• What You Should Know: tips to consider prior to beginning the grant process
• Grants Search: links to funding information
• Grant Spotlight: links to popular funding programs currently accepting proposals
• How Can Senator Cardin Help?

What you should know

• There are hundreds of federal grants and loans available for various purposes. However, not everyone is eligible for a federal grant. Most are awarded to non-profits, state and local government agencies, federally-recognized tribes, and public safety agencies.
• Federal assistance is limited. A successful project will likely leverage public and private financial support. Therefore, one should always investigate private and corporate funding as well as seeking federal assistance.
• When a federal program of interest is located, pay strict attention to the guidelines and eligibility requirements and adhere to them.
• Allow sufficient time to develop a well-planned proposal. The proposal should include an introduction to the organization, a description of the need that your proposal would meet, project objectives, a description of the method for achieving those objectives, means of evaluating the success of the project, and details regarding project plans beyond the term of the grant. An executive summary of these items should be provided. More information on developing a grant proposal can be found in CRS RL32159 or by taking the free short course offered by the Foundation Center at www.fdncenter.org.

Grant search

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: lists grants, loans, and non-financial assistance, including those that may not have been funded for a particular budget year.


• www.grants.gov: the best source for current funding programs.


• USA.gov: a portal for U.S. government services and information.


• www.fdncenter.org: source for private foundation funding.

Grant Spotlight: links to popular grant programs

• NEA main page
• 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
• HUD Grant Programs
• Save America's Treasures
• Disaster Assistance

How can Senator Cardin help?

Senator Cardin does not determine who receives grant funding. The office cannot write or review proposals. However, we can assist by identifying grants for which your project may be eligible, checking the status of your grant application within a federal agency, troubleshooting issues you may have with federal agencies once a grant is awarded.

Additionally, Senator Cardin may write letters supporting the project. To request a support letter, please provide the title of the project, an executive summary, the name of the grant program for which you are applying with the agency contact, the amount of funding requested, and details on how the project benefits the state or region.

Written requests for support letters can be mailed to:

     Senator Benjamin L. Cardin
     509 Hart Senate Office Building
     Washington, D.C. 20510

Please note that due to heightened security measures, there may be a delay to receiving mail in the Senator's office. Be sure to allow an appropriate time frame for the processing of your request. You may also fax your request to 202-224-1651.

To expedite the processing of your support letter, you may prefer to complete the Support Letter Request form to be submitted electronically:

Electronic Grant Form

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