Grants: A Research Guide

Organizations looking for money to fund various community projects must first identify prospective funding agencies whose mission statement reflects the outcome of the project. Long before this process even starts the planning phase must begin. The resources below will help researchers not only identify potential sources of funding, but instruct in the process from the initial stages of planning, the application process and reporting on a grants progress. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

Annual Register of Grant Support. New Providence, NJ: R. R. Bowker, 1969– . Annual. ISSN: 00664049.
Guide to more than 3,500 grant-giving organizations offering nonrepayable support. Organized by 11 major subject areas.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Washington, DC: The Office of Management and Budget, 1970– . Annual. ISSN: 00977799. Also available at www.cfda.gov.
Provides information on all federal programs available to state and local governments; federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; territories of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

Directory of Research Grants 2004. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2003. Annual. ISSN: 1573565954.
Entries arranged under broad topics. Each entry gives descriptive information such as amount of awards, purpose, and application guidelines. Indexes organized by grant names, organizations, and subjects.

The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing, 4th ed. by Jane C. Geever. New York: Foundation Center, 2004. ISBN: 1931923922.
Covers writing a grant proposal including planning stages, drafting the copy, and post-grant follow up with attention to researching, contacting, and cultivating potential sources of funds.

Foundation Directory. New York: Foundation Center, 1960– . Annual. ISSN: 00718092.
Features key facts on the nation's top 10,000 foundations by total giving.

Grant Writing For Dummies by Beverly A. Browning. Foster City, CA: IDG Books Worldwide, 2001. ISBN: 0764553070.
Provides an overview of what types of grants are available and how to apply for them, grant-writing terminology, samples of successful grant proposals.

The “How To” Grants Manual: Successful Grantseeking Techniques for Obtaining Public and Private Grants, 5th ed. by David G. Bauer. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 2003. ISBN: 0275980707.
Designed to helps readers identify best sources of funds, develop systematic approach, write tailored proposals, and learn to work well with government, foundation, and corporate funders.

Proposal Planning and Writing, 3rd ed. by Lynn E. Miner and Jeremy T. Miner. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1998. ISBN: 1573564982.
Covers finding and developing proposals, writing foundation and corporate proposals, writing government proposals, and final steps to successful proposal writing.

Secrets of Successful Grantsmanship: A Guerrilla Guide to Raising Money by Susan L. Golden. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997. ISBN: 078790306X.
Gives fundraisers the grantsmanship skills they need to successfully navigate the grantmaking process, from conducting effective prospect research and making initial conversations count to preparing, submitting, and following up on grant proposals.

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The Foundation Center
www.fdncenter.org
Includes online databases, news, training programs, locations of learning centers, Foundation Center libraries, and cooperating collections.

Grants.gov
www.grants.gov
Allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies.

SRA International Grants Web
www.srainternational.org/newweb/grantsweb/index.cfm
Directory of public and private research funding resources from the Society for Research Administrators.