Federal grants are the lifeblood of many American nonprofits. In 2026, the federal government will distribute over $700 billion in grants — a significant portion flows to nonprofits through competitive and formula award programs.
Federal grants are free money you do not have to repay (if you meet terms). This is different from contracts which are payment for services rendered.
Top Federal Agencies Funding Nonprofits
Major federal agencies awarding grants to nonprofits
| Agency | 2026 Budget | Best Nonprofits For |
|---|---|---|
| HHS (Health & Human) | $1.7T | Health, social services, youth |
| DOE (Education) | $90B | Schools, workforce development |
| EPA (Environmental) | $10B | Environmental, conservation |
| USDA (Agriculture) | $25B | Food banks, rural programs |
| HUD | $50B | Housing, homeless services |
HHS (Health & Human)
$1.7T
Health, social services, youth
DOE (Education)
$90B
Schools, workforce development
EPA (Environmental)
$10B
Environmental, conservation
USDA (Agriculture)
$25B
Food banks, rural programs
HUD
$50B
Housing, homeless services
How to Find Federal Grants
Grant Research Process
Start with Grants.gov
Start with Grants.gov
Create saved searches and email alerts for your keywords.
Check Agency Portals
Check Agency Portals
HRSA, EPA, DOE often post before Grants.gov.
Subscribe to Funding Alerts
Subscribe to Funding Alerts
Use Pivot, GrantStation for advanced searches.
Network with Funder Officers
Network with Funder Officers
Pre-application webinars improve understanding.
Application Essentials
Required Elements
Why Applications Fail
Top 10 Rejection Reasons
- Did not follow NOFO exactly
- Ineligible — wrong organization type or activities
- Weak problem statement — no data
- Unrealistic budget
- No evidence-based practices
- No sustainability plan
- Late submission
Post-Award Management
Post-Award Responsibilities
- Separate accounting for each grant
- Quarterly/annual progress and financial reports
- Spend within period of performance
- Follow 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)
- Maintain documentation for 3 years after end
FAQ
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Everything you need to find, evaluate, and win federal grants.
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