how a government grant works
government grants aren t just bestowed they must be applied for 6 getting a government grant is an extremely competitive process the paperwork is complex and applicants must describe how the awarded funds will benefit the local community or the public at large crafting a convincing proposal is so challenging that applicants often hire professional help some freelance writers specialize in writing grant proposals grants from the federal government are authorized and appropriated through bills passed by congress and signed by the president 7 grant authority varies among agencies for example the small business administration sba may distribute grants to nonprofit organizations in many of its counseling and training programs receiving a government grantgovernment grants have no hidden costs or fees they are outright gifts not loans however because government grants are funded by tax dollars they include stringent compliance and reporting measures to ensure the money is well spent 5after receiving a check the grantee must submit detailed reports accounting for how the money is disbursed if the funds are received in stages these reports must continue during the grant period any accomplishments or failures also must be documented and submitted to the sponsoring agency according to various deadlines 5receiving a government grant is a prestigious event a sign an individual or nonprofit organization has a significant positive impact on a community or in a field of study or industrial sector often it puts a project on the donor map attracting other providers of funding both nonprofit and profit it also might lend the grantee some influence with or attention from the sponsoring agency applying for a government grantgrants gov is a free online source for researching and applying for more than 1 000 federal grant programs with access to approximately 500 billion in awards annually 2 a grant proposal writer may register by completing a standard business profile on behalf of an individual a nonprofit organization a research institution or a similar entity the writer also submits an authorized organization representative application supplies an e business point of contact and completes a detailed application the writer then has access to finding federal grant opportunities applying for and tracking grants and receiving grant email alerts webinar schedules and tips from grantors 8government grants come with no strings and that includes the application process so if you are asked to submit a fee to apply or to learn more about a grant there s a good chance it is a scam 9example of a government grantthe performing arts is one popular category for many government agencies awarding grants for example in early 2019 the u s embassy s public affairs section in moscow sought grant applications to identify and select american artists and performers to bring to russia for short term programs in the fields of music dance theater film and television acting and culinary arts 10eligible applicants could include nonprofits small businesses and public or private universities grantees could receive up to 650 000 to produce performances in russia the goals of the grant included strengthening people to people ties between the u s and russia and showcasing american values by presenting the full range of american creativity and innovation 11