Grant terms, in plain English
The words that appear in funding announcements and nowhere else, explained by what they actually cost you if you get them wrong.
990-PF
The tax return every private foundation files. It lists every grant they paid, to whom, and for how much — which is how you find out who really funds work like yours instead of guessing.
CFDA / Assistance Listing
The number identifying a federal program. Two opportunities sharing a CFDA number come from the same program, so their past winners tell you about both.
Equivalency determination
A written finding that a non-US organization is the equivalent of a US public charity. It is how many US foundations fund overseas without a fiscal sponsor.
Fiscal sponsor
An organization that already holds 501(c)(3) status and applies on your behalf, holding and administering the funds. A normal arrangement, not a workaround.
Indirect cost rate
The percentage a funder allows for overhead. A low or absent rate means the grant does not cover the cost of running the organization that delivers it.
Letter of inquiry (LOI)
A short pitch a foundation asks for before inviting a full proposal. Being asked for a full proposal is the actual win.
No-cost extension
More time to spend money you already have, without more money. Worth asking about before a spend-down deadline, not after.
NOFO / FOA
Notice of Funding Opportunity, or Funding Opportunity Announcement. The document that states exactly who may apply and what they must submit.
Preselected recipients box
A checkbox on the 990-PF where a foundation declares it only funds organizations it has already chosen. Around seven in ten tick it.
Reg CF
Regulation Crowdfunding — the SEC rules for selling equity to the public. Not a grant: you are selling ownership.
SAM.gov / UEI
The federal register every grant applicant must be in, and the unique identifier it issues. Free, takes weeks, and nothing federal can be submitted without it.
Set-aside
A program reserved for a category of applicant — small business, woman-owned, tribal, HUBZone. The competition is smaller by design.
Spend-down
Using the award inside its period. Unspent funds are often returned.
Unrestricted funding
Money you may spend on anything, including rent and salaries. Rarer and far more useful than project funding.