There are quite a number of types of grants available to individuals, businesses, government organizations and non-profits. I'm going to try and break down the main types of grants below.

Operating Support Grants

The "Operating Support Grant", a.k.a. the "General Purpose Grant", is an unrestricted grant. The non-profit organization which normally gets this type of grant, can use the working capital funds to cover its encompassing mission and to help with its overhead expenses. Though subject to possible specific terms, non-profits can determine where and when to spend this funding based on their own discretion. This is intended to liberate the non-profits from the large amount of time they normally would have to spend on raising funds and reporting to their funders.

The following are all Project Support or Program Development Grants: Seed Money Grants, Technical Assistance Grants, Planning Grants, Facility and Equipment Grants, and Program Related Investments.

Seed Money Grants

These normally are put to use for covering early operations such as product development and market research. Generally, the business founders are the first investors using their savings, mortgage loan proceeds, or having performed a funding round with family and friends. In addition, accredited investors, venture capitalists and angel investors who can be involved with the founders for financial and/or business support.

Technical Assistance Grants

These are provided with the intention to help with one-time, special management situations inside an organization. These can also be implemented in order to assist an organization to increase their ability to manage their activities going forward.

Planning Grants

Some projects might need additional development before they can move to implementation. Planning Grants are set up with this specifically in mind. The development can include indentifying and refining the project's main concepts, intellectual consultation, focus group evaluations, initial design of the proposed concepts, beta launching and testing, supportive programming, additional research and the creation of the project documentation.

Facility / Equipment Grants

Otherwise known as "Brick and Mortar Grants" or Capital Grants, these funds are used for the acquisition of equipment necessary for facility operation. The funds can cover the purchasing of buildings, office furniture, computers, vehicles and more. Additionally, it can be expected that a government grant inline with a Facility or Equipment Grant could be targeted for capital expenditures towards a specific project.

Program Related Investments (PRIs)

Foundations use these with the primary focus to accomplish one or more of their exempt purposes. These do not include an organization's production of income, property appreciation, or legislation influence.

Endowment Grants

Though Endownment Grants are generally not funded for lobbying activities, capital campaigns, previous operating deficits, other endowments, religious activities, athletic events, specific individuals, yearly fund drives or physical plants, they can be used for a variety of other programs.