Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a federal resource maintained by the General Services Administration that provides guidance and key resources to help grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance programs.

Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for the U.S. Senate and updated April 2026, it covers key federal funding sources, private and corporate funding options, and how to identify eligible programs. Grantseekers can search active opportunities through SAM. gov and Grants.

gov. Eligibility varies widely by program, and the catalog serves as a central navigation hub for all federal assistance categories.

U.S. Senate: Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance Guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private funding. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for the U.S. Senate, updated April 2026.

How Best to Find Information Key Federal Funding Sources Private and Corporate Funding How Best to Find Information Who is eligible for a Grant? Other government websites may be more suitable for small business assistance , or other business opportunities such as government contracting. If eligible, search for programs .

Includes grants, loans, business and nonfinancial help. Contact federal office given in each program description for more information and for state administering agencies responsible for managing these programs.

Check current federal grants opportunities System for Award Management (SAM), and apply online (links and instructions given at the Additional notices appear at for project funding: use the Foundation Information Network resources in libraries to identify national, state, and Learn how to write grant proposals: Candid Proposal Writing Short Course , or see other tips and sample proposals at How Do I Write a Grant Proposal?

Key Federal Funding Sources Assistance Listings at SAM. gov State Single Points of Contact Assistance Listings at SAM. gov (General Services Administration) Official descriptions of more than 2,200 federal assistance programs (including grants, loans, and other financial and nonfinancial assistance) can be found on SAM.

gov . The website is produced by the General Services Administration (GSA) and it houses federal assistance listings previously found on the now-retired Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Each federal assistance program has a corresponding CFDA program number; these CFDA numbers are still used as numerical program identifiers.

Descriptions are updated by departments and agencies, and they cover authorizing legislation, objectives, and eligibility and compliance requirements. For current notices of funding availability, see (via Dept. of Health and Human Services) Federal grants website that allows eligible grantseekers (see Who is eligible for a Grant?

) to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. Grantseekers can check on notices of funding availability (NOFAs) posted in the last 7 days; access RSS feeds of grant opportunities; and apply for federal grants through a unified process by downloading the application and submitting online.

The website guides grantseekers in registering with System for Award Management (SAM), and registering with Grants. gov to apply and to track applications. Also see the website for additional grants and contracts opportunities.

State Single Points of Contact (Office of Management and Budget) Under Executive Order 12372, some states require federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for state government level review and comment. The state offices listed here coordinate federal financial assistance and may direct federal development.

For help in identifying state-level grants, other state government agencies websites may be found at Related Federal Resources A-Z Index Departments & Agencies (General Services Administration) To better develop a grant proposal, search a department or agency's Home Page to learn more about its programs and Government Benefits, Grants and Loans (Department of Homeland Security) Most Homeland Security non-disaster grant programs are designated for state and local governments and specific entities such as colleges, etc. Unsolicited applications from individuals are generally not accepted.

Includes Urban Area Security Initiative, Citizens Corps, Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden (border security), Infrastructure Protection. . Programs for firefighters may be found at Assistance to Firefighters Includes contracting with the federal government, international trade and exporting, and small business.

See also financial Small Business Administration Federal Contract Opportunities Official website posting business, contracting, and procurement opportunities with the federal government. Search options include an advanced search form for more targeted filtering of (Department of Education) Financial assistance for education beyond high school is generally "needs-based" and often includes loans and work-study, in addition to some grants.

College and university applications, websites, and brochures usually include financial aid information for prospective and incoming students. Government grants are not direct assistance to individuals, but fund state and local programs providing help to those in need. This online screening site can be used to identify state and local government benefits and how to apply.

Covers direct payments, loans, insurance, training, or other services. (Federal Trade Commission) The FTC warns consumers to beware of paying "processing fees" for information that is available free to the public.

Ads claiming federal grants are available for home repairs, home business, unpaid bills, or other personal expenses are often a Grants Management Website (Office of Management and Budget) establishes government-wide grants management policies and guidelines through circulars and common rules. are cited in SAM. gov Assistance Listing program descriptions and may be printed out full text.

Private and Corporate Funding Sources Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grantseeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries with grants reference collections, and links to other useful websites.

Candid maintains a Foundation Directory Online database on foundations; produces print and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational How do I find grants for my nonprofit? Proposal Writing Short Course Foundation Information Network (by state) Check for locations.

Free funding information available in libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit centers nationwide. Grants Resources by State Click on state map to find links to information about a state's foundations, community foundations, corporate giving programs and the state's home page.

There are more than 750 community foundations in the U.S., which are grantmaking public charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. The Council on Foundations has a listing of community foundations by state.

Congressional Research Service reports available to the public: Resources for Grantseekers How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal Small Business Administration: A Primer on Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Searching for Federal Grants: An Overview of Resources Connecting Constituents with Federal Assistance for Businesses