WHAT ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING?
- Gifts are unrestricted funds that have no expectation of a deliverable or financial accounting of the funds given.
- Grants are a legal instrument for transferring money, property, or services to the recipient to accomplish a purpose where the granting agency has limited involvement during the performance of the grant.
- Cooperative Agreements are a legal instrument for transferring money, property, or services to the recipient to accomplish a purpose where the granting agency and university share in the programmatic and technical performance of the grant.
- Contracts are a mutually binding legal relationship that binds the seller to deliver certain specified goods or services (deliverables) in exchange for certain specified consideration (money).
- Service Agreements are smaller contracts with outside funders for services provided by the School of Government. The School has signature authority for these agreements under $100,000 and no longer than 1 year.
For help determining whether a funding opportunity qualifies as a grant, gift, or service agreement, contact Lexi Herndon at lkherndon@unc.edu or 919-843-3528.
WHAT ARE COMMON GRANTING AND CONTRACTING ORGANIZATIONS?
- Foundations: Private grant-making organizations include charitable foundations or nonprofits of varying sizes and interests. Most all of these are overseen by a board of trustees and a staff. Many corporations have formal giving programs that operate similarly to private foundations. Please talk to the School of Government Development Office before contacting any foundation.
- Corporations: Any incorporated business.
- State and Local Governments: State agencies and local governments may offer funds directly or through affiliated nonprofit organizations. State grants and contracts frequently act as distribution vehicles for federal dollars.
- Federal: Federal departments and agencies may offer funds directly or through designated state agencies or quasi-governmental or nonprofit organizations. Federal grants and contracts are frequently the most competitive and complex of the three types of funding opportunities, but are also the largest in terms of dollars awarded. Applications frequently undergo a peer-review selection process.
- Internal: UNC occasionally offers funding for various projects throughout the University.
Almost all granting and contracting organizations adhere to specific purposes and goals, and may restrict the geographic areas and/or types of activities they will support. Read the Websites or application materials carefully. Obtaining funds from these sources may require a long timeline.
WHO CAN HELP WITH MY APPLICATION?
Contact Lexi Herndon at lkherndon@unc.edu or 919-843-3528
