There are plenty of resources for helping you find and apply for government grants without having to resort to buy expensive guidebooks. Everything you need is available on-line or at your local funding library. The federal government, many foundations, and "funders" offer extensive free downloadable resources to teach you write successful grants. Here are some sources.
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is the grandaddy of all sources for federal grants. The site publishes requests for proposal (RFP's) from all 26 federal agencies that give grants. You can sign up for a free email grant alert on the site. The alert allows you to choose what kind of RFP's are sent to you so that you don't get a lot of junk. Every RFP comes with complete downloadable application materials and instructions for filling out the grant. Many federal grant programs also host free training sessions for would-be grantees that teach you to how write specific grants. In addition, the site has many advisory articles and guides that will help you learn write federal grants.
The Federal Register
The Federal Register is the official publication of the U.S. Congress that lists all appropriations and contains information about the legislative intent behind a specific grant appropriation that may give you an "inside" look at why the grant is being awarded. In addition, all the RFP materials are published here.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The CFDA is an online searchable catalog of all available grants from all agencies. The CFDA lists past grants in specific areas of interest that allow you to look at previous year's grant programs. You may be able to download samples of past winning grant proposals that can help guide you in writing this year's grant application.
State Grants Websites
Every state has a website. Find it and search for their grants web page. These often offer similar resources to Grants.gov, but for state level programs. Get on their grant alerts newsletter to keep abreast of newly released RFP's in your area of interest. Like the federal grants site, many states offer downloadable guides and training materials. Some also offer training sessions for grant applicants that can give you an advantage in preparing your application packet.
Federal Funding Tools and Links
The Michigan State Universities Library has a website with extensive links to web pages that explain government grants. These links can help you not only find grants you are eligible for, but also provides information about write grants of all kinds. This site is well worth bookmarking.
The Funding Library
Anywhere you live there is probably a funding library that contains a wealth of grant search and grant-writing resources. The library may be a special section of a public library, the United Way, or a regional nonprofit management center. The library will have expensive subscriptions to printed grant alerts, books on grant writing, foundation information, philanthropy, and collaborative program development. They will also have computers with paid subscriptions to grant search tools, foundation search engines and other fund-raising software. Staff are often available to walk you through the search process and even to help you set up the application writing process.
