Grants 101 for Tribal Organizations

Grants 101 for Tribal Organizations

Welcome! This guide is for anyone who's new to grants. We'll explain what grants are, where they come from, and how to get started—in plain language.

What Is a Grant?

A grant is money given to your tribe or organization that you don't have to pay back. It's not a loan.

Grants come with rules about how you can spend the money and what you need to report back. But if you follow the rules, the money is yours to use for your community.

Grants vs. Other Funding

Where Do Grants Come From?

Federal Grants (Our Focus)

The U.S. government offers thousands of grants through agencies like:

Federal grants are posted on Grants.gov — GrantsPath indexes all of them.

Why federal matters: Federal grants are often larger and have programs specifically designed for tribal governments. Many require tribal eligibility, which means less competition.

State Grants

GrantsPath also indexes state grant portals in 15 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. State grants appear alongside federal grants in your search results — you can filter by source type to see only state or only federal.

State grants are often smaller and simpler than federal grants. They can be good practice before tackling a big federal application. Some are pass-throughs of federal money distributed at the state level.

The Basic Grant Process

Here's how getting a grant usually works:

Step 1: Find a Grant

Look for grants that match what your tribe needs. GrantsPath helps you search and shows you which grants are a good fit.

Step 2: Check If You're Eligible

Not every grant is open to everyone. Look for grants that list "tribal governments," "Indian tribes," or "Native American organizations" as eligible applicants.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Most applications ask for:

Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline

Deadlines are firm. Missing one by even a minute means your application won't be considered. Plan to submit at least a few days early.

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

This can take weeks or months. If approved, you'll receive an award letter. If not, you can often ask for feedback and try again next year.

Step 6: Do the Work and Report

If you get the grant, do what you promised and submit reports on time. Good reporting helps you get future grants.

Important Terms to Know

Before You Apply: Get Registered

Before you can receive federal grant money, your tribe needs to be registered in a few places:

1. SAM.gov — Get your UEI number here. This is required for all federal grants.

2. Grants.gov — Create an account to submit applications.

3. Your tribe's EIN — Your federal tax ID number.

Registration can take 2-4 weeks, so don't wait until you find a grant to start!

Tips for First-Time Applicants

Start Small

Your first grant doesn't have to be a million-dollar federal award. Consider:

Build a Team

Grant writing is easier with help. Consider who can assist with:

Give Yourself Time

A good federal application takes 4-6 weeks to prepare. Don't rush.

Keep Good Records

Save everything—applications, emails, budgets, reports. Federal audits can happen up to 7 years after a grant ends.

Don't Get Discouraged

Many successful grant-funded tribes were rejected multiple times before getting their first award. Each application teaches you something.

How GrantsPath Helps

GrantsPath is built specifically for tribal organizations. Here's how we make grants easier:

Your Next Steps

Once you're signed in, follow the 6-step journey on your Getting Started page:

1. Find Grants — Search for opportunities that match your community's needs

2. Save Grants You Like — Bookmark the ones that look promising

3. Confirm Your Tribe — Select your tribe from the official federal registry

4. Prepare Your Application — Use prep sheets and AI writing tools to gather and draft your materials

5. Submit at the Agency Portal — Federal grants go through Grants.gov; state grants through the state's portal

6. Keep Records Safe — Store everything securely for the required federal audit window

You've got this. Tribes have been securing their communities' futures through grants for decades. Now it's your turn.

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