Nonprofit Management
Tips for Getting Started with Government Grants
August 5, 2025
The short answer: Before a nonprofit can apply for most federal grants, it needs an active SAM.gov registration, which provides the Unique Entity ID (UEI) that nearly every federal application requires. Registration involves gathering your IRS legal name, EIN, physical address (no PO Boxes), and bank details, creating a Login.gov account, and submitting your entity for validation. The process can take a week or much longer if anything needs extra documentation, so register well before any deadline, and remember it has to be renewed every year or your status goes inactive.
Registration Steps for Nonprofits on SAM.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do nonprofits need a SAM.gov registration to apply for federal grants?
Yes. If you want to apply for any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from a U.S. federal agency, an active SAM.gov registration is required, not optional. SAM.gov and Grants.gov are linked, so without it you cannot submit most applications. Registering also gives you the Unique Entity ID (UEI) that almost every federal grant application asks for.
What information do I need to register a nonprofit on SAM.gov?
Have your organization's legal name exactly as registered with the IRS, your EIN, a physical street address (PO Boxes are not accepted), and your bank account and routing numbers. You also need your taxpayer identification number, point of contact info for an executive and an administrator, and your IRS determination letter handy if you are a new applicant. You will create a Login.gov account first, since that is now required for all federal logins.
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
Plan on at least a week, and sometimes several weeks if your information needs extra validation or documentation. Delays usually come from a name or address that does not match IRS records, EIN problems, or slow responses to verification emails. Because of this, register well before you plan to apply for any federal funding rather than waiting until a deadline is close.
How often do I have to renew my SAM.gov registration?
Every year. Registrations expire after one year, and your status has to be active both when you apply and when a grant is awarded. If you let it lapse you cannot apply for new federal grants, and existing awards may be suspended. Note your renewal date and set a reminder so it never goes inactive.
What is a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and why does my nonprofit need one?
The UEI is the identifier you receive when you register with SAM.gov, and it is how the government verifies your nonprofit's identity and eligibility. It is required on nearly every federal grant application. If you registered years ago under the old DUNS number system, you may need to convert that to a UEI.
What mistakes most often delay a nonprofit's SAM.gov registration?
The biggest one is a name or address mismatch, where even small differences like "Ave." versus "Avenue" or a missing suite number cause validation to fail. Incorrect EINs, transposed bank account or routing digits, using a PO Box, and unmonitored point of contact emails also trip people up. Keeping your organization records organized in a connected system, like Argenta's all-in-one platform for nonprofits, makes it easier to pull accurate details when you need them.
If you're in charge of getting funding for your nonprofit, federal grants are a good place to start. They typically come with higher dollar amounts than most private or local grants, and fund projects for multiple years. Winning federal funding boosts a nonprofit’s credibility, making it easier to attract other funders. It may even surprise you to know that some federal grants pay for capacity-building, equipment, and other organizational needs—not just program costs. Here are a few things you should know before you get started.
If you want to apply for any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from a U.S. federal agency, you must have a SAM.gov registration. This is the System for Award Management, and it's not a nice to have, it's a must. Without it you can't submit most applications in Grants.gov, because these two systems are linked. Here are a few things to know about registering with SAM.gov
- When you register with SAM.gov, you get a Unique Entity ID (UEI). This is required on almost every federal grant application, and it’s how the government verifies your nonprofit’s identity and eligibility.
- SAM.gov registration includes bank account verification to prevent fraud and make sure grant money goes to the right place.
- Your registration has to be active (not expired) at the time of application and when the grant is awarded. Registration must be renewed annually, or your status goes inactive and you’re ineligible.
- Other funders may ask for your SAM.gov information too, even though it’s not technically required by law for them. It signals that your nonprofit is legit and in good standing.
- The process for registration can take a week or longer and sometimes much longer if you run into any snags in the process. You should register well before you plan to apply for any federal funding.
- Gather Required Info
- Legal name of your organization (as registered with IRS)
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Physical address (no PO Boxes)
- Bank account and routing numbers
- Organization’s taxpayer identification number
- Point of contact info (executive and administrator emails/phones)
- New applicants: Make sure you have your organization’s IRS letter handy
- Create Login.gov Account
- Go to SAM.gov and create a Login.gov account (this is now required for all federal logins)
- Register Your Entity
- Log into SAM.gov
- Select “Get Started” under “Register Entity”
- Enter your organization’s legal information exactly as it appears on your IRS documents
- Get or Validate Unique Entity ID (UEI)
- As part of the process, you’ll receive a UEI (if you don’t already have one)
- If you’re already in SAM.gov but not updated, you might need to convert your old DUNS number to a UEI
- Provide Banking & Financial Details
- Enter your bank account information for direct deposit of federal funds
- Double-check for typos—this is a common error point
- Assertions & Representations
- You’ll answer a set of federal compliance questions (debarment, terrorism, etc.)
- You’ll also have to indicate your nonprofit status
- Submit & Wait for Validation
- Submit your application and wait. SAM.gov will validate your info—this can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
- Watch your email for verification requests
- Respond to Validation Requests
- If there are issues (name/address mismatch, etc.), you’ll get a request for more documentation (such as your IRS letter or utility bill)
- Respond quickly or your registration will stall
- Get Active Status
- Once all checks are complete, your registration becomes active. Print and save a PDF of your registration record and note the renewal date
Finally, here are a few Pitfalls that trip up nonprofits. Watch out for these!
- Name/Address Mismatch
- Biggest cause of delays. Your legal name and address must exactly match IRS records. Even small differences (Ave. vs Avenue, commas, suite numbers, typos) will cause validation to fail.
- EIN Problems
- Make sure your EIN is correct and matches the IRS letter. If you’re newly incorporated, your IRS info might not be in federal systems yet.
- Incomplete/Incorrect Bank Info
- Enter the right routing and account numbers. Transposed digits or closed accounts will result in failed payments and registration rejection.
- Expired or Incorrect POCs
- The point of contact emails/phones need to be monitored. If you use a generic email and don’t check it, you might miss critical requests.
- Not Responding Quickly
- If SAM.gov or the Federal Service Desk (FSD) emails you for clarification, respond promptly. Letting a request sit for a few days can reset your timeline.
- Using a PO Box for Address
- The system requires a physical address. PO Boxes will almost always result in a failed application.
- Failing to Renew Annually
- Registrations expire after 1 year. If you let it lapse, you can’t apply for new federal grants and existing ones may be suspended.
- Duplicate Registrations
- Trying to register the same entity more than once can create conflicts and long delays.
Do nonprofits need a SAM.gov registration to apply for federal grants?
Yes. If you want to apply for any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement from a U.S. federal agency, an active SAM.gov registration is required, not optional. SAM.gov and Grants.gov are linked, so without it you cannot submit most applications. Registering also gives you the Unique Entity ID (UEI) that almost every federal grant application asks for.
What information do I need to register a nonprofit on SAM.gov?
Have your organization's legal name exactly as registered with the IRS, your EIN, a physical street address (PO Boxes are not accepted), and your bank account and routing numbers. You also need your taxpayer identification number, point of contact info for an executive and an administrator, and your IRS determination letter handy if you are a new applicant. You will create a Login.gov account first, since that is now required for all federal logins.
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
Plan on at least a week, and sometimes several weeks if your information needs extra validation or documentation. Delays usually come from a name or address that does not match IRS records, EIN problems, or slow responses to verification emails. Because of this, register well before you plan to apply for any federal funding rather than waiting until a deadline is close.
How often do I have to renew my SAM.gov registration?
Every year. Registrations expire after one year, and your status has to be active both when you apply and when a grant is awarded. If you let it lapse you cannot apply for new federal grants, and existing awards may be suspended. Note your renewal date and set a reminder so it never goes inactive.
What is a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and why does my nonprofit need one?
The UEI is the identifier you receive when you register with SAM.gov, and it is how the government verifies your nonprofit's identity and eligibility. It is required on nearly every federal grant application. If you registered years ago under the old DUNS number system, you may need to convert that to a UEI.
What mistakes most often delay a nonprofit's SAM.gov registration?
The biggest one is a name or address mismatch, where even small differences like "Ave." versus "Avenue" or a missing suite number cause validation to fail. Incorrect EINs, transposed bank account or routing digits, using a PO Box, and unmonitored point of contact emails also trip people up. Keeping your organization records organized in a connected system, like Argenta's all-in-one platform for nonprofits, makes it easier to pull accurate details when you need them.
