The following sample grant application to a state arts council is typical of government grant forms: it requests some special codes specific to the agency and gives little room for a project description. Note that the application not only asks specifically who will benefit from the project, but also lists the state assembly and senate districts in which the project will take place. This type of information is critical for the council’s record-keeping and to justify expenditure of taxpayer money.

Forms such as this one, which was on a council website for download as a Word document, are rapidly becoming historical relics. Government agencies are moving faster than other funders to online grant application submission. The online forms will all be different, but each will require you to describe your organization and project in a limited number of words, fill in contact information, and provide basic information such as total budget and project cost. Many will also allow you to attach a fuller description of your project.