Grant Writing Master Course: Module One

Vocabulary and key concepts from Module One of the Grant Writing Master Course covering types of grants, federal spending, and foundations.

Grant

A quantity of money, i.e., financial assistance, given by a government, organization, or person for a specific purpose that, unlike a loan, does not have to be paid back.

Federal Grants

Economic aid issued by the United States government out of the general federal revenue to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States.

Categorical Grants

Grants with narrowly defined purposes (categories) where, at times, recipients must match a percentage of the grants.

Formula Grants

A type of federal grant where funding levels are determined by Law.

Discretionary Grants

A type of federal grant defined as competitive grants.

Block Grants

Large grants given to state or local governments for a general purpose, which are then dispersed by states and territories (e.g., Medicaid and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).

Earmark Grants

Grants specified in the appropriations of the U.S. Congress that are not competitive.

Federal Funding to States (2017/2018 Data)

The federal government distributes about $700$ billion ($17 \%$ of its budget) to states and localities each year.

2017 State Funding Allocation

Approximately $65 \%$ of federal funds distributed to states and localities were dedicated to health care.

Foundation

A non-governmental entity established as a nonprofit corporation or a charitable trust, with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations, institutions, or individuals for scientific, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.

Money Mindset

The practice of staying positive, being confident in the availability of funding, and viewing money as energy within the grant writing profession.