111 - Funding Trends

From 1860 to 1960, federal grants were awarded annually, first increasing to $2.5 billion by 1950, and to $7 billion annually by 1960 for all federal grants. The steep rise in grant funding began shortly thereafter, as follows: $24 billion in 1980; $91 billion in 1990; $200 billion in 2000; and more than $1 trillion currently (not including disaster emergency funding). Annual awards for federal grants and cooperative agreements are now surpassing the amount of federal contract awards, including defense contracts. Other Facts There are approximately 2,000 federal grant programs within Assistance Listings. Of the $700 billion in grants awarded annually, approximately… Read More