Who's Who in the Federal Grant Policy-Making Community
The Federal policies that determine your application workflow – from eligibility and applying to winning an award and reporting on your program outcomes – didn't just materialize in a book full of rules and regulations.
Below, you will find a table breaking down every main body involved in the Federal grant policy-making process – who they are, what they do and what role they play in contributing to grant policy.
Federal Bodies Involved in Grant Policy Formation
| Body | Description | Activities | Role in Grant Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | Senate and House of Representatives | Passes statutes and regulations that are signed into law by the President |
Lays the foundation for Federal grant policy through legislation Appropriates funds to Federal agencies |
| The White House (President of United States of America) | Executive Office of the President |
Ensures that laws are implemented and enforced President serves as head-of-state and commander-in-chief President signs or vetoes legislation from Congress |
Appoints heads of Federal agencies that award grants to applicants Issues Executive Orders relevant to grant policy formation and legislation |
| Office of Management and Budget (OMB) | Largest component of the Executive Office of the President |
Manages the budget development and execution of Federal government departments and agencies Guides their implementation of laws and regulations |
Issues circulars with guidance for grant-making agencies, such as the "Uniform Guidance" that was implemented in 2014 Receives recommendations from the Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR) |
| Grant-making Federal departments and agencies | Bodies that serve and protect the public and receive funding from Congress |
Run programs that serve the public Assist Congress in the drafting of regulations |
Award grants with funds from congressional appropriations under the direction of the agency head Create agency-specific, grant-related policies (internal and external) based on guidance from OMB |
| Government Accountability Office (GAO) | Investigative organization that reports to Congress |
Audits and generates reports on work done across the Federal government Ensures that taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently |
Publishes occasional reports on Federal grant policy |