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Grant Services
Welcome to Our Comprehensive Grant Services
Understanding and gaining access to potential grant funding for the public benefit portions of your project could be a game-changer. Grants can contribute non-dilutive capital to your project funding strategy when the match is just right between project and funder, and they meet over the story told in the application.
That's where we come in. Our expertise lies in researching and matching your project with the right funding opportunities, leading to successful outcomes. At Engineered Tax Services, we specialize in making federal, state and private grant funding accessible to all qualified organizations, including nonprofits, municipalities, and some small businesses.
Our mission is to help you create social and public value using these funds.
What are grants?
Grants are a type of funding provided by the government and private entities that do not require a payback by the grant recipient. In seeking grant funding it is important to remember this type of capital is typically based on the goods or services providing a public benefit.
Government grant funding is an essential economic tool used to help financially support ideas, projects, and businesses that intend to create social and public value through the use of these dollars.
In private grant funding the intent for use of funds is at the sole discretion of the grant funder.
Are There Grants For My Project?
Getting Started With Strategic Research
Grant Writing Services
Is My Project Ready for Grant Funding?
Yes, when you have the following:
- Full project description or well-defined plan
- Budget detailing expenses that need funding
- A clear understanding of the project’s public or societal good
- The organization’s financials for the past 2-3 years
- The following are great candidates to consider grant funding:
- Municipalities
- Nonprofit organizations
- Small business in need of funding for research and development
- Especially in the following grant funded sectors:
- Energy Transition
- Veterans Affairs
- Mental Health
- Land and Animal Conservation
- Municipal Projects
- Research & Commercialization
Who is eligible for Grants?
| Federal Grants | State/Local Grants | Private Grants | |
| Small Businesses | √ | √ | √ |
| Public Housing Organizations | √ | √ | √ |
| Educational Organizations | √ | √ | √ |
| For-Profit Organizations | √ | √ | √ |
| NonProfit Organizations | √ | √ | √ |
| Government Organizations | √ | √ | √ |
Grant Funding Resources
Explore the following trusted sources to find potential grant funding opportunities:
How ETS Assists Securing Grant Funding for Your Project?
While grant funding is meant to be accessible to everyone it is an extremely time consuming and detailed process, below are some of the steps ETS Grant Services will take to help secure funding.
- Search multiple databases (federal, state, local, private) to find the grants your business and projects are qualified to apply
- Select the appropriate opportunities, in some cases you will have to submit a Letter of Intent before you are invited to apply
- Apply - include any documentation required of the grant such as business outline, project details, financials, additional support, etc
- This process can require a back and forth with the funding opportunity until all required documentation is received
- Be sure to include wording and references that are of importance to the funding source
- Many of these grants are highly competitive so having as much advocacy and support as possible is important
- Remain diligent in following up about the status of your application - funding cycles and requirements may change - you’ll want to remain diligent in following this process for every grant you apply to
- Follow up about why your project is best positioned to receive the funding
- Once awarded you will need to follow the funding process to take in the funds
- Keep detailed records of how funding is used
- Submit detailed reports on use of funds, status of the project. Depending on the business or the project this can be a multi-year process
Get Started Today With Our Grant Application Assistance
Whether you're developing a physical space, a certified minority-owned business, a scaled non-profit looking for operational funds or any other business with a social benefit component, we're here to help you access qualified funds and increase impact. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist with your grant needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions about grants, eligibility, and our services.
Are grants free money?
There is a common misconception that grants are essentially free money, but this is not the case. In reality, grants are considered “fee for performance funding.” This form of funding has existed for decades and focuses on helping communities and organizations provide a clear and measurable service, solve an agreed upon social problem or contribute to the common good.
Who is eligible for grants?
Your organization may be eligible for grants if (1) you are proposing a project that will provide a tangible public benefit and (2) you already have access to some, but not all, of the funding needed to complete this project. Many grants are targeted toward nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and public entities such as municipalities. Some grants are available for business, particularly those that are in the research and development phase of a public benefit project. Businesses that are good candidates for grants may be in need of additional funding to complete research and development before they can move on to commercialization.
What does “public benefit” mean?
When we say that grant funding is available for projects with a “public benefit” component, we are referring to the positive outcomes of projects realized through clear and measurable service. A “public benefit” project or initiative will work toward solving an agreed upon social problem, thus contributing to the common good. When funding sources announce their intention to provide grants, they will name the specific problems they want to solve, explain how they would like them solved and define who is qualified to solve them.
What are ETS Grant Services’ core competencies and realistic award ranges?
ETS Grant Services has experience and specialization in the following industries:
| Industry | Description | Realistic Award Range |
|---|---|---|
| Municipalities | State and local governments | Between $75,000 and $2 million |
| Small businesses | In Phase I of research and development | Around $250,000 |
| In Phase II of research and development | Around $1 million | |
| Governmental entities | Program- and project-specific opportunities | Between $100,000 and $5 million |
| Nonprofits | Project-specific opportunities | Between $50,000 and $1 million |
What are the advantages of hiring a grant writer/researcher?
Searching for and applying for grants is a very time-consuming process. Hiring professionals will save you time to focus on the work you do and provide you with invaluable guidance from seasoned experts in the complicated world of grants.
How much funding can I expect to receive from grants?
Award amounts vary greatly depending on the funders providing them, but as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to receive 35-50% of your total project costs in grant funds.
How soon should I expect to receive grant funds, if awarded?
The timeline for grant funding largely depends on the funder. Generally, you should expect a wait of at least three to six months. It can occasionally take upwards of a year to receive funding and may require multiple phases of a project.
Can success fees be reimbursed by grant funds after they are awarded?
Federal and state funding will often allow success fees to be covered by grant funds. However, this is not typically the case for foundation funds. It is typical that a 6-10% admin fee can be used to reimburse for grant services, in compliance with all the rules and regulations of each grant award. This depends largely on what the sponsor chooses to allow.
Can grant funds be used to cover the upfront cost of hiring ETS Grant Services?
In short, no. Although it is true that grant funding can often be used to reimburse success fees, the upfront cost of retaining ETS Grant Services must be paid by the client themselves. This initial fee goes toward covering the labor involved in researching and developing proposals, which is an in-depth process.
If I receive grant funding, how can I represent it in my financials? Do I need to file it on my income taxes?
Because each project is unique, the answer to this will vary. In general, you will need to acknowledge the funds on your income taxes, but you should confer with your CPA on the best tax strategy for your specific situation.
Download: Grant Services Flyer
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