1. Applying For State and Federal Grants Carl C. Voss, PhD, RRT MD/DC Society for Respiratory Care

2. What is a 501 C Corporation ? A corporation that has been granted non profit status by the Internal Revenue Service. There are 28 different types of organizations described under 501 of Title 26 of the U.S. code. The well known is the 501(c) It is first incorporated as a normal business under state laws. It then must apply for and receive 501 (c) Most important aspect is that its business profits cannot accrue to its owners. All profits must be reinvested in the business for the specific purposes described in its incorporating documents.

3. What is a grant? A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. Federal grants are not federal assistance or loans to individuals. It may not be used to acquire property or services for the federal government’s direct benefit. The 26 federal agencies offer over 1,000 programs annually in various categories.

4. What is a 501 C Corporation ? The other major aspect of a 501 c corporation is that it undertakes activities of a public purpose. These functions range from charitable and religious causes to those that foster education, retirement funds, and employee unions. Incorporated AARC affiliates quality to be 501 c corporations.

5. How to find grant opportunities Look for grants where the closing dates has not expired. For Federal Grants, “grants.gov” is a great place to start. Put in the topic, ie. Asthma there will be a number of grant opportunities. Most grants will have a brief description of the grant, its intended purpose, how much it is, whether there is a need for matching funds and most important who can apply.

6. How to find grant opportunities You must register to apply for federal grants found in grants.gov. The registration does not cost anything and you don’t need to register to review and download grant offers Some grants require a Duns and Bradstreet number, which is easy to apply for as an affiliate society. Once you locate a grant, it will indicate whether you need to send a letter of intent. This simply alerts the grantor the number of applicants to expect.

7. How to find grant opportunities When writing for your first grant is writing it to the grantor specifications. This becomes easy when it’s a subject you are really interest in or have some research experience.

8. Responding to the grant request Read the grant announcement thoroughly Spell check and proofread you project and have someone else read it as well. Check and double check you dates and budget. Don’t delay in getting started. Don’t be discouraged by the process and the website.