Grants are a great source of funding for organizations, non-profits, and other individuals who are looking to pursue initiatives and projects. However there’s a few different grant types which can make it hard to decide which options are available for your specific needs and goals. In this article, we’ll break down the four popular grant types and what they’re generally used for.
Federal Grants
Federal grants are grants which are funded by the federal government. These types of grants are generally used for health, science, education and community development, or for initiatives which have the ability to serve a national interest. Examples of federal grants are:
- National Science Foundation grants: These grants focus on funding for additional scientific education and knowledge by supporting areas like physics, engineering, and biology.
- National Institute of Health grants: These grants are used for medical research and help to fund studies which contribute to improvements in public health.
Federal grants often have a large competitive application process. So it’s important to craft a strong proposal to illustrate the potential impact of your project or initiative.
Corporate Grants
Corporate grants are generally used to help fund a corporation’s objective to help engage and strengthen communities. These grants usually match in with community engagement strategies and a corporation’s mission. Some examples of corporation grants include:
- Google grants: Google grants generally offer advertising credits for nonprofits which are eligible and help them to promote their mission in an online setting.
- Walmart Foundation grants: This type of grant focuses on program funding that helps to provide disaster relief, support economic development and strengthen communities.
Corporate grants are ideal for organizations which show that their work matches the corporation’s goals of helping the community. When applying for corporation grants it’s important to highlight the benefits of a strong partnership in the proposal and how it will impact the community. It’s also good to check and tick off a grant readiness checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything you need to for the best chance of getting the grant.
Research Grants
Research grants are aimed at helping to provide funding for research projects. These grants are important and they’re usually awarded to researchers, scientists, and academic institutions who are pursuing significant studies. Examples of research grants include:
- Social Science Research Council grants: These help to support research in the social sciences which can include sociology, public policy, and education.
- Department of Energy grants: These are focused on energy related research which can include energy efficient improvements and renewable energy technology advancements.
When applying for research grants for science related projects you need to make sure you provide a complex and comprehensive research proposal highlighting the methodology, timeline for the project and anticipated results you hope to achieve from it.
Capacity Building Grants
Capacity building grants are designed to help organizations to build their overall capacity to deliver their services or to provide improved operations. These grants focus on internal development rather than external programming. Examples of capacity building grants are:
- Infrastructure grants: These help to provide funding to support facility or technology upgrades which can enhance a service or delivery.
- Technical Assistance grants: This funding is designed to help with workshops, training, and consulting services that help to improve an organization’s effectiveness. When applying for capacity building grants it’s a good idea to highlight how you’ll use the grant to improve your businesses capacity to deliver services, the challenges involved, and how you plan to overcome these challenges.
Endnote
When it comes to grants there’s a few different ones you can choose from. These four are the most common and popular ones for many people. Before you submit your application, make sure you have highlighted all the key information to ensure you have a strong proposal to help you fund your initiative.
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