Official grant sources: the free government portals worth bookmarking
Every link below goes to an official government or established nonprofit source. All are free to use. You never need to pay anyone to search them, register on them or apply through them.
Last checked October 29, 2026. Each link was opened and confirmed to load. American Grant Association is a private service, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with any site listed here.
Federal grants
- Grants.gov (search all federal grant opportunities) — The official, free portal where federal agencies post discretionary grant opportunities for organizations.
- Simpler.Grants.gov search — A newer, simpler search interface for the same federal opportunities.
- SAM.gov (entity registration and UEI) — Free registration required before an organization can receive a federal award. Never pay a third party to register.
- Assistance Listings on SAM.gov — Descriptions of every federal assistance program (formerly the CFDA).
- USAspending.gov — See who has received federal grants and how much, useful for researching past awards.
Individuals
- USAGov benefit finder — The official tool for finding federal and state benefits for individuals and families.
- USAGov: government grants and loans — Plain-language explanation of what grants individuals can and cannot get.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — Pell Grants and other federal student aid start with the free FAFSA.
Housing
- HUD: find local help — Rental assistance and housing programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- USDA Rural Development — Rural housing, home repair, business and community programs.
Small business
- SBA: grants — What the SBA does and does not fund with grants.
- SBIR.gov — Federal R&D funding for small businesses (SBIR and STTR).
- SBA local assistance finder — Free counseling from SBDCs, SCORE and Women's Business Centers.
- MBDA business centers — Minority Business Development Agency programs and centers.
Veterans
- VA Veteran-owned small business support — VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
Nonprofits
- Candid (Foundation Directory and learning) — Research on foundations and funders; many public libraries offer free access.
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search — Check 501(c)(3) status of an organization or funder.
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Free Form 990 search to research foundations and what they fund.
Arts and humanities
- National Endowment for the Arts — Federal arts grants for organizations and some individual fellowships.
- National Endowment for the Humanities — Federal humanities grants.
Research
- National Science Foundation funding — Federal research funding search.
- NIH Grants & Funding — Federal health research funding.
Scam protection
- USAGov: avoid "free money" scams — Official signs of fake government grant offers and where to report them.
- Report fraud to the FTC — Official place to report a grant scam.
- Grants.gov: grant fraud — Federal guidance on grant fraud and scams.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grants.gov free to use?
Yes. Searching and applying on Grants.gov is free. Federal agencies never charge an application fee for a grant.
Can individuals get federal grants for personal bills?
Rarely. Federal grants mostly go to states and organizations. Individuals usually get help through benefit programs; use the USAGov benefit finder to see what you may qualify for.
Do I have to pay to register on SAM.gov?
No. SAM.gov registration and the Unique Entity ID are free. Companies that charge for “SAM registration” are optional third parties, and some are scams.
How do I report a grant scam?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Never pay a fee or share bank details to “release” a grant.
Link to this resource
Teachers, librarians and nonprofits are welcome to link to or share this page. Suggested link text: Official grant sources directory (American Grant Association). For state-level programs see our state grant resources for all 50 states, and check any offer with the grant scam checker.