Pennsylvania Grant & Resource Directory - Pennsylvania House ...

General Guide to Funding Assistance Terms
The information listed below outlines common forms of funding. The list is far from exclusive and should be used as a
general guide:
• Appropriations: State – State appropriations is a four-stage process: gubernatorial submission to the General Assembly;
approval by legislative and executive branches; execution; program evaluation and financial audit. State
funds include the General; Motor License; Banking Department; Boat; Farm Products Show; Fish; Game; Keystone
Recreation, Park and Conservation; Lottery; Racing and Tobacco Settlement. The state government fiscal year begins
July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next calendar year.
Appropriations: Federal – Federal spending requires an annual appropriation bill and presidential approval. Some
federal appropriations are referred to as “earmarks” and are usually large projects that are specifically placed in appropriations
bills for a limited purpose. The federal government’s fiscal year currently begins on October 1 and ends
on September 30 of the next calendar year.
• Corporate Donations: Corporate donors may set aside funds for public relations and philanthropic purposes. Both
the community and the company benefit with this partnership. Goals for philanthropic or company foundations
are located on company websites.
• Grants: Government grants are usually competitive in nature and are administered by state and federal government
entities. States, local governments and nonprofits that fill a compelling social need are eligible entities to receive
government grants. Individuals are not usually eligible unless it is an educational grant or loan, or focuses on
academic research at an institution of higher education.
• Individual benefits: Individual or entitlement programs include Social Security benefits, Veterans Administration
benefits, Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are called “entitlements” because individuals must satisfy
eligibility requirements. The official website www.benefits.gov informs citizens of benefits and what they may be
eligible for.
• Private Foundations: An organization that qualifies for tax exemption under the IRS definition of 501(c)(3) can be
a private foundation. Grantseekers should look at local, state and national private foundations for possible funding.
Grant seekers can review private foundations annual IRS Form 990–PF to get an idea of an organization’s financial
priorities from previous year(s). The IRS must make this information available to the general public. To request a
copy of an application (including all supporting documents), or tax return, an IRS Form 4506A is needed. More
information is available at www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=135033,00.html.
• Procurement: The Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) administers procurement activities
through the Cooperative Purchasing Program or COSTARS program www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/
community/costars/1272. The federal government has a website for more information as well: www.usa.gov/
Business/Business_Gateway.shtml or www.fbo.gov/. Additional assistance is available through the Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers, 1-800-FED INFO or 1-800-333-4636.
PA Grant & Resource Directory
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