The OpenGrants Blog
Notes From The Grant Economy
Funding programs, eligibility, and the craft of winning — written from the data in the OpenGrants database.
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FeaturedGrant Seekers
Too Big to Apply, Too Small to Qualify
Eight open records screen your finances before your program: a cash-on-hand ratio, an expense floor, an income ceiling, and a cap set by your own budget.
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View all 1,285 articles· RSSGrant SeekersWhat an Application Limit Actually CountsA cap on how often you can apply has two variables: what gets counted — applications, awards or dollars — and when the counter resets.September 14, 2026Grant SeekersYour Project Can Be Too Small to FundListings advertise a ceiling. Many also carry a floor — a minimum award, a fixed price, or a spending threshold — that screens out the small project.September 13, 2026Grant SeekersWho Owns It Decides Who Can ApplyOn improvement grants eligibility runs through a property interest — and when you do not hold it, whoever does must sign, match, or qualify first.September 13, 2026Grant SeekersThe Grant Ceiling Set by Your Last Fiscal YearYour maximum request is often computed from your own financials — a share of contributions, of the project, of a documented loss — and the lowest test wins.September 13, 2026Grant SeekersYour Grant Application Has a Second DeadlineOpen records where your form goes to a State Forester, a state agency or a sponsor first — and their deadline, not yours, is the one that files it.September 12, 2026Tips And ResourcesThe Cost-Share Grant You Lose by WinningCalifornia's cost-share solicitations refuse retroactive requests. Open programs show four different clocks governing when you may ask for match money.September 11, 2026Tips And ResourcesThe Overhead Line Changes the Award SizeEight open records show award ceilings quoting four different quantities — a capped rate, an inclusive total, direct costs only, or no overhead at all.September 11, 2026Funding FridayFunding Friday — September 11, 2026: When the Applicant Is Not the BeneficiaryFive open programs where the money is aimed one step to the side — at an intermediary, a plan, a volunteer, or a partner in another state.September 11, 2026Tips And ResourcesWhen the Award Is a Van, Not a CheckSeven open programs where winning gets you a vehicle, a pallet of surplus, or somebody's time — and the four questions that changes about applying.September 9, 2026Tips And ResourcesBetween the Deadline and the First DollarSeven open records where months or years separate the application from the first spendable dollar — four different gaps, only one of which you can negotiate.September 9, 2026Tips And ResourcesThe Grant That Only Pays for the PlanNine open records split one project into separate planning, development and construction grants — and winning the first puts you in line for nothing.September 8, 2026Tips And ResourcesOne Project, Five Separate Grant ApplicationsOn eight open federal research listings the unit of application is a team, and one partner's missing filing can administratively withdraw the whole set.September 8, 2026