For organizations considering federal grant opportunities as part of their broader funding strategy, preparation is essential. This page focuses specifically on federal discretionary funding processes, though many of the preparation principles may also apply to state or other competitive funding programs.

As public, non-profit, and community organizations assess whether to apply for federal funding, there are generally two approaches. The first is reactive—preparing an application in response to a formal agency announcement or notice of funding. Given staff capacity constraints and competing priorities, many local governments understandably operate this way.

Effective preparation, however, supports stronger applications and more disciplined investment planning. Establishing systems and clarifying roles in advance can reduce risk, improve coordination, and align funding pursuits with long-term project strategy.

Set Up Your Systems

All federal funding applicants must maintain active registrations in Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov in order to apply. Organizations must obtain a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) through SAM.gov. These account registrations can sometimes take up to 8 weeks to process.

Don’t wait until a deadline is approaching. If your organization may pursue federal funding, ensure these systems are active and accessible now.

Applicants may also find it helpful to review available registration tutorials and walkthrough videos provided on (A) to better understand account setup and submission requirements.

Prepare Strategically

With advance planning—before a funding announcement is released—you can position your organization to submit more coordinated and competitive applications. This shifts the process from reactive to proactive and helps ensure funding pursuits align with project readiness and long-term investment priorities.

Three strategies that support proactive preparation include:

• Shortlist Programs of Interest
• Create a Project “Pitch” to Get Buy-In
• Develop an Outline for the Grant Application Before the Announcement

As you consider whether your organization should pursue or support federal funding applications, you may find it helpful to understand potential roles of key stakeholders involved.

Click “Next” to explore strategies that support proactive preparation for competitive funding applications.