Budget Information for Federal Grant Programs

Standard Form 424-A, the budget summary for non-construction programs, is an important part of the federal government's common grant application package. Federal grants expert Henry Flood shows how to fill out the form correctly.

Congressional Proposal for Grant Flexibility

The "Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act" promises to produce more uniform applications and simplified reporting requirements for federal grants. Recce Rushing of OMB Watch analyzes the draft legislation.

Contracts vs. Grants

Grants and contracts are sometimes confused, creating misconceptions about the obligations they entail. Veteran grants manager Henry Flood explains the difference, both legally and practically.

Essentials of Grants Management: A Guide for the Perplexed

Grants managers serve many masters. They must facilitate the work of program staff while ensuring that every obligation to a funding source is being met. It's a job that takes on special importance when dealing with government grants, which have strict compliance and reporting requirements. Veteran grants administrator Henry Flood shows how to set up the necessary record-keeping apparatus, quality review procedures, and other systems needed to stay on top of the job.

Federal Grantmaking: The Long View of History

In creating his new Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, George W. Bush continued the practice of using federal grantmaking as an instrument of change. Barbara Floersch looks at this latest chapter in the ongoing saga of federal funding and places it in historical context. She reviews the impact of government grants from the earliest days of the republic through the New Deal and the Great Society, to the New Federalism and Devolution.

Federalism, Block Grants and the Safety Net

Now that "welfare reform" is a done deal, open-ended funding for entitlement programs is being replaced by block grants – specific appropriations that the states can use at their own discretion within broad federal guidelines. What will be the impact of these historic changes? A new study by the RAND Corporation weighs the anticipated gains and the potential losses.

Financial Reporting Obligations of Federal Grant Recipients

Federal grants are seldom disbursed in a single lump sum. To receive payments, grantees must submit periodic requests. They must also submit regular financial status reports, demonstrating that grant funds are being expended in a reasonable and timely way. Federal grants expert Henry Flood describes the six standard financial reporting forms and outlines their requirements.

Getting and Managing a Construction Grant

The federal government may not be as generous with construction funding as it once was, but many departments still award these grants for various purposes. Federal grants expert Henry Flood tells what's available and what to watch out for when applying. He also offers a blueprint for managing the grant once you have it.

Grant Tracking and Compliance Management

Every grant award requires a process for tracking project activities and demonstrating compliance with the grantmaker's conditions. Grants awarded by federal agencies are likely to have especially rigorous compliance and performance requirements, raising numerous questions in the minds of grants managers. Veteran grants administrator Henry Flood has compiled a compendium of key resources for finding the answers.

Grants to Faith-Based Service Providers: Promise and Pitfalls

President Bush's plan to boost government support for faith-based groups continues to stir controversy. Sociologist Mark Chaves, who has studied faith-based social services and the impact of earlier "Charitable Choice" legislation, suggests that the Bush initiatives may not be as groundbreaking as they appear to be. Chaves' studies, along with other research sponsored by the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, raise questions about the willingness and capacity of faith-based organizations to assume the increased responsibilities now being envisioned for them.

Grants.gov- Moving Ahead, Slowly

When it was officially launched last December, the government's cross-agency grants portal promised user-friendly, "one-stop shopping for information on applying for all federal grants." Is the new site living up to the promise?

No Mercy from the Margin Police

When an Oregon-based agency's federal grant application was rejected solely because of a formatting glitch, the incident sparked raillery and outrage. Susan Compo reports on the Case of the Narrow Margins.

Purchasing with Federal Grant Funds

If federal grant funds are used to buy goods and services, specific policies and procedures must be followed. Veteran grants administrator Henry Flood explains the rules – and how to apply them in designing a solid purchasing system for your organization.

Understanding Indirect Costs

Many organizations fall short when they try to recover all the costs associated with grant-funded programs. Henry Flood and Richard W. Phelps explain why it's important to identify indirect costs and they show how to calculate an acceptable indirect-cost rate.

Understanding Single Audits

Entities that receive substantial funding from the federal government are subject to the Single Audit Act, requiring an organization-wide review that includes both financial and compliance components. Veteran grants manager Henry Flood explains the obligations that a single audit entails.

Understanding Standard Form 424

The universal cover sheet for federal grant applications looks simple enough. But since it's the first thing a reviewer reads, it needs to be done exactly right. Government grants expert Henry Flood tells what to look out for, and why it matters.

Understanding the Standard Assurances

Every federal grant application includes a form that binds the applicant to comply with rules covering management, civil rights, research activities and other aspects of how the government's money may be spent. Collectively known as the Standard Assurances, these provisions are more than a mere postscript. Veteran grants manager Henry Flood explains what the Standard Assurances mean— and why you should give them close attention.