Am I Eligible to Apply for a Grant?

When it comes to grants, a key factor to consider before beginning the application process for a particular grant is whether or not you, your nonprofit or your business is eligible to apply for the grant. The eligibility criteria will also differ with each grant funding opportunity. While some criteria may be similar, each grant application will likely have specific features or requirements you will need to be aware of.

As a grant seeker, you will need to read through the eligibility criteria of each grant for which you have an interest in applying. GrantWatch‘s grant listing directory is an excellent resource for locating grant opportunities that match your interests.

Besides the completion of your grant proposal, you will also need to include supporting documents and evidence. The following information will give you a good idea of what items you may need to include. With this in mind, remember that each grant is different and requests will vary.

Grants for Nonprofits Typically Require:

1. Documents to verify your tax-exempt status (i.e., letter of determination from the IRS).
2. A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number.
3. Employer Tax Identification Number (EIN).
4. A mission statement, including goals and targeted population to be served.
5. Bylaws and other governing documents.
6. Two years of tax returns and financial audits/statements.
7. Organization’s annual budget & program budgets.
8. A list of board members & their roles (highlighting expertise, experience and diversity).
9. A written strategic plan (similar to a business plan, but for a nonprofit).
10. Past successes and measured outcomes about your organization’s efforts and impact on the community.

Click here to view grants currently accepting applications from nonprofits.
Archived Grant Examples:
Community Impact Grant
Performing Arts Grant Program
Opal Apple Youth Make a Difference Grant

Grants for Small Businesses (For-Profits) Typically Require:

1. Documents to verify your business registration in your state.
2. A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number (formerly known as DUNS). This number is the primary means of identification with the federal government.
3. Employer/Tax Identification Number (EIN).
4. Revenue requirements (i.e., more than $50,000, less than $ 1 million).
5. The business has been in operation for a certain amount of time (usually at least 2 years).
6. Two years of tax returns and financial audits/statements.
7. A certain staff makeup.
8. A business plan.
9. Measured outcomes about the impact your business has had in your community.
10. An active website promoting the business.

Click here to view grants currently accepting applications from small businesses.
Archived Grant Examples:
Galaxy of Stars Grant (Women, Minority Business Owners and Entrepreneurs)
Johnnie Walker First Strides Grant Program (Grants and In-Kind Support to Women-Owned Businesses)
Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund Grant Program

Grants for Individuals Typically Require:

1. Being a resident or citizen of a particular county, state, or county.
2. Being of a certain age.
3. Possibly being required to be a member.*
4. A recent tax return.*
5. Be in a specified income bracket.*
6. Have a minimum amount of capital.*
7. Specific profession or education level*
8. Having a specific gender, race, or orientation*
9. Having a specific disability or disease.*
10. Has not received the same grant previously.*
    * denotes this may be required depending on the type of grant you apply for.

Click here to view grants currently accepting applications from Individuals.
Archived Grant Examples:
Career Development Grant
Arts and Sciences Award Program
Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant (for Artists)

So, What Else Can You Expect?

Most funders receive so many grant applications, they’re more likely to look for reasons to eliminate an application from consideration. That is why if your application doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements, it will not be read and you will be met with disappointment.

Once you have acquired the necessary information and documents, it is time to move on to the grant writing portion of your grant proposal. Subsequently, your grant proposal is essentially your ‘application’. However, it is more similar to an essay rather than a questionnaire. You will need to provide details about why, how and what you propose to do with the funding.

Every grant proposal will be different, so you will need to tailor your proposal to meet the requirements of the funding source. You may be able to reuse some sections, but it is unlikely you will be able to reuse the whole grant proposal for other grants to which you apply.

In conclusion, we wish you luck on your grant-seeking journey!

With close to 8,000 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Additionally, upgrade to a MemberPlus+ plan to view the full details of current grants, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page, and to see the great value with the top 20 GrantWatch features, click here.