Grants & Assistance
Looking for funding or support? There are many programs available — from federal and state grants to private foundation funding, non-grant benefits, and other resources for businesses, vendors, and students. This guide helps you understand what’s out there and how to get started.
Federal Grants
Federal grants are funds awarded (not loaned) by U.S. government agencies to support projects that benefit the public — like education, health, infrastructure, and research.
Key Points:
- Grant opportunities are announced via a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which lays out eligibility, deadlines, required documents, and how proposals will be scored.
- Most applications are submitted through Grants.gov.
- Organizations must register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Once awarded, grantees must follow strict rules on budgeting, reporting, record-keeping, and compliance.
Learn more:
- Grants 101 (Grants.gov)- a beginner-friendly guide to federal grants
- How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal (Congressional Research Service)
- Resources for Grantseekers (Congressional Research Service)
New York State Grants
New York State offers its own grant programs, often with more local or regional focus.
- State grants are typically administered via the Statewide Financial System (SFS). You can search current opportunities here.
- Nonprofit organizations frequently must prequalify before applying. To do so, you submit documents like your incorporation papers, audits, bylaws, IRS letter, etc. More information can be found here.
- State grants have their own fiscal rules, reporting schedules, and contract terms.
- Example: Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY)
Private Foundation Grants
Foundations offer funding from private or philanthropic resources. Their approach may allow more flexibility than federal or state grants — but the match with mission and approach is critical.
What to Expect:
- Foundations generally fund projects or initiatives that align with their mission or focus areas (e.g. health equity, arts, education, environment).
- Support may include project funding, operating support, capacity building, or matching grants.
- Foundations often look for strong storytelling, evidence of impact, sustainability, and evaluation.
Tips:
- Research past grantees to see what gets funded.
- Tailor your proposal to each foundation’s priorities.
- Demonstrate sustainability and long-term planning.
- Build relationships with program officers.
Further Resources:
Non-Grant Assistance (for Individuals & Families)
Not all assistance is for organizations. Many federal and state programs provide direct support to people and households.
- Food & nutrition (SNAP, WIC)
- Health coverage (Medicaid, Medicare, ACA)
- Housing and utilities support
- Cash assistance / welfare (TANF)
- Social Security programs
- Unemployment, disaster relief, veterans’ benefits
Get started with the Benefit Finder tool, or explore benefits on USA.gov.
Other Assistance
For businesses, vendors, students, and others, the government provides support beyond grants or benefits:
- A–Z Index of U.S. Departments & Agencies
- USA.gov for Businesses & Nonprofits
- SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
- Student Aid on the Web
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What is a federal grant?
A: Funding provided by a U.S. government agency to support a public purpose, not private interests. It often supports new projects, research, public services, or expansions of existing programs.
Q: Who qualifies for grants?
A: Eligibility varies by program. Some grants are open to nonprofits, state/local governments, educational institutions, for-profits, tribal nations, or community-based organizations. Always check the “Eligibility” section of the NOFO for details.
Q: What is a NOFO?
A: A Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines the purpose, rules, application requirements, deadlines, and scoring criteria.
Q: How do I apply for a federal grant?
A: Search Grants.gov, confirm eligibility, register in SAM.gov, prepare narrative/budget, and submit before the deadline.
Q: When should I contact your office for a letter of support?
A: Once you know you will apply or have started an application.
Q: Can your office help with understanding the grant process?
A: Yes, we provide tailored assistance and can connect you with agency contacts.
Quick Comparison
| Assistance Type | Who It Helps | Where to Apply |
| Federal Grants | Organizations, governments | Grants.gov |
| New York State Grants | NY nonprofits, agencies | SFS Portal |
| Private Foundations | Nonprofits, community projects | Grants Space, Foundation Info Network |
| Non-Grant Assistance | Individuals & families | USA.gov Benefits |
| Other Assistance | Businesses, students, vendors | USA.gov Business, SAM.gov Opportunities, StudentAid.gov |
Combined Roadmap: How to Navigate Funding & Assistance
| Step | Federal Grants | New York State Grants | Private Foundations | Non-Grant Assistance | Other Assistance |
| 1. Search & Identify | Grants.gov | SFS Portal | Grants Space / Foundation Info Network | USA.gov Benefits | USA.gov Agencies / SAM.gov |
| 2. Confirm Eligibility | Read NOFO | Check prequalification | Review foundation criteria | Use Benefit Finder | Review agency / program rules |
| 3. Register / Prepare | Get UEI, register in SAM | Prequalify via SFS | Gather org docs, use foundation directories | Gather personal documents | Register as contractor, apply for student aid, etc. |
| 4. Draft Application | Proposal + budget + attachments | State-specific forms | Tailored proposal (using proposal-writing guides) | Complete benefit application | Prepare bid proposals, loan applications, FAFSA |
| 5. Submit | Grants.gov or agency portal | SFS portal | Foundation portals/email; Foundation Directory Online | Submit via official program site or office | SAM.gov, SBA, StudentAid.gov, etc. |
| 6. Post-Award / Post-Approval | Reports, audits, compliance | State fiscal reporting | Foundation reporting, evaluation | Benefit renewal, recertification | Contract compliance, student loan repayment |
| 7. Sustainability & Next Steps | Seek renewal or additional funding | Combine funding sources | Build funder relationships, continue using networks | Plan for transition if benefits end | Expand contracts, grow business, pursue education |
How Our Office Can Help
Although we don’t make grant awards ourselves, our office is here to support you:
- Help identify funding opportunities
- Provide letters of support
- Explain technical terms in plain language
- Connect you with state agencies, foundations, or benefit programs
Contact Us:
Rochester District Office
255 East Ave.
Suite 150
Rochester, NY 14604
Phone: (585) 232-4850
Fax: (771) 200-5554