Investigative Report

Investigative Report:

The Federal Register and The Foundation Center

L28179070

HLTH 553 B03

I conducted an investigative report on the Federal Register and the Foundation Center during the week of August 28, 2017. These are two resources designed to assist organizations in acquiring grant dollars. The following are my findings:

The Federal Register

What is it?

Where does one find it?

1. The Federal Register is a resource that publishes current and archived governmental publications. Every year, all current regulations by the United States executive departments and agencies of the federal government are organized into the bound volumes of the Code of Federal Regulations which is the systematization of regulations or administrative laws, as well as permanent and general rules published. These publications are classified as either presidential documents, rules, proposed rules, or notices.

Why does it exist?

1. The Federal Register is located online, and the physical location is in Washington, DC. One observation I made while researching the location is that the mailing address is different from the physical address. The physical address is to be used only for appointments, messenger pickup and delivery, and viewing documents for Public Inspection which is the public’s ability to preview the original documents that are scheduled for the next day’s issue of the Federal Register.

Who authorized or sponsored it?

1. During the Great Depression which lasted from 1929-1939, executive branch agencies inherited increased power to regulate legislation. At the time, there wasn’t a standardized method or centralized systematic process to keep other federal agencies, as well as the public informed of legislation that was active and enforceable. As a result, an agency unknowingly attempted to enforce a revoked regulation through the Supreme Court. Because of that debacle, the Federal Register was established as the official daily publication that also provided a central location for public inspection. Since its inception, this resource continues to be a beneficial tool, and as I was conducting my research, I thought about how pragmatic this tool would have been in 1863 after President Lincoln’s executive order the Emancipation Proclamation which was effective but not completely enforced until June 19, 1865.

When searching for grant monies, in my opinion, this site isn’t very user-friendly at first glance. However, it does provide a “reader aid navigation” that includes a tutorial and other useful resources. This site is where all federal grants are listed and all potential applicants must be registered to be eligible to apply. I do like that this site affords the opportunity for anyone to see which federal grants are available, the amount of each grant along with other details to execute the grant writing process. I also noticed that it publishes the awardees of the grants which could prove to be helpful to smaller organizations seeking funding to implement respective programs on a smaller scale. The site is free to navigate, and users also have the option to sign up at no cost. This will most likely enable the site to be more accommodating because you have the option of receiving relevant notifications, as I previously stated. I utilized much of the information from the website to develop this report.

1. In 1935, Congress authorized the Federal Register Act which collaborated with the Government Printing Office and the National Archives and Records Administration. These two entities print and distribute daily and manage and maintain the documents, respectively.
2. How does one access the data from it?
3. When accessing the data from the Federal Register, these publications are categorized under the following six sections: money, environment, world, science and technology, business and industry, and health and public welfare. As aforementioned, each document is labeled either presidential document, rule, proposed rule, or notice. There are several ways to obtain information from the Federal Reserve. I believe it’s easier to navigate the electronic records from the online website (www.federalregister.gov). This method expedites your search and is proven to be more convenient. Through electronic access, you are also able to receive daily notifications regarding the subject matter of relevance to you. There are also approximately eight Federal Register publications in print that are accessible to the public. This data is compiled annually and is not the most recent; however, it is another way to access the data. Another method is to physically visit the National Archives which is the location of the Office of the Federal Register. This may prove to be useful to some because you are able to get personal assistance and questions answered immediately.

The Foundation Center

I found the Foundation Center to be very practical and uncomplicated. There are a plethora of funding opportunities that can be searched and navigated through the six routes on the website. Grants from federal government agencies are also available. This site provides grant information not only for organizations but also individuals. Additionally, the Funding Information Network is attainable. I input my zip code and discovered that there were 10 network locations within the range of 14 to 110 miles of my locale. A unique feature of this website is a live chat option. Although it is not available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is accessible during standard operational hours. I utilized much of the information from the website to develop this report.

1. What is it?
2. The Foundation Center is a non-profit organization that serves as a centralized monetary resource to other non-profit social organizations and individuals. Ideally, these organizations will utilize the monies to support their communities and surrounding areas.
3. Where does one find it?
4. The Foundation Center has five physical locations: New York, NY; Atlanta, GA, Cleveland, OH, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC. The main office is located in New York. It also has over 400 Funding Information Network locations in which a core collection of Foundation Center publications and a variety of supplementary materials to individuals who are seeking funding are available. The Foundation Center can also be found online at www.foundationcenter.org.
5. Why does it exist?
6. The Foundation Center exists today as a centralized transparent philanthropy-oriented organization in response to a counter defense against the federal government in the 1950’s regarding the expenditures and operations of private foundations.
   • Who authorized or sponsored it?
   • The Foundation Center is sponsored by private foundations and individual donors. It is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
   • How does one access the data from it?
   • To access the data from the Foundation Center, you have to first purchase one of the two available subscriptions with the higher priced subscription providing complete access to the system. There are six means to retrieve grant information. You can search by the headings: grantmakers, grants, companies, and 990’s. You can also conduct a power search or utilize the beta program Pathways. To search grant, data I was also able to search by the subject relevant to the project’s focus

References

1. Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/. Accessed September 2, 2017.

2. Foundation Directory Online. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/. Accessed September 2, 2017.