Pennsylvania has launched a new one-stop grant search tool that is intended to improve citizen access to government funding opportunities.
The new search tool, which was developed in partnership between the Pennsylvania Office of Administration and the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA), will make it easier for residents, businesses, non-profits, schools, and local governments to find and apply to grant programs from state agencies.
Pennsylvania state agencies distribute billions of dollars in funding each year through over 300 grant programs. However, information about those grant programs has been scattered across multiple websites, which the governor’s office said made it difficult for potential applicants to know what programs are available, whether they qualify, and how and when to apply for them.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office added that posed a particularly acute challenge for small businesses and non-profits that may not have the resources to identify funding opportunities on their own.
The new resource, housed on PA.gov, allows users to search for, sort, and filter information about grants based on the type of applicant, category, application deadline, location, and other criteria. The search results feature links to each program, including information on who the grant funding is intended for, the application process, key dates and deadlines, eligibility criteria, and where to apply.
“We are working to level the playing field for state and federal dollars to benefit communities, small businesses, schools, non-profits, and many others across Pennsylvania,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, we are working to increase participation in these programs for even greater impact across our Commonwealth.”
Prior to developing the new search tool, CODE PA conducted internal and external research to inform the design of the new tool. CODE PA held focus groups with over 100 external grant participants and employees in 24 agencies who administer grant programs.
“One of the themes we heard consistently throughout our interviews with grant participants was the need for a comprehensive way to discover funding opportunities across state agencies and share the information with other interested entities and organizations,” said Bry Pardoe, executive director of CODE PA. “This is a long-awaited tool that directly solves this problem for Pennsylvanians. CODE PA was created to build custom solutions to Pennsylvanians’ problems for a fraction of the cost outside vendors would charge – and we’re proud to continue delivering those solutions.”
