If you have been looking for a quality resource for government grants, look no further. Grants.gov is a great source to not only research and find, but also to apply for federal grants.

Grants.gov is a data warehouse providing information on one thousand plus grant programs. Additionally, Grants.gov enables access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.

You can learn more and determine if you are eligible for grant opportunities including financial assistance offered at Grants.gov by visiting the following sites:

http://www.benefits.gov/

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

http://www.sba.gov/

You follow the latest opportunities by searching at the below link:

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=Search&dates=7&docs1=doc_open_checked

If you want to follow the latest information, requirements and opportunities, you can subscribe to the different grants and receive notifications by signing up at any one of the different feeds or newsletters at the following link:

http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/email_subscription.jsp

There are numerous research capabilities at Grants.gov site. The following links can provide knowledgeable resources:

You can search by category:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/category.do

If you are familiar with the different agencies, you can search for grant opportunities at the following link:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/agency.do

You may have advanced criteria requirements to search. You can create your specified search at the following link:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/advanced.do

You can apply from grants.gov site at:

http://www07.grants.gov/applicant_s2s/applicant_system_to_system.jsp

In response to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or Recovery Act, Grant-making agencies are posting Recovery Act specific grant opportunities on Grants.gov.

View all opportunities

Other information and opportunities regarding the Recovery Act is available.
Learn more about the Recovery Act and how it can benefit you.

Update-to-date information on the state of recovery.

Learn more about the White House Recovery.

Read Feature Stories related to the Recovery of Washington.

Nonprofit Organizations: A Unique Role in our National Recovery

The nonprofit sector – comprised of health, education, civic, scientific, and charitable organizations – employs over 9 million Americans. Millions more benefit from the job training, education, and health care services these organizations provide.

Using Grants.gov to find and apply for Recovery Act opportunities, nonprofit organizations like the ones featured here can contribute to the economic recovery in their communities and across the nation.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is Grants.gov?

Information on Grants.gov Logo?

If I have a question that I don’t see in Frequently Asked Questions, what should I do?

Who can I talk to about a problem I’m having?

When should I contact the NIH – eRA Commons Help Desk instead of Grants.gov Contact Center

As an individual, how do I find information on federal and state grants, benefits, or assistance?

What is Grants.gov’s privacy policy?

What do you do with the personal information I enter at Grants.gov?

Does Grants.gov ask for personal information such as a social security number, banking or credit card information

Who should I contact if I think that someone is fraudulently representing Grants.gov?

How can I recognize and avoid grant scams/fraud?

http://www07.grants.gov/help/newsletter.jsp

There are a multitude of Federal Government Grant Opportunities that most people are not aware being available.

You can research different grants utilizing the sites ‘Basic’, ‘Categories’ and ‘Agency’ search criteria. After, you have done your research and should you find, a grant applicable to you, you can register and apply the grant. You can ‘Get Registered’ and expect an acknowledgement to take about a week for any replies of denial or acceptance. Many times it does take longer.

Searching for Grant Opportunities is not difficult -

The site offers searching by keyword, Funding Opportunity Number or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number.

Additionally, you can search by a variety of categories for funding activities as well as search from a list of agencies offering grant opportunities.

It is also possible to perform your searches utilizing specific criteria such as below mentioned:

Funding Instrument Type,

Eligibility or Sub-agency

Search for Recovery Act Opportunities.

Once you have researched specific search criteria, and found a grant opportunity, you can access the “Application.

You may also search for a specific application package by the Funding Opportunity Number (FON), Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number or Funding Opportunity Competition ID on the Download a Grant Application Package page.

You can receive notifications of new grant opportunity postings, when you sign up at ‘All About Grants’.  Additionally, you can sign-up for a “Quarterly Newsletter”, offered by Grants.gov.

You can always obtain the latest new by reading the Grants.gov Blog.

Although federal grants for small businesses are not often available, there are alternatives to obtain small business start up grants if you fit certain criteria. Additionally, there are specialized small business grants offered by local and state agencies.

Initially, you must understand government home based business prerequisites. If you are not familiar with the necessary obligations and responsibilities for licenses, taxes, policies, salary, deductions, laws and other requirements, you will have to do your due diligence and learn these necessities’.

Too many people working from home begin a ‘home-based-businesses’ before they understand the essential and mandatory obligations to properly engage in business practices. Over a time, if they have not set-up their business accurately from the beginning, a great deal of catching up is necessary. Many times, not having the correct business licenses and not paying the required taxes, including inaccurate practices create difficulty with profits and an ability to follow-through with the business’ obligations. This of course, causes duress and pressure that could have been avoided if your business was initially set-up correctly.

You can purchase different books on how to start-up your home business or begin working at home requirements in addition to taking the time to research your specific business type and its requisites. Furthermore, working with an accountant from the very beginning is a very good idea to save you from any slack in business knowledge you may have.

Here are some important considerations when starting up a home based business:

1. Contact an Accountant immediately.

A. Request an introductory consultation for starting your business

B. Request a home-based-business starter kit if they have one

(This should be documents and instructions)

 2. If you are starting a Corporation, Contact an Attorney.

A. Request an introductory consultation for starting your corporation.

B. Review costs for professional assistance versus (DIY) doing it yourself.

 After you have contacted and had meetings with professionals, and determined if you will obtain their services or follow through with all business aspects and requirements yourself, you will be ready to begin preparing the documents necessary to start your home business.

Some entrepreneurs first research any type of business where they will work from their home. Others prefer knowing exactly what type of home based business they will start. There are different requirements depending upon specific laws and rules of any particular business. However, there is one very important fact when starting your home business; and that is to be sure zoning requirements allow your type of business. If your home business requires traffic, your area may not allow your type business to operate at your residence address. It is very important to be aware of this matter and follow through accordingly.

Discussing and determining the type of business and if you will be a corporation Inc, or L.L.C. is another matter of consideration. It is best to review this with an Accountant and or Attorney as they have studied the necessary and correct procedures. It is important that you have an understanding enough to make decisions as it is a substance of reassurance. Nevertheless, you do not have to be the professional certified or the expert, as accounting and legalities are a separate entity. It will be important that you wear many hats to achieve many tasks in your business. However, you are not required to be master in all aspects of your home based business.

You must first have your business or company name. Decide if it will be a corporation, partnership or individually owned business for profit or non-profit.

Please Note: Starting a Corporation does not require you place an advertisement for a DBA / Fictitious Business Name. However, if you require the steps click here

You must obtain your Federal ID Number from the IRS. This can be achieved online or by sending in your application to the IRS. You can learn more at this link.

It will be essential you establish the type business you wish to operate from home prior to filing any of the necessary documents, obtaining licenses and setting up your business tax requirements.

Check back to read more on Home-Based-Businesses…