Sentence:  To encourage exploration for domestic sources of minerals , the Office of Minerals Exploration ( OME ) of the U.S. Department of the Interior offers financial <WSD>assistance</WSD> to firms and individuals who desire to explore their properties or claims for 1 or more of the 32 mineral commodities listed in the OME regulations . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose