Since 2009, the USA Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has played a crucial role in supporting immigrants and immigrant-serving organizations by providing citizenship preparation resources and information. The program has successfully distributed approximately $155 million through 644 competitive grants, benefiting immigrant-serving organizations in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Its impact extends to over 300,000 lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have received assistance in preparing for U.S. citizenship.
Over the years, the program has provided additional opportunities to nonprofit organizations. These opportunities include establishing new citizenship instruction programs, enhancing the quality and reach of existing ones, and delivering ongoing integration services to LPRs entering the United States. Moreover, the grant program has extended support to members or affiliates of national organizations, contributing to citizenship preparation services in communities nationwide and building capacity throughout the country.
What is the USA Funding Application Program?
How to Apply for Grants
The Grants Learning Center is your gateway to the federal grant world. To apply, you need to register an account on the Grants.gov website.
- Go to the Grants Learning Center for an overview of grants.
- Make sure you are eligible before applying.
- Find federal grants that align with your work.
- Sign up with Grants.gov to apply using Workspace.
- Complete and submit your application using Workspace.
- Enter your Grants.gov tracking number(s) for submission status.
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Who is Eligible?
Determining whether you are eligible to apply for and receive a federal grant is very important. If you are not legally eligible for a specific funding opportunity, you would waste a lot of time and money completing the application process when you cannot actually receive the grant.
When considering eligibility, the first step is to know what type of organization you represent (or whether you are applying as an individual). If you already know whether you will apply on behalf of your organization or as an individual, then you are ready to check your eligibility.
There are many types of organizations generally eligible to apply for funding opportunities on Grants.gov. Each type of organization listed in the categories below is a specific search criterion in Search Grants. Individual applicants are welcome too!
1. The National Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program
What is this program?
The National Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program provides funding for comprehensive case management services on a per capita basis to foreign victims of trafficking and potential victims seeking Health and Human Services (HHS) Certification in any location in the United States. The grantees provide case management to assist a victim of trafficking to become certified, and other necessary services after Certification, through a network of sub-awardees in locations throughout the country.
These grants ensure the provision of case management, referrals, and emergency assistance (such as food, clothing, and shelter) to victims of human trafficking and certain family members. They help them gain access to housing, employability services, mental health screening and therapy, medical care, and some legal services, enabling them to live free of violence and exploitation.
Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be:
- A victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons who have received HHS Certification; or
- In the case of child victims, an HHS Eligibility Letter; or
- Potential victims of a severe form of trafficking who are seeking assistance to achieve HHS Certification; or
- Minor dependent children of victims who have received HHS Certification or of potential trafficking victims seeking HHS Certification; and
- Family members in receipt of a derivative T Visa.
You must not be a US citizen who is a refugee who has been granted asylum, who is Haitian, who is Cuban, who is Amerasian, or who is a victim of trafficking.
2. Refugee and Entrant Assistance – State Administered Programs
What is this program?
Needy refugees (and other appropriate individuals) who do not qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid programs, but who meet the income and resource eligibility standards of these programs, are eligible to receive special refugee cash assistance (RCA) and refugee medical assistance (RMA) through the refugee program during their first eight months in the US. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides funding for a broad range of social services to refugees, both through states and in some cases through direct service grants. The purpose is to help refugees obtain employment, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and adjust socially as quickly as possible.
Who is eligible for this program?
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must not be a US citizen who is a refugee who has been granted asylum, who is Haitian, who is Cuban, who is Amerasian, or who is a victim of trafficking.
3. Refugee and Entrant Assistance – Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant Program
What is this program?
The Matching Grant program provides an alternate approach to state-administered resettlement assistance. The program’s goal is to help refugees (and other appropriate individuals) attain self-sufficiency within four months after arrival without access to public cash assistance. Participating agencies agree to match the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) grant with cash and in-kind contributions.
Who is eligible for this program?
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must not be a US citizen, but a refugee who has been granted asylum; one that is Haitian, Cuban or Amerasian; or, one that is a victim of trafficking.
4. Refugee and Entrant Assistance – Wilson/Fish Programs
What is this program?
The purpose of the Wilson/Fish Alternative Program is to provide integrated services and cash assistance to increase refugees (and other Office of Refugee Resettlement populations) prospects for early employment and self-sufficiency. The program also aims to reduce their level of welfare dependence and promote coordination among voluntary resettlement agencies and services providers.
Who is eligible for this program?
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a refugee who was granted asylum and is now a U.S. citizen. You must also be of Amerasian, Cuban, or Haitian heritage, or a victim of trafficking.
5. Refugee and Entrant Assistance – Targeted Assistance
What is this program?
The purpose of the Targeted Assistance program is to provide funding for employment-related and other social services for refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) populations in areas of high refugee concentration and high welfare utilization.
Who is eligible for this program?
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a refugee of Amerasian, Cuban, or Haitian race or ethnicity who was granted asylum and is now a US citizen.
6. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
What is this program?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a Federal agency within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers the nation’s immigration laws relating to immigration benefits and services. USCIS regulates permanent and temporary immigration to the United States. This includes legal permanent residence status, non-immigrant status (e.g., tourists or students), and naturalization.
Who is eligible for this program?
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you may be a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident, or an immigrant or an intending immigrant.
7. Grants to USA Nonprofit Organizations to Advance Immigrant Welfare
Grants of up to $20,000 to USA nonprofit organizations that assist immigrants and specifically address immigrant-related issues. Priority is given to organizations that create innovative solutions for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and unaccompanied crime.
8. Grants to USA Nonprofits and Agencies to Address the Health Needs of Vulnerable Populations
Grants of $50,000 to USA and territories nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and faith-based entities for projects that address the health needs of vulnerable populations. Applicants must submit a proposal prior to submitting a full application.
Here are other Migration and Funding Programs In USA for Migrants Today!
Many funding opportunities are awarded to projects and businesses for general operating expenses and other capital, such as a new building or major pieces of equipment.
Sometimes you can also include inventory, salaries, labor, advertising, marketing, etc. Also remember that most funding is not available for personal expenses or paying off debt, but there are other assistance programs out there to help you out of your situation!
Here are the funding categories you will have access to, with over 20,000 applications to choose from!
