Grants - FAQ
Q. I have a project in mind that I would like federal funding for, but I don’t know if there is a federal grant available. Can I reach out to your office for help with this?
A. Absolutely - Team Deluzio can set up a time to speak with you to learn about your funding need and then do research on your behalf to determine if there are federal funds available and/or a grant opportunity that you can apply to.
Q. Does Congressman Deluzio give out grant awards directly? If so, how can I apply?
A. Unfortunately, no. However, Members of Congress may request no more than 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests across all eligible accounts each year, though only a handful may actually be funded. You can learn more about Community Project Funding and requirements for eligibility and application timelines here.
Q. I am applying for a foundation grant and/or a grant through the State of PA. Can you still write a letter of support for my agency?
A. Team Deluzio encourages you to submit a request for a Letter of Support for any funding application that you are interested in discussing with our office. From there, we will establish whether or not it makes sense to provide a Letter of Support. Keep in mind that some grant funding originates at the federal level and then is administered by a PA State Agency, so always research or reach out to us to find out where the original source of funding comes from.
Q. My application was not chosen for funding through a federal grant I applied for - would I be able to find out why and how to do better next time?
A. Many federal agencies do provide this sort of feedback on applications, but not all agencies are able to because of the number of applications they receive. If you were denied and would like an assessment of your application, reach out to my office and we will do our best to connect you with a liaison from the funding agency.
Q. My nonprofit agency is small, and our budget is not very large. Is it true that only large institutions like universities or nonprofits that employ a lot of people received federal grants?
A. This is a common misconception! There are many federal agencies that support smaller nonprofits and institutions. They encourage small-medium-sized agencies and departments to apply and are often very helpful with first-time applicants.
Q. I notice that your office conducts many informational webinars on the topic of grants - is there a way for me to watch ones that you completed already?
A. Yes. To watch the most recent webinars, visit Rep. Deluzio’s YouTube channel. I also encourage you to subscribe to the monthly Guide to Grants Newsletter, which always includes a link to the most recent webinars and alerts to upcoming topics with registration information. You can subscribe to this newsletter here.
Q. What if I am interested in applying for a PA state grant? Where should I go to apply for that?
A. Best practice is to start by visiting the www.PA.gov official website and searching for Grant Opportunities. From there, you will be able to see the various PA State Agencies that are offering grant opportunities. Feel free to reach out to Team Deluzio for further assistance and connections.