Over 50 federal agencies distribute grants to more than 131,000 recipient organizations for more than 1,900 grant programs. Each has its own application and award process, which can be “difficult to navigate,” said Michigan Senator Gary Peters in testimony about a year ago.

That’s an understatement. Localities (especially smaller communities which don’t have the resources to maintain a staff responsible for finding and applying for grants) can find the administrative costs associated with receiving grant money such a large barrier that some worthwhile projects never even go after funding that could help them get started in the first place.

Help may be on the way, as the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget released updated guidance to grant-seekers to help ease the way through the currently torturous grants process.

According to a release from OMB, “These updates to what is known as the Uniform Grants Guidance will streamline and clarify requirements for Federal funding. This will mean that recipients can invest in mission outcomes rather than in administrative overhead, while ensuring Federal agencies can effectively safeguard taxpayer resources. These changes will allow agencies and recipients of Federal funds to focus more time and money on delivering meaningful results for the American people.”

According to the National Council of Nonprofits, “the revisions to the OMB Uniform Guidance, which becomes effective October 1, 2024, address longstanding problems in recovering actual costs, advance equity by removing bureaucratic barriers, and make other significant reforms that will reduce burdens and costs of seeking, performing, and reporting on federal grants.”

Among the changes outlined, according to the OMB release, are to:

• Instruct “agencies to make grant announcements as clear and concise as possible. This will make it easier for eligible recipients, including in underserved communities, to access critical funding.”

• “Reduce unnecessary compliance costs. The Guidance will modify numerous requirements to simplify compliance. For example, the updates reduce the number of additional “prior approvals” that recipients must receive from Federal agencies for spending money on specific activities.”

• “Clarify “ambiguous terms so that recipients can comply with the same requirement in the same way, regardless of funding source. It also increases focus on the importance of data and evaluation in program development and implementation.”

• Clearly communicate “in plain language (including with a new Executive Summary section) only the essential information that is needed for applicants to understand program objectives and application requirements.”

• “Ensure assistance serves intended communities. Communities most in need of assistance are often least able to navigate the complex processes of applying for grant opportunities. Eliminating the requirement to use English language in notices, applications, and reporting will make grants more accessible to everyone.”

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