Here is a short list of sources, examples, and databases that can help you identify both private and public funding options for your family engagement initiatives:
Federal Funds
There are many sources of monies from departments, offices, bureaus and centers at the federal level. For instance, the U.S. Department of Education confers Title 1 funds and Investing in Innovation (i3) grants that can be used to fund school-sponsored programs like FAST®. Numerous specialized programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Safe Schools/Healthy Students, are administered through agencies such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Examples of federal sources that have funded FAST® implementation:
- Promise Neighborhood Grant
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- United States Department of Education
- Safe Schools/ Healthy Students Grant
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
- Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools
- Connected Youth Grant
- Strengthening Families Grant
The following databases can help you to search for available federal grants:
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a government-wide compendium of Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and non-financial assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the Federal government.
- Grants.gov: This site includes grant opportunities notices posted in the most recent seven days, links to grant application packages, and resources such as proposal writing information.
State Funds
Organizations can gain support for FAST at the state level through grants and programs administered through departments focused on education, health, or human resources; offices for children and families; child welfare funds; foster care block grants; and other funds focused on children’s well-being.
Examples of state-level funding sources:
- Texas Department of State Health Service
- Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Sample database:
- Wisconsin.gov: Start here for links (organized by topic) to state government, education, business, and other information resources, with its links to city, county, and local government and community web sites in Wisconsin.
County/Municipal/School District Funds
Support for FAST Programs can be found throughout county and municipal governments. Sources include city or county health departments, juvenile departments and youth bureaus, parenting funds, child and family services, drug prevention and treatment agencies, and mental health commissions.
Examples of municipal/county/school district funding sources:
- County Mental Health
- City of San Antonio
- City of Jackson-Community Development Block Grant
- San Antonio Independent School District
- Clinton Elementary School Counseling Program
Sample database:
- Mass.gov: The Municipal Grant Finder provides a central location to learn about state grant opportunities for cities and towns, regardless of which state agency manages a grant program.
Foundations
Private, community, and corporate foundations are the source of billions of dollars annually. Many focus on solutions to specific problems or challenges, others prefer to support causes located in communities where the organization has a physical presence, such as their headquarters, manufacturing plant or a retail location.
Example foundations that have funded FAST:
- Annie E. Casey Foundation
- Duke Endowment Fund Grant
- Local Investment Commission (LINC)
- Humana Foundation
- Madison Community Foundation
- Allergan Foundation
Sample databases (restricted access, available at public libraries):
- Foundation Directory Online: An online database from the Foundation Center, the nation’s leading authority on philanthropy, grants and giving. Includes information on over 100,000 private and corporate foundations, direct corporate givers, and grant-making public charities.
- Philanthropy In/Sight: Combines the Foundation Center’s grant data and Google maps. Users can create maps that reveal patterns of giving and funding relationships, and can overlay grant data with demographic, socioeconomic, and other data sets.
- COS Pivot: Offers up-to-date and complete descriptions private and federal funding sources. Great for grants outside of the sciences too!
- GrantSelect : Provides information on over 14,000 grants available to both individuals and organizations from 5,900 federal, state, and local governments, commercial organizations, associations, and private foundations.
Umbrella Funding Sources
An umbrella organization is an association of (often related, industry-specific) institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources.
Example of an umbrella funding source:
- United Way: FAST providers have received funding from a multitude of different United Way operations across the country.
In-Kind
Many providers of FAST are able to secure in-kind donations by working with local businesses to secure support to fund program materials as well as resources for the family meal.
Other Funding Resources: