Each year, Congress provides federal agencies with money to support local efforts for housing, small businesses, public safety, rural development, and more. Getting federal dollars back to Michigan is a top priority for Senator Slotkin.
Understand federal grant opportunities
Most federal grant funding (more than 80%) goes to states in the form of formula or block grants that are then distributed by state agencies through grants or contracts to local entities that run specific programs or offer specific services. Click here to research State of Michigan grant opportunities.
The Assistance Listings page on SAM.gov is the primary source of information on federal assistance programs. This searchable resource provides information on federal assistance programs, including formula and project grants. The listings include information on eligibility, how to apply, and matching requirements, among other things. Please note that the actual funding of specific grant programs depends upon annual congressional budget appropriations. For background information on SAM.gov and the Assistance Listings resource, click here and here.
Grants.gov is a website that grantseekers may use to get information about and apply for competitive federal grant opportunities. In general, these are grants that are awarded directly by a federal agency.
Information on funding through formula or block grant programs is available from the entity that received the prime federal grant.
Tips for searching, developing, and writing a grant proposal
- Define the need: What problem are you trying to solve? What community need are you trying to meet? Gather statistics. Who would this benefit? Is there an organization in your community providing the same or similar services that your project would address? If so, we recommend not duplicating existing services that are meeting this need. Instead, work with the organization to enhance their services.
- Build a coalition: Bring together other people, organizations, and government agencies who want to work together to solve this issue. Try to get community buy-in. The broader the support, the more competitive your project will be.
- Develop your proposal: Start putting together your proposal by asking these key questions: How will this project solve the problem? How will it be structured? What are the costs? Is there a more direct solution? Could you cut the cost and speed the results by using existing resources? Have you reached out to the communities which your project aims to help? Do they find value in your approach and project parameters?
- Register: Get your organization and the applicant (if different) registered through SAM.gov and grants.gov. Make sure everything is in order before you start looking for funding so that you can apply on time. Click here for more information on how to register, and click here to start the registration process at SAM.gov.
- Search for grants: Determine which category of funding is relevant (there is more information on this below). If you need help with your search reach out to Senator Slotkin’s office and the Community Events and Grants Manager is happy to help with your research. The best listing of all federal grant opportunities is SAM.gov, which allows you to search for by topic or agency name. When you find a potential grant, read the eligibility criteria carefully. It’s important to diversify your search for funding, so you should also find out if there are formula grants to the state that you could be eligible for or if there are foundations or companies that offer grants for which your project may be eligible.
- Pull together application materials: A best practice is to divide the work up, but have one person responsible for submitting the final application on time. It’s best to ask several people to proofread your application, including someone from outside your organization. This will help to ensure your application is written in a way that is clear to others who are not directly involved in the project. Ask outside reviewers whether they feel your proposal answers the questions posed in the grant application criteria.
- Gather letters of support: Senator Slotkin’s office may be able to provide a letter of support for your application. Reach out to her office to request the details on how to submit a request.
- Submit your application: When your application has been reviewed and you have letters of support you can submit the proposal. You can ask the funding agency to confirm they received your application so you know that it arrived on time. It will take the agency several months to select an awardee(s). If your grant is not funded, you can ask the agency how you might improve your application and make changes to apply the following year. If your proposal is funded, use the news of the grant as a springboard to attract more supporters and advocates. Either way, thank everyone who helped you complete your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Senator Slotkin’s staff write grant proposals, review, or proof-read them?
While Senator Slotkin’s office is unable to write, review or proofread grant proposals, we are able to help in other ways. The office can assist you in researching federal grants you may be eligible for and we may be able to provide a letter of support for your project.
To have your letter of support request considered, please click on this link: Senator Slotkin’s grant letter of support request form.
Does Senator Slotkin decide who receives a grant?
No. Those decisions are made by the cabinet department peer review committees based on objective criteria.
I'm a for-profit company. Are federal grants available to me?
Typically not, but click here to review the Small Business Administration for more information.
How can I get a grant to start a small business or to make additions and improvements to my current small business?
Please see both the Federal Grant & Procurement section and the Business Resources sections below.
Are there grants for construction costs?
Generally, federal grants do not cover the cost of new construction or capital improvements. However, you may be able to apply for funding for planning, operational and programmatic costs and can divert the money you would have spent on that towards construction costs.
Where can I find open federal grant opportunities?
Click here to visit Grants.gov to find federal grant opportunities. For a full list of open and closed funding opportunities, click here to visit SAM.gov. See Federal Grant & Procurement Resources section for a federal grants guide for Michigan municipalities compiled by Senator Slotkin’ office.
Who is eligible for federal grant funding?
Most federal grants are awarded to non-profits like charities, schools and community organizations, state & local government agencies, federally-recognized tribes, and public safety agencies like hospitals, police and fire departments.
How long is the process for obtaining federal grant money?
Finding opportunities for which you are eligible and applying for a federal grant takes time and effort. You’ll need time to research available opportunities, develop your project, and write the proposal. Once a grant application is submitted it often takes the funding agency several months to review the applications and select the awardees. If your application is successful, there are also a number of requirements to meet when using the funding.
Federal Grant & Procurement Resources
Senator Slotkin’s Grant Letter of Support:
If you are applying for a federal grant and would like to request a letter of support from Senator Slotkin, please complete and submit this Grant Letter of Support Request Form and your request will be reviewed. Please note that the request must pertain to a specific federal grant for which you are applying or have applied; general letters of support will not be considered.
Grants.gov:
Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies. It is the federal government’s main web resource on which you can find and apply for federal government grants.
SAM.gov:
SAM.gov provides access to and official descriptions of more than 2,000 federal programs (including grant, loan, procurement and other financial and non-financial assistance) available to state and local governments, profit and non-profit organizations, groups and individuals. Programs are searchable and descriptions are updated by departments and agencies, and they cover authorizing legislation, objectives, and eligibility and compliance requirements.
Click HERE to learn more.
Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources:
This Congressional Research Services’ report describes the most common elements of the federal procurement process and resources that may be used in that process.
Please click here for more information on Federal Grant Resources, Business Resources, an A-Z Index of U. S. Departments and Agencies, and much more.