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Federal grants are generally awarded to organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, schools, colleges, universities, Native American tribal organizations, and other community based organizations.  Unlike loans, federal grants do not need to be paid back.

The only differences in applying for federal grants vs. applying for grants from private foundations are the number of forms and components required. To apply for federal grants you are normally required to complete the following forms and proposal components:

• Cover Form 424
  
• Abstract
  
• Table of Contents
  
• Budget Form 524
  
• Assurances Form
  
• Drug Free Workplace Form
  Lobbying Form
  

The rest of the grant proposal for federal grants is very similar to any other grant proposal.  Federal grants are generally judged against a set of criteria for which points are allocated.  Sample criteria for federal grants include the following, which have been extracted from a Youthbuild RFP:

• Capacity of Applicant and Relevant Organizational Experience (15 points)
  
• Need/Extent of the Problem (25 points)
  
• Soundness of Approach (40 points)
  
• Leveraging Resources (10 points)
  
• Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (10 points)
  

Private foundations often word their questions differently than federal government agencies, but the proposal responses should be very similar.  For example:

 

“The capacity of applicant and relevant organizational information” required in federal grant applications, might be referred to as “applicant qualifications” in a private foundation proposal.

 

 “Soundness of approach” required in federal grant applications might be referred to “Program Plan” in a private foundation proposal.  A private foundation might also ask for “project objectives or activities to accomplish your goal.” 

 

“Leveraging resources” required in federal grant applications, might be asked in a private foundation proposal with the following word: “Describe how you will collaborate with other organizations in the community.”