U.S. Federal Grants for Everyday Americans

Understanding what grants are not is essential; grants are not entitlements or benefits. Federal grants are awards of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of stimulation or support authorized by a law of the United States. A federal grant is not a form of federal assistance or a loan to an individual. A federal grant cannot be used to acquire either services or property for the federal government's direct benefit. Twenty-six federal agencies offer more than one-thousand programs each year in several different categories.

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There has been a lot of 'hype' associated with federal grants on infomercials and websites, in reference guides and books advertising 'millions of dollars in free money!' Don't believe the hype. There are grants available on Grants.gov that are there for individuals, but they are only available for some personal financial assistance.

Several groups of organizations are eligible to apply for grants. These groups include:

• Education Organizations
• Non-Profit Organizations
• For-Profit Organizations
• Government Organizations
• Public Housing Organizations

Individuals submit a grant on their behalf. They do not submit a grant for an organization, company, institution, or government. The individual signs the grant application and its associated certifications and assurances to fulfill the application process requirements. If you register as an individual, you can only apply for grant opportunities that are open to individuals.

The Grants.gov site has more than one-thousand grant programs offered by twenty-six federal grant-making agencies that fall into twenty-one categories. Fortunately, the site has several different search options. One of the search options is to search by category; these categories are also listed on the site. The categories include:

• Arts
• Energy
• Health
• Housing
• Education
• Humanities
• Agriculture
• Recovery Act
• Transportation
• Natural Resources
• Food and Nutrition
• Regional Development
• Community Development
• Business and Commerce
• Environmental Quality
• Science and Technology
• Information and Statistics
• Disaster Prevention and Relief
• Employment, Labor and Training
• Law, Justice and Legal Services
• Social Services and Income Security

For further information see:

U.S. Disability Loans and Finance Sources

Government Disability Grants Information and Websites

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.