Before you are able to understand everything there is to know about grants, you must make yourself familiar with the various grant related terms. Understanding these will sure help make your grant searching easier.

1. 501c3

A non-profit organization recognized as charity. Many grant making agencies require grant applicants to be 501c3s.

2. Application package

An electronic file that includes all forms needed for a specific grant application such as project narrative, budget, etc. It also contains information about the issuing agency, the opportunity, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, the opening and closing dates for the grants, and the agency’s point of contact. Every grant making agency has its own application package.

3. Budget

A quantitative plan of activities and programs expressed in terms of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses.

4. CFDA number

A unique number created in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) database. It traces all domestically-funded Federal programs available to state and local governments.

5. Demonstration grant

A grant given to organizations or groups to help establish an innovative project or program to serve as a model. If it succeeds, others may replicate the project.

6. Designated fund

A restricted type of fund held by a community foundation where the usage of funds is strictly specified by the grant making agencies.

7. Disability Grant

A grant given to individuals with physical or mental disability who are no longer fit to work or gain employment.

8. Donation

A gift to a fund or cause, typically for charitable reasons.

9. DUNS number

A unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) for organizations applying for Federal grants.

10. Educational grant

A grant meant to fund educational institutions or non-profit organizations focused on: catching the interest of students and enhance their performances in Science, Mathematics, Technology and other related fields, improving the skills, knowledge and abilities of institution’s faculty members, encouraging local and national educational reforms, carrying out pilot programs or research in the areas of Science, Mathematics, or Technology Education in all levels, and developing instructional materials to generate network of information on services for education.