Insider Tips for Municipalities Applying for Grant Funding

Local government entities should always have an eye on the federal grant cycle. Federal grants are an excellent vehicle for cities, towns, tribes, and other local government entities to bridge funding gaps and get innovative programs off the ground and completed.
What is the federal government looking for in municipal grant applicants?
1. Know your project! Federal grant makers are looking for well thought out projects that are realistic and address a specific need in innovative ways. This means there are already points of leadership, data collected, and evidence-based methods involved in the process. The location of the project or possible project locations are selected, and you understand the goals of this project and how they will be met.
2. Partnerships! Form partnerships with academic institutions and nonprofit organizations within your community to meet shared goals. Federal grant makers want to see that the community supports the project it will be funding and that there are strategic partnerships to enhance its success.
3. Regional, state, or even nationwide impact. Remember, these are federal grant makers so they are looking for ways to leverage funding in localities to create an impact that extends beyond your municipality. For example, federal transportation grant funding should target roads, railways, and other transportation nodes that have regional or statewide impact on passenger or freight transportation, or supply chain. Think about how enhancing the economy of the municipality impacts the economic health of the region.
At Boyd Grants, we work with municipalities across the country to get the federal funding they need. Let us help you optimize your federal grant application for success! Visit www.boydgrants.com.