Federal Grants Explained

In this revealing episode of Federal Grants Explained, we sit down with Aisha Bussey and Alicia Brown from The Capital Good Fund to uncover the shocking story behind the organization’s cancelled $156 million Solar for All grant from the EPA. After weeks of 80-hour work weeks, their team secured a landmark grant to bring solar power to thousands of low-income households. Then, without warning, it was ripped away. In this episode, we discuss: ----The moment they found out their $156M grant was terminated and the panic, frustration, and fear that followed. ----The real-world impact: what projects were killed, how many jobs were lost, and which communities were left behind. ----The inside story of the grueling 6-8 week application process involving multiple organizations and subrecipients. ----The current administration's cancellation of the Solar for All program and the elimination of the CDFI staff at the Treasury. ----The future of The Capital Good Fund and their stance on federal grants. This is a must-listen for anyone in the nonprofit sector, climate justice, community development, or anyone who applies for federal grants. It’s a stark reminder of the human cost behind policy changes. Learn more about The Capital Good Fund: https://capitalgoodfund.org ABOUT ME: I’m the founder and CEO of Grants Works and the lead trainer for Grants Works Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I’m one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. I’m a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I’m a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTS WORKS: Grants Works is a federal grant consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For almost six years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. We support all types of organizations but have a special interest in helping nonprofit organizations navigate the federal grant funding landscape. Grants Works’ mission is to help nonprofits find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantsworks.com/ Case Studies: https://grantsworks.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantsworks.com/speaker/ Check out the Age Has No Limit podcast: https://bit.ly/40TpAv9

A $16 Billion tunnel… A $1.2 Billion clean energy hub… Critical bridge repairs… All paused, rescinded, or cancelled? Or just threats for government shutdown negotiation leverage? What one shocking thing do these projects have in common? In this episode of Federal Grants Explained, host Patrice Davis, a former federal employee and grant expert, investigates the nearly $28 BILLION in federal grants suddenly frozen or terminated in Democratic-leaning districts. We’re cutting through the "Flood the Zone" media strategy to expose the real-world impact of these cancellations. We’ll break down the grants, the jobs at stake, and the political power plays behind the headlines. During this episode, you'll learn: • The shocking breakdown of paused projects: $27.24 Billion in “Blue Districts” vs. $738 Million in “Red Districts.” • A deep dive into the cancelled $16 Billion Hudson River Tunnel project—was it really cancelled or was it political posturing? • The truth behind the paused Cape Cod Bridges and what their "functional obsolescence" means for millions. • How the cancellation of the ARCHES clean hydrogen project threatens 200,000 jobs and a $10 billion private investment. • Why our team call federal grants the "invisible infrastructure" and what these cuts mean for our future. RESOURCES: https://www.nj.com/news/2025/10/heres-what-happens-to-the-hudson-river-tunnel-project-linking-nj-and-nyc-now-that-trump-terminated-it.html https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/investing-america-biden-harris-administration-announces-11-billion-grants-and https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/14/us/trump-grants-democrat-districts-government-shutdown.html https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/18/gateway-tunnel-trump-infrastructure-project-ny-nj/86730690007/ https://rock929rocks.com/2025/10/23/massachusetts-leaders-issue-joint-statement-on-cape-cod-bridges/ https://dredgewire.com/trump-administration-pauses-11-billion-in-usace-projects-including-cape-cod-bridges-amid-shutdown/ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/white-house-cancels-nearly-8b-in-clean-energy-projects-in-blue-states https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/H2Hubs%20Arches%20Booklet_Factsheet.pdf https://keyt.com/news/california/2025/10/23/california-congressional-members-demand-restoration-of-billions-in-energy-grants/ ABOUT ME: I’m the founder and CEO of Grants Works and the lead trainer for Grants Works Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I was also a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where I reviewed research grant continuation applications, collaborated with grantees, and coordinated reverse site visits. I’m one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, and the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantsworks.com/ Case Studies: https://grantsworks.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantsworks.com/speaker/ Check out the Age Has No Limit podcast: https://bit.ly/40TpAv9

In this episode of Federal Grants Explained, I break down two critical documents that will likely impact every single federal grant applicant and recipient. This is essential viewing for recipients of federal funding. Stay informed and protect your organization. We provide a deep dive into: -----The White House's Executive Order on Grant Oversight (Aug 7, 2025): How "agency priorities and the national interest" will now dictate funding announcements, scoring, and even allow grants to be terminated for convenience. ------The DOJ's Anti-Discrimination Guidance Memo (July 29, 2025): Why the Justice Department now considers many DEI programs "unlawful discrimination" and how this could lead to False Claims Act lawsuits and revoked funding. Learn what these changes mean for: • Indirect Cost Rates (NICRA) • Application scoring rubrics • "Defend the Spend" drawdown justifications • Termination for convenience clauses • Your existing grants and subawards PAST EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: Ex-Federal Employee Shares His Story: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at HHS Downsizing: https://youtu.be/iw9McovA2aE RESOURCES: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-establishes-civil-rights-fraud-initiative https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1409486/dl https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking/ https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/equity/ https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ https://www.foley.com/insights/publications/2025/08/doj-issues-additional-guidance-concerning-unlawful-discrimination-to-recipients-of-federal-funding/ ABOUT ME: I’m the founder and CEO of Grants Works and the lead trainer for Grants Works Academy. I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I was also a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where I reviewed research grant continuation applications, collaborated with grantees, and coordinated reverse site visits. I’m one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency, and a former fiscal consultant on monitoring visits of state agency recipients of federal grants. I'm a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I’m a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTS WORKS: Grants Works is a federal grant consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over five years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. Our firm developed a federal grant management training series for a federal agency that is consistently rated 4.5/5 stars by over 700 participants. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantsworks.com/ Case Studies: https://grantsworks.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh

In this episode, I dive into the widespread terminations of federal workers across multiple agencies. I explain how these layoffs, driven by Executive Order 14210 (signed by President Trump in 2025), aim to reduce the federal workforce through “efficiency and attrition.” I provide a detailed rundown of the agencies affected, including USAID, the Forest Service, EPA, CDC, IRS, and more, highlighting the staggering number of job losses and their potential ripple effects. Using insight from my experience at the CDC, I then also connect these layoffs to the federal grant process, emphasizing how the reduction in federal employees could impact the development of Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), application reviews, award distributions, and post-award monitoring. I also ask viewers to consider the real-world impact on families and communities as federal workers lose their livelihoods. If you're interested in understanding how federal workforce reductions could affect grant funding and government operations, this episode is a must-watch. Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more insights into federal grants and government efficiency initiatives. #federalgrants #federalgovernment #federalagencies #doge #termination #layoffs #grants #grantfunds #grantfunding #governmentfunding #governmentgrants ABOUT ME: I’m the founder and CEO of Grants Works and the lead trainer for Grants Works Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I was also a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where I reviewed research grant continuation applications, collaborated with grantees, and coordinated reverse site visits. I’m one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.5/5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency, and a former fiscal consultant on monitoring visits of state agency recipients of federal grants. I’ve also spoken about federal grants on several podcasts and stages. I’m a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I’m a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTS WORKS: Grants Works is a federal grant consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over five years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. Our firm developed a federal grant management training series for a federal agency that is consistently rated 4.5/5 stars by over 700 participants. We support all types of organizations but have a special interest in helping nonprofit organizations navigate the federal grant funding landscape. Grants Works’ mission is to help nonprofits find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantsworks.com/ Case Studies: https://grantsworks.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh Highlights from our 2024 Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvg2jTmW4k Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantsworks.com/speaker/

In this eye-opening episode of Federal Grants Explained, I sit down with Brandon Copeland, a former Fiscal Operations Specialist at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). With five years of experience in the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Brandon oversaw multi-million-dollar federal grants under the Older Americans Act and provided national compliance training—until the landscape shifted dramatically under the new administration. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✔ Behind-the-scenes at HHS – How federal grants are managed, monitored, and why recent downsizing is causing major disruptions. ✔ The REAL impact of workforce reductions – What happens when experienced federal employees leave en masse? ✔ Brandon’s shocking exit options – The three choices he was given when the new administration pushed employees out. ✔ The future of federal grant funding – How consolidation at HHS (from 82,000 to 62,000 employees) will affect grantees nationwide. ✔ From federal grants to wellness advocacy – Before joining HHS, Brandon founded Khepera Wellness. Learn about Brandon’s journey to found Khepera Wellness, a groundbreaking yoga movement. CONNECT WITH BRANDON COPELAND: kheperawellness.yoga Instagram: @kheperawellness YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/BrandonCopeland PAST EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: Elon Musk’s DOGE Team and Federal Systems: https://youtu.be/WWP98w0M7z4 Major Changes Impacting Grantees and Agencies Under Trump: https://youtu.be/bnodA25XIUc ABOUT ME: I’m the founder and CEO of Grants Works and the lead trainer for Grants Works Academy and I have over 18 years of federal grants experience. Before starting the firm, I obtained and managed multimillion dollar federal and other government grants for nonprofits and managed grants as a research program manager at a top research university. I was also a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where I reviewed research grant continuation applications, collaborated with grantees, and coordinated reverse site visits. I’m one of approximately 313 Certified Grants Management Specialists (CGMS) in the US, a member of the Thompson Grants Expert Panel, the creator of a 4.7 out of 5 star rated federal grant management training series for a federal agency, and a former fiscal consultant on monitoring visits of state agency recipients of federal grants. I’ve also spoken about federal grants on several podcasts and stages. I’m a mom of three who enjoys international fiction and foreign films, and I’m a world travel enthusiast. ABOUT GRANTS WORKS: Grants Works is a federal grant consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA that provides pre- and post-award services to support our clients as they find, obtain, manage and comply with federal grants. For over five years, we have provided a range of services for our nonprofit, university, for profit, and local government clients. Our staff has a combined 80 years of experience, and we have obtained and managed federal grants from the perspectives of a recipient, subrecipient, and passthrough entity from over 20 federal and other government agencies. Our firm developed a federal grant management training series for a federal agency that is consistently rated 4.5/5 stars by over 700 participants. We support all types of organizations but have a special interest in helping nonprofit organizations navigate the federal grant funding landscape. Grants Works’ mission is to help nonprofits find, obtain, manage, and keep federal grants that positively impact people and communities. LINKS: Consulting Firm: https://grantsworks.com/ Case Studies: https://grantsworks.com/case-studies/ Academy: https://www.grantsworksacademy.com/ Access Our Top Training About Federal Grants: https://bit.ly/40ENNFh Highlights from our 2024 Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvg2jTmW4k Book Me As Your Next Speaker: https://grantsworks.com/speaker/ Check out the Age Has No Limit podcast: https://bit.ly/40TpAv9