Grants Research
Your eligibility depends on the foundations or charities to which you apply. Research will help you determine the best places to apply to meet your needs, whether individual or for an entire organization.
- GrantStation, available through the Library’s Research & Reference link, is a comprehensive source of numerous grant announcements; it is searchable by federal or state grants and loans, includes charitable giving, and provides proposal writing tips.
- Grants.gov discusses types of grants available from federal government
There are grants, scholarships, financial assistance and similar programs. Funding or grants may be for a very specialized area, look for the ones that best suit your needs.
- Internet Public Library
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance - lists services, projects, programs. See the "General Info" link on this site, a CFDA overview, writing grant tips, and FAQs.
What is a Foundation?
Private and public Foundations are organized for the purpose of providing funds in one some form, such as grants, to organizations, businesses, groups, or individuals for designated research and other causes.
- Foundation Center definition
What is a charity?
A charitable organization collects and distributes materials and money for those in need. It may also provide voluntary help.
Where can I find a charity or foundation that offers grants or assistance?
General:
- Foundation Finder
- Foundations Research Guide
- Foundation Center Cooperating Collection, maintained by University of Delaware Library
Government:
- Grants.gov - find and apply for federal government grants
- USA.gov for Nonprofits: Government assistance for businesses and nonprofits
- National Institutes of Health à Office of Extramural Research (OER)
- National Science Foundation - Find Funding
- Small Business Research Funding Opportunities - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Investigate an Organization
- GuideStar.org - Search organization by name for description
- Give.org - charity reports from the Better Business Bureau
- Charity Navigator
- NOZA 990-PF Tax Return Search
- Foundation Center - Research statistical data on charities
Individual funding programs will also provide application instructions
- Nonprofit Guides.org - Nonprofits Grants Resources Links
- Grants,etc - maintained by the University of Michigan, provides links to funding sources and learning resources
- Grants.gov - Federal Government grants and financial assistance
What is a proposal and how would I write one?
- Proposal Writing & Research Development - maintained by University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- Nonprofit Guides.org - Nonprofits Grant Writing Tips
- Grant Proposals Writing Guide - The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Guide to Proposal Planning & Writing - maintained by The College of William and Mary.
- Grant Proposal.com
Is there anything for scholarship searches?
Gale Virtual Reference, accessible from the library web page, at the enet stations or from home with your MPPL library card, provides complete text of the 6 volume College Blue Book and of Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans. [Please place direct links to these highlighted items: Gale Virtual Reference and open “Education”]
- Register (free) on FastWeb to gain personalized information about scholarships, colleges, internships, jobs, and more.
I’m a teen, but I want to help—where can I learn about volunteering?
- There is a great deal of information on dosomething.org about projects and causes. Enter your zip code to learn what’s available in your area.
Print Collection
Writing Proposals
- Barbato, Joseph. How to Write Knockout Proposals.
658.1522 BAR - Browning, Bev. Grant Writing for Dummies, 2nd ed.
658.1522 BRO - Rinehart, Eric. Proposal Writing
658.1522 RIN - Smith, Nancy Burke. Complete Book of Grant Writing
658.1522 SMI
Finding Grants & Funding
- Bauer, David G. The “How To” Grants Manual, 5th ed.
658.1522 BAU - Bray, Ilona. Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits.
658.1522 BRA - Smith, Nancy Burke. The Everything Grant Writing Book
658.1522 SMI
Reference Books in Print
The Grants & Foundations Table holds directories, registers, and other books related to funding and grants. Among them are:
| Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing | GRANTS R 361.7068 FOU (2004) |
| Foundation Directory | GRANTS R 361.7068 FOU (2010) |
| Foundation Grants to Individuals | GRANTS R 001.44 FOU (2006) |
| Grants Register | GRANTS R 378.3 GRA (2007) |
| National Directory of Corporate Giving | GRANTS R 361.765 NAT (2006) |
| National Directory of Nonprofit Organizations | GRANTS R 658.048 NAT (2010) |
Reference: Available at Reference Desk
| Government Assistance Almanac | RD R 352.7097 GOV (2009) |
