Where to Find Information and Support

Whether you’re a small business owner or nonprofit leader navigating government funding opportunities, registrations, and requirements can feel overwhelming. We’ve compiled this list of reliable online resources to help you at every step of the journey.

Federal Registrations & Databases

SAM.gov
Register your entity, find federal opportunities, and access award data. This is the central hub for federal procurement.

SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)
A key tool used by contracting officers to find small businesses. You must register in SAM first.

Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)
Research past federal contracts and explore agency buying history.

USAspending.gov
Track how and where federal dollars are being spent.

Training & Guidance

SBA Learning Center
Free online courses covering certifications, proposal writing, and federal contracting basics.

Govology
Offers beginner-friendly webinars on federal contracting. Some content is free; others are offered through local partners.

APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals)
Provides industry-standard training, certification, and resources for proposal professionals.

Census Bureau NAICS Lookup
Identify your NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code to align your business with federal contracting categories.

Certifications & Compliance

SBA Contracting Assistance Programs
Explore SBA programs like 8(a), HUBZone, and WOSB to see if your business qualifies for set-aside opportunities.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Understand the rules that govern federal procurement.

Resources for Nonprofits & Grant Seekers

Grants.gov
The central portal for finding and applying for federal grants. Includes training resources and search filters by agency, eligibility, and category.

Foundation Directory Online by Candid
A powerful searchable database of private and corporate funders. Subscription required, but often free to access via public libraries or local foundations.

Instrumentl
An intuitive platform for discovering, tracking, and managing grant opportunities from both public and private funders. Offers a free trial and nonprofit pricing.

National Council of Nonprofits
Provides best practices, advocacy updates, and helpful resources for nonprofit operations, compliance, and funding.

Local Resources

Kentucky APEX Accelerator
Offers free technical assistance for businesses navigating government contracts. Services include registration help, bid matching, and proposal guidance.

Covington Business Council (CBC)
A local business network with advocacy and regular events for businesses looking to grow and connect.

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Provides educational programming, networking opportunities, and resources for business growth and development.

SCORE Greater Cincinnati
Free mentoring and workshops from experienced professionals, including support with proposal strategy and small business development.

Kentucky Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Certification
Provides certification and support services for minority- and women-owned businesses in Kentucky, helping you access contracting opportunities and resources tailored to MBE/WBE firms.

Greater Cincinnati SBDC
Offers no-cost advising to help businesses with contracting readiness, growth planning, and more.

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library – Nonprofit Resources
Free access to the Foundation Directory Online and other tools for grant seekers, along with training and workspace.

Kenton County Public Library
Provides research support, access to business and nonprofit databases, and educational programming.

Should we add anything?

If you think we should add another resource to our list, please let us know!