awarded?

The unfortunate answer to each of these questions is: it depends. Timelines vary considerably from funder to funder, and particularly between the federal, state, and foundation levels of grantmaking. Though there are no hard and fast answers to these questions generally, there are some common timeframe characteristics for federal grants that you as a grantseeker should know to help you prepare a maximally competitive application and allow your organization to set realistic expectations for the federal grantseeking process.

It is every grant manager’s worst nightmare: your supervisor asks you to submit a proposal to a grant program with a deadline just days away. While most writers prefer to have the lengthiest runway possible to prepare a full proposal, that does not always happen. Regardless of how last-minute proposals sometimes make their way to your plate. The following tips will help you avoid a meltdown and keep things on track.

In the area of diversifying healthcare workforce development, many multi-pronged grant funding opportunities have been developed. The Department of Health and Human Services is leading the way. Many federal and private foundation opportunities explicitly fund programs to increase a workforce that is diverse and inclusive. In addition to those, many more opportunities include diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) as a funding priority, a focus area, or given special consideration when making award decisions. These programs are just a small fraction of a grants landscape that has identified our healthcare workforce inclusivity as a top funding priority. 

For institutions of higher education, the National Science Foundation is a large source of federal funding, providing a quarter of the federal government’s budgetary support for colleges and universities. Many colleges and universities, K-12 schools, and other research institutions have not explored the plethora of programs offered by the NSF and may not even know where to begin to search for NSF opportunities.

According to the Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), cyber-attacks on school districts increased by 323% in 2022. When surveyed as to the cause of this drastic increase in cyber threats, 81% of public schools cited a lack of funding for network security solutions, making K-12 one of the most vulnerable sectors to cyber-attacks. While programs like the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) have seen increased funding and allow for investment in cybersecurity technology, grants with this focus are generally few and far between. Luckily, this is where the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding can truly help.

For the past several years, institutes of higher education have been seeing a decline in student enrollment. The National Center for Education Statistics projects that undergraduate enrollment will decline by 9% between 2021 and 2031, continuing a trend that was also present in the previous decade (https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98). Diversifying where income is coming from can help many institutions continue to provide their offerings. Although it is not a possibility for every institution, thinking about transitioning your organization from an education-focused school to a more research-intensive entity can open additional opportunities. For example, research grant funding that goes to faculty researchers also typically includes an indirect cost component that is used to support facilities and administration expenses for the institution to provide necessary overhead for the researchers to conduct their work, thereby enabling your organization to support that work. We have seen many schools working towards this goal by building research capabilities.

The Renew America’s School Program represents an investment in clean energy. This program is funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The BIL was designed to modernize and upgrade American infrastructure, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure stronger access to economic, environmental, and other benefits for disadvantaged communities. Through this BIL, $500 million was allocated to the Renew America’s Schools Program to promote clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools. According to the DOE, each year, public schools alone spend more than $8 billion on energy costs, exceeding their combined annual budget for computers and textbooks. By prioritizing energy improvements in schools, LEAs have the opportunity to reduce their second highest operational cost, enabling them to leverage the resulting savings towards future facility upkeep and educational initiatives.  

As American workers increasingly use digital platforms, and depend on mobile devices, exposure to various cybersecurity risks has become a major threat. Cyber criminals can capitalize on security vulnerabilities to obtain personal information and data from state, local, and tribal governments, public safety agencies, K-12 schools, Institutes of Higher Education, and healthcare organizations. This can result in increased instances of financial fraud, unauthorized access to systems, and identity theft. Adopting cybersecurity technologies and providing cybersecurity training for the U.S. workforce is essential in combating hackers, preventing the need for ransom payments, preventing data theft, and reducing the threat of system disruptions or outages. Cybersecurity involves employing technology, methods, and safety protocols to counter and safeguard against various cyber threats such as phishing, malware, ransomware, and other forms of cyberattacks. As threat actors and cybercriminals evolve, the technologies to combat them must evolve as well.

Funders identify who may apply for their grants based on factors such as organization type, operational focus, geographic location, organization size, and mission alignment. Determining whether your organization is eligible to receive a grant is key to not wasting time and money compiling an application that will not even be considered. While terms like nonprofit, tax-exempt, and 501(c)(3) may seem interchangeable when reviewing grant eligibility statements, they have key differences that are important to understand when effectively assessing your organization’s grant eligibility.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) in August 2022 to maintain and invest in critical generation facilities, grid resilience, and improving and expanding transmission and distribution systems to provide reliable and affordable electricity. GDO directly stems from the Biden Administration’s focus on reducing emissions by at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, reaching 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, and creating a zero-emissions economy by 2050. Under this office, there are three specific entities responsible for funding mechanisms designed to help the United States reach its goals. Generation facilities can take advantage of various credit programs to help strengthen electricity markets at the wholesale and distribution level; the Transmission Division coordinates necessary plans, financing, and facilitation to drive essential transmission investment; and lastly, there is the Grid Modernization Division.

In the wake of 9/11, the vulnerability of America's infrastructure became clear. Often symbolic targets or serving at-risk populations, nonprofit organizations lacked the resources to implement proper security measures. Recognizing this need, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) began lobbying Congress for support in 2001. Their years of work paid off in 2004 with the establishment of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

The recent increase in jobs in the U.S., coupled with the increased need for skilled workers across sectors like technology, healthcare, construction, and various trades, underscores the critical role of workforce development programs. These programs are vital in equipping the next generation of workers to meet these emerging employment opportunities.

Latin America is witnessing a rise in women's entrepreneurship as more women become more independent by taking the reins of their destinies and venturing into the business world. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Latin America and the Caribbean, the average women's entrepreneurship rate in the region was 27.9%. Despite facing unique challenges, such as gender biases, women in Latin America are breaking barriers and transforming industries. Women entrepreneurs in Latin America are involved in several types of businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and social enterprises. They are active in diverse sectors such as retail, services, education, healthcare, technology, and agriculture. 

In the world of nonprofit organizations, securing funding is often a crucial part of conducting the mission and initiative of supporting communities. While there are various avenues for fundraising, building strong relationships with foundations is a vital component of the grantseeking process. Foundations exist to support social causes, and establishing meaningful connections with them can lead to successful long-term partnerships. If your organization is new to foundation grants, you may be wondering where to start. Here are a few tips to create lasting and meaningful partnerships with foundations, thus enabling your organization to flourish.

Following years of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States continues to see workforce shortages across the healthcare services industry. This trend was anticipated prior to 2020, however, the pandemic accelerated the rate at which physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals have left and continue to leave the field. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States is projected to face a workforce shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nearly 195,400 nursing positions will be vacant and openings for home health aides and other personal health aide workers will increase by 37% by the year 2028. 

Data serves as a powerful lens through which educators and administrators gain insights into student performance, learning patterns, and overall educational effectiveness. From traditional classrooms to online platforms, institutions are increasingly relying on data to make informed decisions on how to enhance curriculum and provide targeted learning experiences for students. Data can be collected in many ways such as surveys, assessment scores, focus groups, and more depending on the type of project being implemented. In this article, I will be exploring the multifaceted role of data in education and dive into how educational institutions can harness this powerful tool for successful grant seeking.

Ethical considerations around plagiarism and intellectual copywrite aside, if you are considering outsourcing your grant writing efforts to AI, we suggest caution. There are limits to what even the most innovative AI tool can produce on your behalf. However, to appreciate the need for this advice, it may help to first understand how text generative AI tools work.

For those new to the world of grantseeking, the amount of information available can be daunting. Between the complexity of various applications, the numerous types of funders and types of projects that you can apply for, and the announcements of funding opportunities spread out among thousands of departments and their unique websites among all levels of government, individuals seeking grant funding can become overwhelmed. It can be a Herculean effort to manage all aspects of the grant application process, and if it can be avoided, it is one that should not be a one-person show. While there are many examples of individuals seeking grants, writing and submitting the application themselves, and being awarded funding, it is always better to apply for grant funding as a team. One of the best things you can do when starting your grantseeking journey is to build a team that will work together to achieve your funding goals.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), is historic legislation providing substantial amounts of funding towards a variety of infrastructure projects. Much of this funding goes to areas like transportation and clean energy, as well as training in emerging infrastructure-related fields, however, $65 billion is going to broadband programs.

This funding was provided to the Department of Commerce and is being managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). It has been 2.5 years since the enactment of the IIJA legislation so it is important to review where we are in the process of implementing these broadband-related initiatives and what next steps your organization should consider. In the following sections, we will cover the basics of the four relevant umbrella programs and their current status, from most to least implemented.

Among the major initiatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safey Strategy to eliminate roadway deaths continues to be Safe Streets and Roads for All. So far, $1.7 billion has been allocated to communities in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. There remains $2.3 billion as the DOT gears up for another round of funding with the application window expected to open in February.

Not every grant opportunity is as straight forward as Safe Streets and Roads for All with the sole purpose to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Applicants can apply for two types of grants: planning and demonstration or implementation grants.

The purpose of the State Digital Equity Grant Program is to promote the achievement of digital equity, support digital inclusion activities, and build capacity for efforts by States relating to the adoption of broadband by residents of those States. Subgrants will be made in support of the State's Digital Equity Plan and digital inclusion activities in the State generally.

The purpose of SS4A grants is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plan development and refinement and implementation focused on all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micromobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. The program provides funding to develop the tools to help strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives and is designed to meet the needs of diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities that differ dramatically in size, location, and experience administering Federal funding. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants:

• Planning and Demonstration Grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants are used to develop, complete, or supplement a comprehensive safety action plan, as well as carry out demonstration activities that inform an Action Plan.
• Implementation Grants: Implementation Grants are used to implement strategies or projects that are consistent with an existing Action Plan and may also bundle funding requests for supplemental planning and demonstration activities that inform an Action Plan

The Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program) encourages institutions of higher education to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus, develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving such crimes on campus, and develop and strengthen prevention education and awareness programs.

The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is a key element of the new Federal Tourism Growth
Strategy, which builds on Canada’s inherent strengths and unique qualities while using a whole-of-government approach to realize the full potential of the tourism industry. The program will support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses
and not-for-profit organizations in developing local, community-level tourism products and
experiences to help more domestic and international visitors discover all that Canada has to
offer. The TGP will fund projects that provide added value to existing activities in the tourism
industry and focus on business and economic growth. Indigenous tourism is a priority under
the TGP, and approximately 15% of TGP funding will support Indigenous-led tourism initiatives.

To attract visitors and see the number of tourists increase to pre-COVID levels, the Canadian government has decided to act. One of the initiatives implemented is the Tourism Growth Program. This ambitious program aims to boost the dynamism of the country’s tourism sector and launch its potential as a key driver of economic prosperity and job creation. Canada’s regional development agencies[1] will deliver this program as they have the mandate to promote regional economic development across all regions of Canada.

[1] https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canadian-tourism-sector/en/tourism-growth-program

At a time when environmental awareness and sustainable practices are at the forefront, and as Canada strives to meet its greenhouse gas reduction target outlined in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan[1], the Government of Canada has embarked on a revolutionary journey towards a greener, more sustainable maritime future. The Green Shipping Corridor Program[2], from Transport Canada, aims to revolutionize the country's marine industry. The Fund reflects a commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of marine transportation while promoting economic growth.

While each grant proposal will have its own set of specific guidelines and required supporting documents, grant writers can save a lot of time (and spare some headaches) by maintaining a ‘Frequently Used’ file of the most requested supporting documents and materials. 

Receiving the news of a rejected grant application that you spent so much time crafting, can be disheartening, leaving you with a sense of disappointment and uncertainty about the future of your project without this funding. Unfortunately, many who are denied funding simply accept the fate of their application as the end of the road.

If there’s one thing to remember, it is that competitive grant programs are well, competitive! Your submission may tick all of the boxes that the funder requires, and have a highly developed proposal, but still get rejected.

On November 6, 2021, the U.S. Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA is sometimes referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal” because it was supported by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. A total of $1.2 trillion in funding was made available for nearly 400 new and existing programs. This legislation supports various infrastructure-related programs and projects like transportation, clean water, broadband, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, among other initiatives. Included in the IIJA are grants aimed at improving the cybersecurity posture of state, local, and tribal governments.

The federal government plays a crucial role in supporting elementary and secondary education in the United States through various funding programs. The largest source of federal education programs is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. ESSA provides two types of funding- formula and competitive. Formula funds are administered annually by State Education Agencies (SEA) to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) based on a unique Title formula. Title formula funding is meant to supplement state funding and help close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.

Among all of the title programs that are housed within the ESSA, this article will focus on Title I Part A, Title II Part A, and Title IV Part A, as these programs are significant sources of financial assistance for elementary and secondary schools. Each of these titles serves a distinct purpose and targets specific areas of need within the education system. We will explore the differences between these titles, how schools are utilizing these funds, and ways to reimagine these funds to include technology that improves educational outcomes.

Telehealth has been around for years, but COVID-19 necessitated the use of telehealth services. Before the pandemic, telehealth was not readily accepted by patients, doctors, administrators, insurance companies, and healthcare regulators. With the advancement of technology, a shortage of healthcare providers, practical experience, demonstrated benefits, and increasing acceptance of telehealth by patients and providers, telehealth and its benefits are here to stay.

Now is the time of year for education entities to evaluate their goals and plans for the upcoming year. Think about your plans to support your students, researchers, and the broader community, and look for alignment with any of the priorities described above. Although this is by no means an exhaustive list of the kinds of grant funding that will be available in the coming months, these trends will give you a sense of the types of programs that are likely to be most popular and where you may see absolute or competitive preference priorities for existing annual programs. Start to strategize for where you would like to focus your efforts in 2024 and get started!

Libraries are a vital part of every community. They provide access to information, education, and cultural enrichment. However, many libraries don’t always have the budget to expand their programming to best serve their patrons. Fortunately, there are many funding opportunities available for libraries through grants.

When the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law went into effect, the administration placed an emphasis on energy. Since then, various funding has been introduced to help utility companies and organizations in the pursuit of the net-zero carbon economy by 2050 goal. One specific program, the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, otherwise known as RMUC, received $250 million to disperse to various entities.

School safety has been a primary concern for school districts over the past several years. In the wake of tragic events such as the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, K-12 school districts have made it a priority to improve the physical security of their school buildings. However, funding was not always readily available until the Stop School Violence Act of 2018. An important result of this act was the STOP School Violence Prevention Program, or SVPP, a federal grant program that provides K-12 school districts, state and local governments, and Tribes the financial means to improve the physical security of their schools through evidence-based school safety programs and technology. In fiscal year 2023, up to $73 million was available for potential applicants, with future funding available through 2028.

Congressional earmarks are a controversial topic. Some people believe they are a valuable tool for directing funding for important local priorities, while others think they are a source of corruption, waste, and political gamesmanship.

Critics of earmarks, sometimes conflated with "pork barrel" spending, argue that they can be abused by Members of Congress to steer funding to their own districts, even if the projects are not the most important or deserving. They also argue that earmarks can be a source of corruption, as Members of Congress may be pressured to support earmarks in exchange for campaign donations or other favors.

In determining if your organization wants to take advantage of directed funding, weighing the pros and cons is essential. It is also important to hold Members of Congress accountable for the earmarks they request and ensure that the funds are used for the intended purpose.

The Department of Energy will establish the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program to provide grants and technical assistance to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible entities to protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats. The objectives of the program are:

• to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies for electric utility systems
• to increase the participation of eligible entities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs

This three-phase competition will challenge eligible utilities to identify risks and implement solutions to harden their systems against threats and improve their overall cybersecurity posture.

Computer Science for All is a bold initiative to empower all American students from kindergarten through high school to learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to be creators in the digital economy. A key goal of this program is to provide all U.S. students the opportunity to participate in computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) education in their schools at the preK-12 levels. CT refers to the thought processes involved in formulating problems and their solutions in such a way that the solutions can be effectively carried out by an information-processing agent (usually a computer).

The purpose of the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program is to provide rural local educational agencies (LEAs) with financial assistance to fund initiatives aimed at improving student academic achievement.

Mexico is currently undergoing a significant transformation, with federal programs leading the way for modernized infrastructure and the implementation of new technologies across multiple sectors. With significant investments in roads, railways, ports, telecommunications, and urban development, Mexican society stands to benefit greatly while unlocking significant economic potential.

In the realm of public healthcare in Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS) is of great significance. Established in 1988, SUS serves as a cornerstone in ensuring that all Brazilians have unfettered access to quality medical care, free of charge. However, SUS does not operate in isolation; it relies on a vital partner, the National Health Fund (FNS).

Canada has long been committed to environmental sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In line with these goals, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) launched the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) in 2000 to help municipalities in the development of thriving communities that benefit people and the environment. Over the past two decades, the GMF has provided funding and support to municipalities across the country, driving innovative projects that address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

In Mexico, innovation, science, and technology are managed and directed by an entity that we know today as the National Council of Humanities, Science, and Technologies (CONAHCYT). Its mission is to promote and strengthen Mexico’s scientific development and technological modernization through training high-level human resources, promoting and supporting specific research projects, and disseminating scientific and technical information for which it manages this year, a budget of MXN$ 35,637,178,522.

Every year in the United States, citizens cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice in federal, state, and local elections. Voters rely on the security of election infrastructure to ensure that they can cast their votes safely and that all votes will be counted fairly. Unfortunately, physical threats against election workers have increased in the past several years, and more must be done to protect these individuals. Making voting facilities safe is important for workers and members of the public who visit to cast their ballots. In the past, states and local governments have implemented procedures and tools to keep the voting process safe and secure. In addition to physical safety measures like door locks, security cameras, and more, investments have also been made in election IT infrastructure to ensure that election information is safe from breaches and cyber threats. This includes investments in the modernization of voting equipment and election-related computer systems. To make further improvements in physical security and cybersecurity, state and local governments have the opportunity to apply for grant funding through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 

On June 26, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced widely anticipated state allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The BEAD program is the $42.45 billion broadband grant program created out of bipartisan infrastructure law that was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021. 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL) has brought unprecedented funding to support broadband initiatives. To go along with that funding, there are also huge investments being made in digital equity efforts. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is distributing this funding through two main programs: the State Digital Equity Grant Program and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (for more information on this program. Both programs will support digital equity projects that involve a wide range of organizations. With expected deadlines starting in the next several months and continuing over the next few years, now is an exciting time for your organization to participate in these efforts!

Many grants- federal, state, and foundation, operate on cycles. Federal and state grants may be one-time, annual, or multi-year grants. Foundations may have one or more application periods per year. Grants may open for short periods or during busy times, leaving applicants with little time to plan, prepare, write, and review the proposal. Learning the funding cycle and application periods for grants of interest is necessary to enable you to apply promptly and budget the time needed to plan and apply when the grant is open.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act include many opportunities for energy-related grant initiatives. In fact, it is overwhelming to consider the sheer volume of programs made available over the past couple of years and will continue to be created as more information is known. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the federal grantmaker tasked with administering a number of these research and development, demonstration, and deployment programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is another popular grantmaker for energy-specific programs. These funds are available to nonprofits, all forms of government agencies, private businesses, and even individuals.

As for the near future, there are three specific programs worth diving a little deeper into, as they either have firm deadlines or are expected to open in the coming weeks. The first comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and more specifically through the USDA.

Grant-seeking can be an extremely competitive process for K-12 schools, especially if they limit themselves to grants available from their State’s Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education. To increase the possibilities of success, now is the perfect time to explore various federal grant opportunities outside the Department of Education that could supplement their funding. In this article, I will highlight some federal agencies and grant programs schools can take advantage of from other departments and agencies according to the type of project schools are hoping to fund.

Technology is used across the criminal justice spectrum to streamline processes, ensure compliance, and protect people and their data. Gone are the days of hand-written police reports faxed to the District Attorney’s office.

We all know how important technology is, but equipment ages, technology advances, and sometimes we don’t know how to fund it. Federal and state grantmakers provide funding to help those working within the criminal justice system keep ahead of the curve or at least keep abreast with it.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Program provides states and units of local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs. JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, strategic planning, research and evaluation (including forensics), data collection, training, personnel, equipment, forensic laboratories, supplies, contractual support, and criminal justice information systems that will improve or enhance areas such as: law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, and crime victim and witness programs.

The purpose of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program is to award grants to support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption of broadband among underserved populations. Eligible activities include:

•     Developing and implementing digital inclusion activities that benefit covered populations.
•     Facilitating the adoption of broadband by underserved populations to provide educational and employment opportunities to those populations.
•     Implementing training programs for underserved populations that cover basic, advanced, and applied skills, or other workforce development programs.
•     To make available equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware, software, or digital network technology for broadband services to underserved populations at low or no cost.
•     To construct, upgrade, expand, or operate new or existing public access computing centers for covered populations through community anchor institutions.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 provides payments to states for activities to improve the administration of elections for Federal office, including enhancing election technology and making election security improvements. Consistent with the requirements of HAVA, states may use this funding to

•     Replace voting equipment that only records a voter’s intent electronically with equipment that utilizes a voter-verified paper record.
•     Implement a post-election audit system that provides a high level of confidence in the accuracy of the final vote tally.
•     Upgrade election  related computer systems to address cyber vulnerabilities identified through Department of Homeland Security, or similar scans or assessments of, existing election systems.
•     Facilitate cybersecurity training for the state chief election official’s office and local election officials.
•     Implement established cybersecurity best practices for election systems; and
•     Fund other activities that will improve the security of elections for the Federal office, including physical security services and social media threat monitoring.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made a $500 million investment to improve Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities. DOE aims to facilitate substantial additional investment, prioritize schools with high needs, minimize administrative burden, and build enduring capacity in local educational agencies (LEAs) and the states to maximize impact equitably and efficiently.
Through this Renew America’s Schools Program, eligible entities are encouraged to consider projects that enable replicable and scalable impacts, create innovative, sustaining partnerships, leverage funding and economies of scale, target disadvantaged communities, improve student, teacher, and occupant health, enrich learning and growth, target schools that serve as community assets (e.g., neighborhood cooling centers or disaster recovery shelters), can be completed quickly, and are crafted thoughtfully within the context of public-school facilities (e.g., procurement restraints, construction windows, etc.).

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program is designed to provide access to education, training, and healthcare resources for rural Americans. The DLT program provides financial assistance to encourage and improve telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas using telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced technologies that students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents can use. Grants may fund telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies that extend educational and medical applications into rural areas. Grants are intended to benefit end users in rural areas, who are often not in the same location as the educational or health care service source.

Funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) helps eligible entities address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by—or on behalf of—state, local, and territorial (SLLT) governments. The Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires grant recipients to develop a Cybersecurity Plan, establish a Cybersecurity Planning Committee to support development of the Plan, and identify projects to implement utilizing SLCGP funding. To support these efforts, recipients are highly encouraged to prioritize the following activities, all of which are statutorily required as a condition of receiving a grant:

•     Developing the Cybersecurity Plan.
•     Implementing or revising the Cybersecurity Plan.
•     Paying expenses directly relating to the administration of the grant, which cannot exceed 5% of the amount of the grant award.
•     Assisting with allowed activities that address imminent cybersecurity threats confirmed by DHS; and 
•     Other appropriate activities as noted in the funding notice.

The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (STOP School Violence Act of 2018) gave the COPS Office authority to provide awards to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs.
Anticipated outcomes of SVPP awards include improved information sharing with local law enforcement; increased interaction and improved communications between law enforcement and school officials; reduced notification times to law enforcement; improved response time to threats and events; accurate identification of danger and follow-up; increased knowledge of and use of community policing principles; and increased school safety and sustainability planning efforts. In FY2023, funding will be available for the following school safety measures:

•     Acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification to law enforcement during an emergency.
•     Coordination with local law enforcement.
•     Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures.
•     Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent school violence.
•     Any other measure that the COPS Office Director determines may provide a significant security improvement.

Tenders in Mexico are processes that allow the State to cover its operational needs and comply with the transparency standards requested by the international community. Government acquisitions, leases, services, and public works are carried out through a process in which government agencies hire suppliers to meet the goals and objectives of the budgetary programs.

Well-crafted and detailed responses to selection criteria are critical to successful grants applications. These criteria play a pivotal role in determining an application's merit, with varying weights assigned to reflect their significance. It is important to distinguish selection criteria from brief project descriptions or administrative details, as they form the heart of the application, showcasing project alignment to funding priorities, organisational capacity to manage the project, and the impact the activity will have on the relevant communities.

Nervous? Don’t be. You don’t need to be an academic writer or have years of experience with grants to craft compelling, well-written responses. You just need to know your organisation and the project you’re proposing super well.

The Department of Justice Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) was released on Friday, June 30th.

The JAG program is the primary grant funding provider for an array of initiatives across the criminal justice spectrum. Areas supported include law enforcement, courts and corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, victim and witness support, and technology improvement programs.

Esports are hugely popular; current projections show that there will soon be 30 million monthly esports viewers. The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) currently lists nearly 200 colleges and universities with varsity esports programs, and many more schools have club teams or curricular esports programs. K-12 organizations are increasingly getting involved with esports as well. 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act introduced many new grant programs when passed in late 2021. These initiatives ranged from broadband and electric charging to major clean energy and water infrastructure. A handful of these funding projects are classified as smart city adjacent, but one specific program, Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation, or SMART, is the definition of a smart city grant.

The past few years have presented several challenges for K-12 school districts across the country. Many districts reported lower test scores, mental health challenges, attendance issues, and technological shortcomings because of the disruption to learning caused by COVID-19. These challenges present complex issues that demand careful attention, but many teachers appropriately feel the school day is just too short, and school leaders find it difficult to parse out one issue from another and address them accordingly.

State grants for higher education are an important source of funding for colleges and universities to provide financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary education. In addition to grants for students, state grant programs may also provide institutions with funding to support programs, initiatives, and research. In this article, we will explore the state grants available for higher education institutions to apply for.

Institutes of higher education have a wide variety of grant programs available to support efforts on campus. Many different federal, state, and foundation funding sources focus either specifically on higher education or fund higher education projects as part of their larger grant funding priorities. Broadly speaking, this funding for higher education predominantly falls within three categories: student learning outcomes, workforce development, and faculty research. These major types of funding programs have remained relatively consistent over the last few decades. However, within these categories, specific funding priorities tend to shift due to political and cultural priorities. Read on for a deep dive into five of the current major funding trends in higher education.

Have you been searching high and low for funding for your latest program or project? What about looking into foundation grants! With over 76,000 foundations in the United States and an estimated $47 billion given away each year, the money you need may be right under your nose.

Investments in federal grants have increased considerably over the past several years, particularly with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Knowing how to navigate the current grant funding landscape can be a challenge, and understanding how grant funds are awarded can help organizations when they decide to apply for grant funding. There are four main types of grant funding at the federal level: competitive grants, pass-through grants, formula grants, and continuation grants.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to application from all institutions of higher education and associated organizations.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible lead applicants are Nonprofit Organizations, Labor Unions, Labor-Management Organizations, and Worker Organizations, Education/Training Provider(s), Workforce Development Entities, Economic Development Agencies, and Native American Tribal Governments.

ELIGIBILITY: Awards are made to State Education Agencies (SEAs). Local education agencies (LEAs) and nonprofit organizations may apply to states for subgrants.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are: (A) A State; (B) a political subdivision of a State; (C) a Tribal government; (D) a public transit agency or authority; (E) a public toll authority; (F) a metropolitan planning organization; and (G) a group of 2 or more eligible entities described.

Applying for grants to support infrastructure development and innovative solutions to meet the needs of communities can be a challenging process with strict requirements and intense competition. To improve your chances of success, you must create an outstanding application that showcases your proposal's strengths while adhering to the application guidelines. The following tips provide valuable insight into preparing an effective grant application that stands out.

Eligible applicants are:

• political subdivisions of the State;
• commercial broadband service providers;
• non-commercial broadband service providers; and
• partnerships between political subdivisions, commercial broadband service providers, noncommercial broadband service providers or any combination thereof that are also not otherwise considered disqualified from participation in the program.

Cybercrimes against local governments, public safety agencies, and schools are becoming more frequent and destructive. As a result, these attacks can lead to monetary loss and the theft of critical data. Criminals are targeting large cities, county governments, and even small towns in rural areas of the country. In response to the increase in these attacks, the Federal government is encouraging local leaders to take action by utilizing federal and state grant funds to prepare for and prevent ransomware attacks and hackers.

The Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) PRICE has a goal to preserve and revitalize manufactured housing. Administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these funds will be disbursed as competitive grants to various entities with grantees having to provide at least a 50 percent match.

The two primary federal funding agencies for public safety initiatives are the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. A review of the FY 2023 Federal Budget provides a glimpse into what these agencies will prioritize in the coming year.

With the passing of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, the US Department of Education was allocated approximately 83.5 billion: an increase of $3.4 billion from FY22. Similarly, to FY22, Congress opted to allocate additional monies to many well-known programs housed under the Department of Education, instead of creating new funding programs.

School-aged children and gaming have become ubiquitous; casual and competitive gaming is a part of nearly every school-aged child’s daily activity. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project, about 99% of boys and 94% of girls play digital games about 7-10 hours per week.[1] These figures are not a surprise for anyone that regularly interacts with children and educators have long-ago incorporated games within their classrooms. Many schools across the country have set up after-school gaming clubs, integrated games like Minecraft or Roblox into their STEM coursework, or have developed Esports teams that compete in interscholastic leagues. At a time when student engagement and enrollment are down, many educational institutions are turning to game-based learning (GBL) to re-connect with students and equip them with the skills needed to tackle 21^st century challenges.

[1] Homer, Kinzer, and Plass, “Foundations of Game Based Learning,” 258.

Access to the internet is critical for so many daily activities (such as reading this article, for instance). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recognizes the importance of broadband for Americans and provides significant funding to implement solutions. Through the Internet for All initiative, this funding is being distributed to states, territories, and other eligible recipients through various grant programs. Even before IIJA, federal agencies such as the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture were and continue to fund broadband grant programs. States have also started to make their own contributions to broadband efforts. Now is a great time to be pursuing grant funding for your broadband projects.

Approximately 12.3 million students across the US are enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE programs vary by institution, but the overarching purpose is to provide students with the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in an emerging career field. The Department of Education established a list of 16 career fields, referred to as career clusters, representing up to 79 different career pathways. These different pathways allow students to explore a career cluster of interest while also learning employability skills that complement their academic studies. CTE evolved from vocational education, which focused on an isolated elective with specific job training associated, to be more academically rigorous and integrated within other programs of study in comprehensive high schools, technical centers, and community colleges. Read on for a description of the common elements that make CTE programs successful, a high level overview of the funding landscape, and to learn how CTE programs function within different institutional settings.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include:

• Incorporated organizations
• Federally recognized Tribes
• State and local units of government
• Any other legal entity, including cooperatives, private corporations, or limited liability companies organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.

ELIGIBILITY: The eligible lead applicant must be a community college that is a public institution of higher education as defined in Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act and whose most common degree awarded is an associate degree.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are federally recognized Indian Tribes (or a consortium of Indian Tribes).

With grant applications being detailed documents, even the most experienced grant professionals must meticulously review each application thoroughly to ensure they are addressing everything the funder wants. As a grant writer, you are typically working on multiple grants at the same time, which only adds to the need for increased attention to detail. It can be overwhelming to compile and write all the necessary sections of a grant application so we, the team at Grants Office, suggest you set aside some time early in your project timeline to organize your materials. In the last issue of FUNDED, we discussed common documents you will likely need for most grant applications. In this issue, we are focusing on the common elements of grant applications and best practices on collecting and organizing that information. Preparing your material ahead of time will allow you and your organization to focus more time on the overall project and highlighting funder specific details, increasing your chances of being awarded funding.

It is important to note that every grant application is unique. Some of the below elements may be titled something different in an application or may not be included at all. This list serves as a starting point on your organizational journey.

Grant applications can be overwhelming to even the most experienced grants professionals. They often require a laundry list of items, requiring interaction with multiple individuals across your organization. Because of this, many nonprofits find themselves scrambling at the last minute to collect all documentation, limiting their ability to apply any finishing touches to their grant applications. The best way to combat that last minute scramble is by taking initiative and incorporate organizational time. A little organization early on can help your next application process be the smoothest yet.

Collaboration can be key to the success of your grant application. Detailing how the efforts and expertise of others contributes to the delivery of your project reduces duplicative efforts, improves overall outcomes and develops important relationships within the community of involved organisations. In order to formalise and demonstrate the validity of these partnerships within a grant application, a Letter of Support is often mandatory or highly encouraged.

Part of a comprehensive grants strategy for any organisation is knowing what to do with a grant when you win. Applications can be a gruelling process, and even after submission, it is often months before you’ll hear an outcome. So, before you start applying for grants en masse, it is critical that your organisation is set up to handle grants agreements; to understand what they are, what you’re committing to and how to curate healthy relationships with your funders!

In this article, we’ll look closely at what funding agreements look like, what’s involved in the execution process, common reporting requirements and how to submit a timely and satisfactory acquittal. First off…

Partnerships play a huge role in the success of a grant application. They can provide new perspectives, resources, and a competitive edge. Below, you’ll find answers to a series of questions about partnerships and how to navigate them.

Picture this…

You’ve just submitted a grant application and you feel you made a compelling argument for your project and have a good chance for being funded. You wait patiently to hear back and when you open your email one morning you see a message from the funder. You open it with a smile on your face but as you begin to read it your smile slowly turns to a frown. “Thank you for your application, however we are sorry to inform you that your project was not selected for funding this round.” As you skim through the rest of the email you think “What happened? Our application was great!” and then your mind moves to “Well what do we do now….”

No matter what type of public sector or nonprofit entity you are, foundation grants are a unique opportunity for you to receive funding support. According to Cause IQ there are over 132,000 private foundations within the United States.  As that number continues to grow, nonprofits have an opportunity to diversify their funding and create new partnerships between themselves and foundation funders.