Finding Federal Government Grants – Using the CFDA

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a government-wide compendium of Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and nonfinancial assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the Federal government.

In 1984 the Office of Management and Budget transferred responsibility for Federal domestic assistance program information to the General Services Administration. This transfer was mandated by the Federal Program Information Act and included requirements for distribution of the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

The GSA now maintains the Federal assistance information database from which program information is obtained. The Office of Management and Budget serves as an intermediary agent between the Federal agencies and GSA, thus providing oversight to the necessary collection of Federal domestic assistance program data.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is the basic reference manual providing information on all Federal domestic activities. Its most critical function is allowing users to identify programs of particular interest. The CFDA also is a tremendous resource for basic information on Federal assistance programs. Additionally, the Catalog endeavors to improve communications and enhance coordination between State and Local entities and the Federal government.

The Catalog provides the user with access to programs administered by Federal departments and agencies in a single publication. Program information is cross referenced by functional classification (Functional Index), subject (Subject Index), applicant (Applicant Index), deadline(s) for program application submission (Deadlines Index), and authorizing legislation (Authorization Index). These are valuable resource tools that, if used carefully, can make it easier to identify specific areas of program interest more efficiently.

Since 1977 the GSA has published printed editions of the CFDA. Legislation required free dissemination of the Catalog to specific recipients. In 2003 the General Services Administration distributed close to 10,000 copies of the CFDA.

New rulings now gives the General Services Administration discretion in what form to produce and disseminate the CFDA. The General Services Administration is endeavoring to move to a more paper free environment and toward that end now maintains and distributes the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance through the CFDA Website. The General Services Administration no longer prints and distributes free copies of the Catalog.

Michael has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He maintains a site on federal grant money and is president of Information Organizers, LLC.

Doing Business with Health And Human Services When You’re a Small Business

In 1953 the Department of Health, Education and Welfare became a cabinet level department in the United States. In 1979 the Department of Education Organization Act split HEW into the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the health, safety and well-being of residents of the United States. This mandate also extends internationally for cross-border health and safety issues.

HHS administers over 300 programs with a budget of over $737 billion. The Department’s mission includes a wide range of human issues, including substance abuse, Medicare and Medicaid, childrens health, health disparities, disease prevention and health promotion. It is the largest grant-making department within the Federal Government.

In 1979, HHS first established the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. Its intent was to implement and develop outreach programs to the small business community. This Office works mostly through procurement conferences, small business fairs, conventions, forums, and trade group seminars.

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization hosts bi-monthly Vendor Outreach Sessions that are designed to educate vendors on the small business program and to provide information on how to effectively market products and services to the Department of Health and Human Services.

At the present time, the Office of Small Business Development’s Director has Small Business Specialists report to him or her. Currently, this is the only executive agency whereby these Specialists report to the Director. HHS’ 11 agencies house these Small Business Specialists.

These Specialists work every day with staff from the Contracting and Program Office; these people work to decide what the best strategy for acquisition will be and also strive to unify their approach so that vendors dealing with HHS can benefit from this unity.

At present, Health And Human Services doesn’t give grants or loans to help small businesses start up, but it is the largest organization of the federal government to make grants. With over 300 grant programs today, it also deals with topics that are mission specific, and in turn these topics are spread out among the various operating agencies of the Health and Human Services Department. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance profiles all Federal grant programs, which provide financial assistance. This includes Health and Human Services programs as well. Besides that described previously, additional information or specific points of contact for obtaining applications are also given here.

HHS does not require any special certifications for vendors interested in doing business with the HHS. The Small Business Administration certifies firms under their 8(a) Business Development Program, the Small Disadvantaged Business Program and the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program. Small, Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned businesses rely on self-certifications. Self-certification is not questioned until a competitor or other interested party protests. A Contracting Officer with the Department may also request a size determination from the SBA.

Grants for Individuals – Are You A Candidate?

Think federal grants and loans are a fantasy or available only for the very needy? Not so. The government gives out millions of dollars in grants every year and even much more in reduced interest loans to people who have a need that meets the government’s specifications. So exactly what things does the federal government give grants and loans for? Everything from business start up and growth to help with rent and utility costs. There are a number of govt agencies that get funds every year to give or loan out to people needing their services.

If you’re interested in starting a enterprise, you may want to check out the SBA’s web page to locate if there are any grants or loans offered through the SBA. Minorities and women have a very good opportunity to obtain these varieties of grants and loans. While there aren’t many grants available for organization start up by the federal, you could be eligible for a low interest loan through the Small business administration or your local bank. At this time, you can find no federal grants given for organization start ups.

Govt grants and loans are also given out to individuals wanting to further their education but aren’t able to afford the high costs of college on their own. The federal government makes these finances obtainable to people who are applying to most any public school within the USA. Any person who meets the earnings requirements can take advantage of a Free Application For Student Aide or FAFSA form to apply for PELL grants and low interest student loans. You can apply for grants and loans to aid defer educational costs by visiting your school’s student aide department or by visiting fafsa.org.

If cash are tight and you’re having problems paying your rent and/or utilities each and every month, you may qualify for one or a number of govt grants and loans offered for this specific purpose. Federal, state and regional governments contribute money each and every year to assist low income or disadvantaged persons with heat and electric bills, as well as with rent costs. Your local Department of Social Services can support you with applications for utilities grants and may have resources accessible for rent assistance also. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, also has grant resources offered to aid with housing charges should you meet the requirements.

These are by no means the only examples that have government grants and loans available. There are lots of grants available for all sorts of reasons. If you are in want of income, you might try visiting the official government’s grant web site at grants.gov. If you’ll find no grants available that you will be eligible for, do some much more searching. You may discover that the federal is offering loans that you might qualify for instead. Diligence is key when it comes to finding federal government grants and loans. In case you keep searching, in time, you will surely uncover something that works for you.

Want to find out more about programs offering grants to individuals? Check out Michael Saunders’ Websites on Grants.Gov.

Business Grants for Women – Where to Start

Though studies have shown that women are now more likely to start a successful enterprise or not for profit organization, many who desire to achieve this additionally don’t have the funding to do so. Fortunately, the government percieves women as ‘disadvantaged’ when it comes to launching their very own company and provides capital available exclusively to women owned businesses. Government grants for women owned companies can help start your business or organization without you ever having to pay a cent back. So what does it take to be eligible for one of these grants?

The first thing you could most likely accomplish in advance of applying for government grants for women or any other form of grant or loan, is to make a company strategy. Setting up a enterprise strategy can take some labor to complete, but it is going to positively be convenient when looking for any kind of financial assistance. Business plans will also be an excellent deal of assistance to the company owner throughout their enterprise career. So, once one is finished, it will most likely be referred to more often than you think it would.

Together with your business plan, creating a vision statement that explains the key reason why that you are establishing the company you’ve selected need to also be very carefully thought out and attached. A vision statement may want to concentrate on your organization and the way your organization can assist your town.

By taking the time to generate a professional business strategy and vision statement, you are showing grant organizations that you are serious about establishing your company and qualified enough to operate a business on your own. That is an very important impression to create towards grant organization’s board considering they need to give grants to women who are seriously interested in their small business rather than just trying to find dollars.

As soon as you’ve got a business strategy in place, now you can start off your search for government agencies that give out government grants for women. A great place to begin is without a doubt through researching the Small Business Administration. Your local SBA counselors can guide and steer you in the proper direction while looking for these types of grants. There should also be lots of answers to get your on track in the SBA internet site. Some of these kinds of grants or loans are generally requested directly online.

Many of these applications can be lengthy and some have stringent instructions, so make sure to take the time to read the grant’s application and guidelines prior to starting with your application to make sure that you’ve got all of the qualifications. There isn’t any reason for filling out applications for any of these government grants or loans for women that you do not even qualify for. Countless of these grants are based on such things as ethnicity, age, company industry and location, as well as your business being a woman owned enterprise.

Though federal government grants or loans for women are out there, they don’t occur without a price. The applications require time to fill out and you will have to work diligently to show for the grant making panel that you’re deserving of these funds. But in the event that you do the job faithfully and turn in an exceptional application, you could have your company up and running in no time.

Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site featuring Business Grants for Women Owned Enterprises and another on Best Small Businesses to Start.

Jump-Start Your Government Business with the SBA 8(a) Program

The Small Business Administration 8(a) Program was initiated through the Small Business Act to assist disadvantaged small businesses to more effectively compete in the marketplace. The program helps these companies to access both private and government procurement opportunities.

The focus of the program is to provide business development support, such as mentoring, procurement assistance, business counseling, training, financial assistance, surety bonding and other management and technical assistance. The goal, however, is to prepare small disadvantaged firms for procurement and other business opportunities.

The local SBA district office serving your area is the best place to start when you’re interested in participating in the Program. Many of the general questions can be answered over the phone by SBA representatives. Additionally, many Small Business Administration district offices offer Program workshops that provide orientation information on eligibility requirements and assistance with the variety of Small Business Administration forms.

Fulfilling the requirements of the 8(a) Program are easily understood. The applicant company needs to be a small business and must be owned and controlled by a member of an economically or socially disadvantaged group. The controlling owners of the company must be of good character and be able to exhibit potential for success. The owners must also be citizens of the United States.

A small business is defined by the Small Business Administration as an entity that is organized for profit and independently owned and operated. The firm also must not be dominant in its field. Characteristics such as number of employees and sales volume, usually averaged over a three year period are dependent upon the industry in which the company operates. The basic reference used by the Small Business Administration is the Standard North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) which is used by the Federal Government to classify specific business activities that delineate the primary business of the company.

Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as members of a group. Social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, individuals who are members of the specific designated groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged.

Individuals that are not members of a designated group can claim social disadvantage on the basis of a “preponderance of evidence.” Generally, preponderance is evidence of quality and quantity which leads the decision maker to conclude, objectively, that the existence or truth of the fact(s) asserted is more probable than not. This evidence must include at least one objective distinguishing feature that has contributed to social disadvantage, such as race, ethnic origin, gender, physical handicap, long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society, or other similar causes not common to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged.

Lack of access to capital and credit opportunities is one of the key factors in gauging if one is economically disadvantaged. When coupled with social disadvantage it is a measure of how effectively one can compete in the free enterprise system.

A two year operating history is usually the minimum to apply for certification under the 8(a) program. Tax returns showing operating revenues for at least two years in the business area that the firm is applying are required to meet this requirement.

The Program is divided into two stages. The first stage is the development stage which is usually four years in duration. It is designed to help 8(a) program participants overcome economic disadvantage by providing business development assistance. The second stage is the transitional stage which usually lasts five years. This stage is designed to help participants overcome the remaining elements of economic disadvantage and to prepare participants for leaving the Program.

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