Government

General

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance has information on a wide variety of financial and non-financial assistance programs, projects, services, and activities. The Web site provides access to a searchable database of all federal programs available to state and local governments (including the District of Columbia), federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, and Territories and possessions of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals.

Federal Register

The Federal Register Web site, updated daily, provides access to presidential documents, executive orders, rules, and proposed rules from federal agencies and organizations, and information regarding government-funded projects and funding availability. Visitors to the Web site can search the database in a variety of ways, including using the "browse feature," and detailed instructions and sample searches are provided to facilitate the process.

USA.gov

USA.gov is an initiative administered by the U.S. General Services Administration. It bills itself as "the official U.S. gateway to all government information," and has a powerful search engine that can search 51 million pages of government information. To search for information on funding for the arts, for example, simply enter "art grants" in the search field. Your search will return more than 1,000 relevant results. You can target your searches to federal or state resources, or search them both. You can also browse government information on USA.gov by topic, such as Federal Benefits and Grants.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is a new comprehensive site that calls itself "the electronic storefront for Federal grants." Managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it brings together eleven departments and agencies "for the development of a one-stop electronic grant portal where potential grant recipients will receive full service electronic grant administration." Grant topics are divided into categories such as Agriculture, Education, and Housing. A click on Arts, for example, will lead you to the funding information pages of the National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and others, where you can find guidelines and grant applications online. There are also links to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance and other key government funding sites available.

LSU Libraries Federal Agencies Directory

A partnership of Louisiana State University and the Federal Depository Library Program, the LSU Libraries Federal Agencies Directory is a meta-index of U.S. federal government agencies on the Internet.

National Charter School Clearinghouse

The National Charter School Clearinghouse provides funding and research information on critical issues facing the establishment and operation of charter schools. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the clearinghouse posts articles on a variety of topics, including charter school funding, educational technology, "how-to" resources, and school accountability, along with links to the original sources of these articles. Additionally, a newsletter, updates from the Department of Education, an events calendar, and links to further resources can be found online.

National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts provides national recognition and support to significant projects of artistic excellence, thereby preserving and enhancing the nation's diverse cultural heritage. The Web site provides information about grants, news, publications, and resources for artists, arts organizations and audiences.

OMB Watch's Nonprofits' Policy and Technology

The goal of OMB (Office of Managemnet and Budget) Watch's Nonprofits' Policy and Technology is to improve communication within the nonprofit sector in order to strengthen public policy participation. The Web site provides information about the federal budget, regulatory matters, a data quality resource page, extensive links to related Web sites, reports, and other publications.

Smithsonian Institution

Established in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution is an independent trust of the United States holding more than 142 million artifacts and specimens in trust for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." The institution is also a center for research dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history. The Web site has a wide range of information on the institution's museums, exhibitions, research, and education and outreach programs, including fellowships and internships.

THOMAS: Legislative Information on the Internet

THOMAS: Legislative Information on the Internet is offered by the Library of Congress, providing up-to-date information on the legislative activities of both the House and Senate and searchable databases of current and historical legislative documents from the U.S. Congress. The Web site databases include Bill Text, Public Laws, Bill Summary and Status, the Congressional Record Index, and Committee Reports, along with historical Congressional documents.

United States Small Business Administration

As an independent agency of the U.S. government, the United States Small Business Administration assists small businesses in order to encourage free enterprise and improve the nation's overall economy. Visitors to the Web site can retrieve exhaustive information about a variety of financial assistance programs, including application and instruction forms, some of which can be filled out online.

United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives' Web site provides House schedules, a directory of members, links to House committee and representative Web sites, a searchable database of U.S. Code, the House Internet Law Library, and links to information related to the legislative process.

United States Senate

The United States Senate's Web site provides information about Senate activities and committees, a complete directory of members, the ability to view and track recent floor activity by date, and a legislative events calendar.

Federal Agencies

Administration for Children and Families

The Administration for Children and Families' Web site has information on the vast array of programs and services offered by this division of the Department of Health and Human Services, dedicated to promoting the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.

Administration on Aging

The Administration on Aging is an exhaustive online clearinghouse for senior citizens. The Web site provides a resource directory, statistics on aging, an Eldercare Locator, breaking news, and links to related sites.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides evidence-based information on healthcare outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. The Web site contains information on consumer health, research findings, data and surveys, and quality assessments. The Funding Opportunities section of the Web site includes an overview of AHRQ's research agenda, grant announcements, policy notices, grant award resources, contract solicitations, and research training information.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. The Web site includes comprehensive program and application information for the CDC's many health-related funding opportunities.

Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services' Web site provides consumer and policy information, grants and funding information, employment opportunities, and links to related government agencies.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Among many other resources, the Web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has information about various types of grants, including community development, affordable housing, and research.

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency's Web site includes material on virtually every aspect of U.S. environmental policy and protection, including funding information.

Health Resources and Services Administration

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) works to assure the availability of quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable, and special needs populations. HRSA's Web site provides detailed information about its programs, services, and grant opportunities.

Indian Health Service

Dedicated to raising the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives, the Indian Health Service Web site provides information on the agency's activities, including the Tribal Management Grant Program, and serves as an online resource for Native American communities.

Internal Revenue Service

The highly regarded Internal Revenue Service Web site provides comprehensive tax information, including information for charities and nonprofits, and has a site-wide search engine.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) Web site serves as a comprehensive resource for the arts community and its supporters. The Web site includes information, guidelines, and applications for grants and funding; NEA news and legislative updates; and arts-related features and interviews. In addition, NEA publications-many of which are free-can be ordered or downloaded through the site.

National Endowment for the Humanities

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) supports learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities through its support of research, education, documentaries, exhibits, and other programs that preserve and provide access to cultural resources. The information-packed NEH Web site is a good place to find out about funding opportunities, cultural events, publications, and exhibits.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Web site provides grants information, news releases, upcoming meetings and events, and links to related publications and databases.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the federal government's principle medical and behavioral research agency. The NIH Web site has information about clinical trials, health hotlines, and drugs; grants and funding opportunities; news and events; scientific resources; and NIH centers, institutes, and offices.

National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation's Web site is comprehensive and well-organized, with program information and funding opportunities in biology, computer and information sciences, education, engineering, geosciences, math and physical sciences, polar research, and social, behavioral, economic, and environmental sciences.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Web site includes application guidelines and a listing of recent grants awarded through the Technology Opportunities Program, and the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program.

National Women's Health Information Center

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, the National Women's Health Information Center provides access to information on all areas of women's health. The information on the Web site is obtained from a variety of federal and private sector resources and can be searched by health topic or by keyword. The site includes press releases, a good set of links to online medical dictionaries and journals, a directory of residency and fellowship programs, and a Hot Topics in Congress section which details women's health-related legislation in the U.S. Congress.

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education supports national and international programs in education, training, health, and the environment. The Web site has program and research information, training opportunities, news, and publications.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

The Office of Disability Employment Policy, an office of the Department of Labor, provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment. The Web site provides information about the office's programs and initiatives, including grant opportunities; services information; technical assistance materials; publications; and an extensive list of for-profit companies interested in employing people with disabilities.

Office of Minority Health

The Office of Minority Health's (OMH) Web site provides information on its programs and initiatives and a Resource Center that offers a large amount of easily navigable material, including OMH funding announcements; a searchable funding database; news releases; online publications; requests for proposals; requests for applications; internship, fellowship, and scholarship announcements; additional funding resources; and OMH's newsletter, Closing the Gap.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was established to strengthen the nation's healthcare capacity to provide prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for substance abuse and mental illnesses and serves as the umbrella under which substance abuse and mental health service centers are housed. The Web site has information about SAMHSA's programs, grant funding opportunities, grant planning tools, legislative and policy information, a quarterly newsletter, and employment opportunities.

U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau's sprawling Web site is the source of social, demographic, and economic information about the United States on the Web. Offerings include Census Bureau publications, listed by subject; statistical profiles for states, congressional districts, and counties; current economic indicators; custom state and county maps; and much more.

State Agencies

Nebraska Arts Council

The Nebraska Arts Council promotes the arts, cultivates resources, and supports excellence in artistic endeavors for all Nebraskans. The Web site provides general information about the council's grant programs and application requirements, an artists directory, artists' opportunities, advocacy information, contacts, and links to other art councils, state organizations, and art museums on the Web.

North Carolina Arts Council

The mission of the North Carolina Arts Council is to enrich North Carolina's cultural life by supporting the arts. The council is a catalyst for the development of arts organizations and gives grants, organizational assistance, and guidance to groups and individuals statewide. The council's Web site provides, among other items, program and grant information, news, and a searchable database of artists, arts organizations, and arts events.

North Dakota Council on the Arts

Established in 1967 by the state legislature, the North Dakota Council on the Arts is responsible for the support and development of the arts and artists in North Dakota. In addition to making grants based on recommendations from artists, arts administrators, and board members, the council administers the Cultural Endowment Fund, through which it secures private and public funds to enhance existing programs. The council's Web site provides program information, application instructions, grantwriting tips, arts opportunities, related arts resource links, news, and events.

Ohio Arts Council

Established in l965 to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage," the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) funds programs to make arts activities available to the public and also supports Ohio artists through 25 different grant programs. The coucil's Web site provides information about all OAC programs, complete grant guidelines, a search engine, and links to both state and national arts resources.

South Dakota Arts Council

The South Dakota Arts Council encourages and supports artists, strengthens arts organizations and arts education programs, and increases South Dakotans' awareness of the arts. As a state agency of the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, the council makes grants to schools, individuals, and arts organizations. The council's Web site includes detailed grant application guidelines, a directory of arts festivals, and other resources.