Grant safety and scam prevention
Grants do not cost money. Here is how the scams work.
Do grants cost money to apply for?
Please be wary of online or phone scammers who promise to give you a grant in exchange for money. Grants do not cost money and there are no fees or taxes on a grant to be paid in advance.
GrantWatch is a secure search and listing directory of currently available grants accepting grant applications. We only charge a small subscription fee to use our service. GrantWatch does not give grants or distribute direct cash funding. Never pay an imposter who asks you to pre-pay money for a guaranteed grant or promises money-back for a grant or check.
The single reliable test is direction of payment. Money moves from a funder to a recipient. Any request that reverses that direction, for a processing fee, a release fee, a tax, or a deposit to receive an award, is a scam regardless of how official the request looks. The Federal Trade Commission publishes consumer guidance on government grant scams. FTC: government grant scams.
What does a grant scam look like?
Grant scams share a small number of moves, and recognising any one of them is enough.
- A fee is requested before an award is released.
- You are told you have been awarded a grant you never applied for.
- Payment is requested by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
- The contact implies a connection to a federal department or agency it does not have.
- You are asked for a bank account number so an award can be deposited.
- There is time pressure: the award will be lost unless you act today.
Where can I search for grants for free?
Grants themselves are free to apply for via official government portals; GrantWatch charges solely for search database features.
Federal opportunities are published free on Grants.gov, the federal government's own portal, and no third party is required to apply through it. Most states publish their own grants portal. Foundations publish their programmes on their own websites. None of those routes charge an applicant anything. Grants.gov · USA.gov guide to government grants.
Needs client material — External resource list sign-off
The outbound links on this page point to federal consumer-protection and grant resources. The client should sign off on the final list. No agency seal, emblem or badge is reproduced anywhere on this page: agencies are named in text and linked, which is the only permitted treatment.
Where do I report a grant scam?
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to your state attorney general. ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If a message claims to come from GrantWatch and asks for a payment to release an award, it did not come from GrantWatch. Forward it to support@grantwatch.com.
A note on Visibility Tier badges
Visibility Tier™ Notice: A GrantWatch Visibility Tier™ is based on information provided by the organization at the time of verification and is not an endorsement or guarantee by GrantWatch.
GrantWatch and the government
GrantWatch is an independent private directory and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any government agency.
GrantWatch is a grant listing directory - we are not the funding source. Therefore, we do not approve applications, award grants, or give money.
GrantWatch listings are compiled from public records, including IRS Form 990 filings, funder postings and government announcements. GrantWatch does not issue grants and does not make funding determinations. Eligibility rules, award amounts and deadlines are set independently by each funder and are subject to change.
Listings are provided AS IS. GrantWatch does not warrant that any listing is accurate or complete. You are responsible for verifying grant deadlines and eligibility requirements directly with the funder before you apply. Read the full terms.