GrantBasics101

"There Are No Grants To Start A Business" - Of Course There Are!

2011-12-06T13:24:00.000-05:00

Here is an excerpt from an online site:

"Generally speaking, there are no grants to start a small business. A lot of books get sold and they all refer to the government website....

This is absolutely not true!

In my research of grant programs I have many of them that have been created to help people start their own business. Some of these grant programs are not government grant programs and I think that there is where some of the confusion is.

For example there is a grant program that grants up to $25,000 for those that want to start their own business. However this particular grant program is limited to minorities but if you are a minority (and that includes women) then this is definitely one grant program that you should consider.

You will have to submit a business plan as part of your application but if you are considering starting your own business then you should have a business plan already in place.

The above grant program that I mentioned is not a government grant program it is a grant program that is sponsored by a for-profit business! Maybe that makes it harder to find it because it is not a government grant program but it is a grant program none the less! This is grant money that you do not have to pay back if you get it!

You can see many, many more examples of grant programs to help you start your own business by visiting my Grant Basics 101 Website.

When you visit this site you will see many, many examples of grant program that help you start your own business.

Remember, when you read something that says that there are no grant programs to help you start your own business it is just a myth!

Grant Program To Hep Provide Financial Assistance For Caring For A Family Member

2011-08-29T14:40:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for financial assistance to help with the care of a family member then here is a grant program that you might be interested in learning more about.

This grant program is for Hospice Patients & Families.

There is an organization that has a fund that helps provides financial assistance for terminally ill individuals and their families who are experiencing financial distress and unable to be self-sufficient due to the circumstances of their terminal diagnosis.

This organization will consider grant requests for patient and family assistance from any person that has a terminal diagnosis regardless of care-provider. In order to adhere to IRS guidelines for charitable giving, the organization must collect financial information from the patient and/or the family member applying for grant assistance. This information is then used to determine the level of financial need of the applicant.

Grants are made when the individual is considered “needy and distressed” as defined by the IRS.

For more information a detailed explanation of the grant guidelines can be downloaded online for free from the organization's website.

There Is Still Some UnSpent Katrina Money Out There!

2011-08-29T13:22:00.001-04:00

It's a sad thing to have to report this but this is information that I feel people should know about since it is something that involves taxpayer money - meaning the money that you and I pay in taxes!

Did you know that more than a quarter of the $20 billion in Housing and Urban Development relief funds that were earmarked for Gulf Coast states after Hurricane Katrina remains unspent five years after the storm!

Hurricane Katrina Grants Going To The Wealthy But Not To The Poor!

2011-08-26T10:19:00.002-04:00

According to some advocates, the effort to help Huricane Katrina victims with government grants seems to have benefited more affluent people than those who are low-incomed.

According to one organization, "The recovery is really the tale of two recoveries. For people who were well off before the storm, they are more likely to be back in their homes, back in their jobs and to have access to good health care. For those who were poor or struggling to get by before the storm, the opposite is true."

Louisiana's program to distribute grants to property owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Katrina was found by a federal judge this month to discriminate against black homeowners!

Meanwhile, in Mississippi, state officials refused to offer rebuilding grants to property owners who suffered wind damage, explaining that the property owners should have carried private insurance. That rule hit low-income and black homeowners particularly hard, advocates say, because many of them were uninsured, often because they owned property that was passed down through the generations.

The $143 billion federally funded effort, one of the largest reconstruction projects in the country's history, fortified vulnerable levees, rebuilt hundreds of public buildings, reconstructed miles of roads and bridges and provided tens of thousands of residents with money to help piece together their shattered lives.

But there is a sharp disparity in how residents view the pace of recovery. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that while seven in 10 New Orleans residents say the rebuilding process is "going in the right direction," a third say their lives are still disrupted by the storm.

African Americans are more than twice as likely as whites to say they have not yet recovered after Katrina, the survey found. And blacks in the city are 2 & 1/2 times more likely to be low-income than whites.

One disabled Vietnam veteran has said, "I just knew we had a rotten deal". He and his wife have been struggling to rebuild their duplex in New Orleans East. The storm propelled them on a years-long odyssey through Port Arthur, Tex., Houston and Arkansas. They did not return to their still-damaged home until 2008! Their home was valued at just $135,000, although repair costs were estimated by the state to be $308,000. They were awarded a grant of just $16,649 to supplement just over $100,000 they received in insurance payments.

The federally funded grant program offered homeowners grants of up to $150,000. But homeowners could not collect more than the pre-storm value of their homes, regardless of the cost of repairs.

A federal judge ruled that the program's formula for calculating grants discriminates against black homeowners, who tend to live in neighborhoods with lower home values.

A spokesperson for the grant program has said that they have already appealed the judge's decision and added that the grant program has modified the program to pay out an additional $2 billion to more than 45,000 low-income homeowners. So far the government grant program has paid $8.6 billion to more than 127,000 homeowners.

While the waterfront casinos are providing a large chunk of state revenue, the vast majority of residents are back in their rebuilt homes, although thousands are still struggling to find affordable housing as their recovery checks did not cover the cost of the damage.

Despite the improvements, many gaps remain.

In Mississippi, where Katrina severely damaged more than 101,000 housing units, many residents face what advocates call a similar inequity. Praised in the aftermath of Katrina for his can-do attitude, Gov. Haley Barbour received a series of waivers from the Bush administration that largely freed Mississippi from the requirement to spend at least half of his state's $5.5 billion in federal block grant money on low- and moderate-income residents. Barbour successfully argued that the waivers were necessary to give the state flexibility to deal effectively with the widespread devastation. That allowed the state to divert close to $1 billion to help devastated utilities rebuild, to subsidize residents' insurance premiums and the port and other economic development projects. Meanwhile, advocates say that more than 5,000 low-income Mississippi families have yet to settle in permanent housing since the storm. Advocates have said that more than $3 billion distributed by the state's housing recovery program went disproportionately to more affluent residents. The plan paid up to $150,000 to homeowners whose properties were damaged by the unprecedented storm surge spawned by Katrina, but nothing to those whose homes suffered wind damage.

To be eligible for the initial grants, families had to have homeowners insurance, although the state later devised a program that paid grants of up to $100,000 to low-income, uninsured homeowners whose properties were damaged by the storm surge.
The rationale, state officials said, was that responsible homeowners had no way to know that they should have flood insurance in areas that federal experts deemed to be outside of the flood plain.

source

Cleveland.com

Some Facts About Getting Government Grants For "Going Green"

2011-08-17T19:38:00.000-04:00

The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has made considerable amounts of funding available to businesses and individuals working on green and renewable energy projects.

But just how much of the $787 billion recovery package is dedicated to grants? And where can green entrepreneurs and small business owners find and apply for these federal stimulus funds?

Here are some key details on locating grant money for green projects and applying for funding.

According to one official website, $275 billion of total federal stimulus funding is designated for contracts, grants and loans.

To date, the government has awarded around $137 billion to businesses, organizations, education institutions and entrepreneurs focused on developing green collar jobs or conducting clean energy technology research.

One of the most valuable resources for finding and applying to federal stimulus grants is through the government grants website. This online directory features information on the government’s “26 grant-making agencies,” including those increasingly associated with the country’s green workforce, including: the Environmental Protection Agency (awards millions in environmental education and environmental justice grants); the Department of Labor (recently sponsored a nationwide four-grant competition for renewable energy projects); the Department of Agriculture (funded 69 initiatives to clean and improve the country’s water supply and ecosystems); the Department of Energy (provides renewable energy incentives across the country through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy).

source
Green Jobs Ready.com

Does Your Non-Profit Organization Need A Computer?

2011-08-15T13:42:00.001-04:00

There is a donation program that recognizes the fact that there are many people and organizations that lack the technology which would enable them to effectively communicate and accomplish their tasks efficiently. So 2 organizations have partnered together to help.

Now local nonprofit organizations are able to apply for a computer grant to benefit the staff and clients of their organization.

The goal of this program is to support social and human service organizations in their quest to provide for their clients.

Here are some examples of the non-profit organizations that may be eligible to apply:

Community and family services
Adult services (e.g., literacy programs, job training)
Senior citizen programs
Support for the disabled/disadvantaged
Youth education/development

* Please be advised that the above list doesn't list the complete eligibilty of non-profit organizations that may be eligible. This donation program is open to any program that will benefit the community; however, preferences will be given to those organizations that utilize the computer equipment in a frontline, visible capacity. To submit a grant request, please download the Application Form Applications must be received by the Brown County United Way no later than Friday, September 2, 2011. If you have any questions you can contact this organization by regular snail mail, phone or by email.

Federal Grant Money Available For Homes With Storm Damage!

2011-07-16T11:12:00.001-04:00

For some individuals who've endured flooded homes and businesses this summer, a bright spot is on the horizon. Residents and businesses in some local counties will be able to receive recovery money from the federal government to clean up the summer's sopping mess!

News of this financial assistance program for individuals came earlier this year and will cover 29 different counties. This is in addition to the federal public assistance program that was declared for 50 other counties to help state and local governments repair or replace damaged facilities, such as roads or municipal utilities.

This federal assistance program will offer up to $29,900 per claim from storm damage. This program's assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Who qualifies for assistance? Anyone who is living in one of the specified 29 counties and the home in the disaster area is the claimant's primary residence. A home or business owner who has insurance may still be eligible for the federal grants and loans through the program if the property damage is not covered by the insurance policy or the insurance settlement is "insufficient to meet losses" according to program's website.

Residents of these counties can call FEMA or register online, "which is really fast and easy,".

When applying, individuals should have these items ready and on hand: Social Security number, current and pre-disaster address, telephone number, insurance information, total household income, and a description of losses caused by the disaster.

After the application is complete, a FEMA application number will be issued which should be written down and kept for future reference. The agency will mail people a copy of their application and an application guide to address questions. About 10 to 14 days after a request is filed, an inspector is then assigned to set up an appointment for a home inspection. The inspector will come to the applicant's home and review the damage.

Inspectors are contractors, not FEMA employees; however, the FEMA website states that the inspectors will have FEMA identification. There is no fee for the inspection, but applicants must be present for the scheduled appointment and provide proof of ownership and occupancy to the inspector.

Grant Awards For Teachers!

2011-05-18T16:29:00.002-04:00

There is an organization that awards teachers every year with $5,000 in supplies.

There are also 2 organizations that have grant programs for computers!

For more information about these grant programs, you can click here.

Grant Program For Eye Care

2011-03-21T15:47:00.000-04:00

If you do not qualify for government aid or private health care assistance that covers the cost of routine eye or vision care there is a non-profit organization that may be able to help you. This organization provides basic eye health and vision care services free of charge to uninsured, low-income people and their families.

The organization was established by doctors who donate their services.

To find out more about this grant program you can visit the organization's website.

High School Students - Are You Planning To Study Engineering In College?

2011-03-17T14:18:00.001-04:00

Here is yet another scholarship prgram for high school students.

This is a $10,000 scholarship program for students who plan to major in engineering.

In order to be eligible for this program you must:

a 3.5 GPA
submit a 500 word essay on what type of career goals that you have
you must also submit 3 letters of recommendation

The application for this scholarship program is available online.

High School Students - Would You Be Interested In A $40,000 Scholarship Program?

2011-03-17T13:20:00.001-04:00

Here is yet another scholarship program for high school seniors!

Please bear in mind that this is a NEW scholarship program!

The purpose of this scholarship program is to reward college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education.

This scholarship program will reward up to 20 students a year with a renewable scholarship of $10,000 annually (potentially up to $40,000 per recipient)!

In order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship program you must:

demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship at school, at home, at the workplace, and within the community
be nominated by an eligible community leader, such as a high school principal, elected official or executive director of a nonprofit organization
be recommended by an authority figure, such as a student activity advisor, community service coordinator, coach, employer, teacher, counselor, or religious leader
demonstrate strong academic performance (3.0 or greater GPA or equivalent)
demonstrate financial need
be a citizen of the United States of America
use scholarship funds for student tuition, room, and board while pursuing a bachelor's degree at an accredited U.S. college or university.

To find out more about this scholarship program just click here for more information.

Did You Know That There Is A CIA Scholarship Program!!!!!!!

2011-03-08T15:19:00.000-05:00

Of course the CIA stands for the "Central Intelligence Agency"!

This scholarship program was developed, in part, to assist minority and disabled students, but application is open to all students who meet the requirements.

The program offers unmatched experience. The winning applicants will complete work sessions during each summer break, increasing their knowledge and job responsibilities while assisting intelligence professionals and applying your academic skills.

Once selected, recipients will be given an annual salary; a benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, and retirement; and up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, mandatory fees, books and supplies. They will also be required to work at an Agency facility during summer breaks and to maintain full-time college status during the school year with a minimum cumulative 3.0/4.0 GPA.

This scholarship program will also pay the cost of transportation between the recipient's school and the Washington, DC area each summer and provide a housing allowance!

To find out more about this program you can click here.

$10,000 High School Student Essay Program

2011-03-04T16:05:00.001-05:00

This is a contest competition for high school students that awards $10,000!

Eligibility:

This contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools
U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories
and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas.
Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of the organization and members of their families are not eligible to participate.

Requirements:

Essay submissions for the 2012 contest will be accepted starting September 1, 2011. The contest deadline is Saturday, January 7, 2012.
Essays can be no more than 1,000 words. Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Essays must be the original work of the student.
Essays must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official that occurred during or after 1956, the publication date of Profiles in Courage. The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, or national level. See Contest Information and Topic Guidelines and Writing Tips for more information
- Source Material
- Essays with fewer than five listed sources may be disqualified.
- All participants must cite sources they used to research their topic throughout their essay. (Please use parenthetical citations within the text.) The organization will not accept citations in footnote form.)
- Essays must include a bibliography. Accepted formats include APA, MLA, or Turabian. You must use a minimum of five selected sources. Please refer to Guidelines for Citations and Bibliographies.
- Essays must include one non-internet source.

Essay Submission - Students have the choice of either submitting their essay online (preferred) or of mailing their essay. All students must complete and submit a registration form online for student and school information. For instructions on how to submit your essay, see Submit your Essay.

Mailed in essays must be postmarked by January 7, 2012.

The winner receives $10,000 which will consist of a $5,000 cash award and $5,000 to put in a college savings account. The winner will also be invited to an awards ceremony to accept his/her award.

A second place winner receives a $1,000 cash award.

Up to five finalists each receive a $500 cash award.

Winners and finalists will be notified by March 31. All participants will receive a letter announcing the winners and finalists by May 15.

Please read contest information and topic guidelines carefully before submitting your essay. Essays must meet contest requirements to qualify for evaluation.

Please read the following instructions carefully

Submit your essay online (preferred method)
Please complete the full registration/essay submission form online. Copy the text of your essay and bibliography from your original document and paste it into the designated boxes on the online submission form. To correctly format your essay and bibliography, make sure you insert an extra carriage return between paragraphs and after each entry on your bibliography (hit twice on your keyboard.) Citations must be in parenthetical form within the essay. Footnotes can not be submitted.
You can also either submit your essay via mail - All students are required to complete the online registration form regardless of whether they submit their essay online or via regular mail. It is recommended that you register when you are ready to mail your essay.

Submit your essay via regular mail by printing out the completed online registration form along with two hard copies of your essay. Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and printed only on one side of the paper. Attach your registration form to only one copy of your essay. Your second copy should contain no personal identification information.

Please mail to the organization's mailing address.

Travel Grants For Writers And Reporters!

2011-02-21T19:53:00.003-05:00

This grant program is open to all journalists, writers, photographers, radio producers or filmmakers; staff journalists as well as free-lancers of any nationality!

There is an organization that provides travel grants to cover hard costs associated with upcoming travel for an international reporting project.

According to the website, the "ideal" project offers print, photography, radio, and video.

Travel grants are also being offered to non-native, English-speaking journalists.

The organization is currently seeking proposals for projects on under-reported population issues.

The amount of individual travel grants will depend on the specific project and detailed budget planning. Most awards fall in the range of $2,000 to $10,000 but depending on project specifics may be as much as $20,000!

Once your project has been approved half of the grant amount is generally paid just before travel and the remainder on submission of the principal material for publication or broadcast. (Specific grant terms are negotiated during the application process.)

Proposed projects must include a credible plan for broad dissemination of the resulting work in U.S. media (print and/or broadcast). Applicants should be able to demonstrate interest from editors and/or producers working in wide-reaching U.S. media outlets. The credibility of a distribution plan is generally most evident in an applicant's track-record working with the listed outlets. Please do not have editors send letters simply stating they would consider the work. Letters from editors and/or producers who have worked with you in the past, and are interested in working with you again, are encouraged.

The organization is increasingly seeking multi-media projects that combine print/photography and video to explore the issues. Applicants are encouraged to create partnerships with others and propose a complementary suite of deliverables.

If you are only working in one medium, you may still apply.

Theology Grants

2011-01-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

Theology Grants

There is an organization that offers three different grants programs that involve theology and theology workers.

The first grant program offers up to five faculty members up to $25,000 each during a Sabbatical leave.

A second grant program offers ten grants of up to $10,000 each for research separate from a sabbatical leave.

A third grant program offers ten grants of up to $5,000 each for well-designed research projects.

Project proposals must be at least six consecutive months in length to be considered. You can contact this organization by going to their website for more information.

The Craziest Ways To Pay Your Tuition?

2011-01-20T15:22:00.001-05:00

Found this article online called "The Craziest Ways To Pay Your Tuition?" that talks about the crazy ways that some students have paid for their college tuition.

It seems when scholarships and free money and government grants are not enough to help defray the cost of college, students (and their parents) have thought up different crazy ways to be able to pay for college costs.

Some of the ways that students have used to pay for their student loans have included begging on the streets, playing music for tips and there was even a special program where students could get part of their tuition paid by trading livestock?????

Some other students started their own business by offering cleaning services.

Other students have even done dumpster diving for food!

Are You A Struggling Musician That Needs Some Financial Help?

2011-01-15T13:31:00.000-05:00

Are you a struggling musician that could use som financial help? Here is a place that may be able to help you!

There is a foundation whose mission is to assist aspiring musicians with the production of a recording, the purchase of a new instrument, the payment of insurance on or repair costs associated with a vehicle, and any other expense that is incurred in the process of performing.

You can contact them by mail, phone or you can visit their website for more information.

Do You Need Money To Train To Be A Professional Nurse?

2011-01-11T16:18:00.000-05:00

There is actually free money / free government grant money to help you train to become a professional nurse.

The objective of this grant program is to prepare individuals who have completed basic nursing preparation as nurse educators, public health nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, or as other clinical nursing specialists.

This free grant money can be used to support a student while they complete the professional nurse traineeships.

Students must apply to those institutions that have received the program money.

For more information about this grant program you can either contact them by phone or visit their website for more information.

Do You Need Help With Paying Back Your Student Loans?

2010-12-30T14:22:00.001-05:00

A national organization provides for the repayment of educational loans for health professionals who agree to serve in a health manpower shortage area.

Priority is given to primary care physicians, dentists, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, and physicians assistants.

The money can be used to repay student loans.

The amount of money available per professional is up to $25,000 a year during the first two years of practice and $35,000 for each year after that.

You can contact the organization and find out more about this grant program by visiting their website.

Here Is Yet ANOTHER Grant Program For The Individual Artist

2010-12-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

One artist who received the $25,000 grant said, "I've been working multiple jobs to get by, so it means a chance to take more time for my personal writing. It will be huge for my development over the next year."

The grant organization has already announced $450,000 in grants to 18 literary and performing artists.

The $25,000 no-strings grant awards were designed to give artists the financial breathing room to focus on their art.

The grant recipients are also afforded professional development services to help with their career-building.

2010 Grant Recipients include:

novelists
poets
an art critic
a flamenco choreographer
songwriters working in hip-hop and garage-punk
a R&B, hip-hop and spoken-word performer

The organization hopes these grant awards act as a catalyst for culture by inspiring artists to do their best work.Says another grant recipient, "the grant offers some real financial independence, and at least for the next year I'll be set."Another of the grant recipients plans on investing much of his grant money into securing a permanent artistic home. He's also planning on buying his first professional-quality bass.The organization also also bestows an annual artist grant of $50,000.This year's round of grant recipients were selected from 350 applicants by panels of national and local experts. The awards were limited to artists who create their own work as opposed to interpretive artists like dancers, actors and musicians who are not composers. However, the latter group, as well as filmmakers, may be deemed eligible for future grants as the program develops.For more information about this grant program just click here.

Are You Looking For An Investor?

2010-11-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

There is one such organization which is a national venture capital firm currently managing $170 million of private equity investments.

Since forming its first fund this organization has played a leadership role in providing venture capital to more than 30 emerging technology companies.

This organization identifies its investments by partnering leading universities, research institutions and companies together and commercializing their technological advancements. Their portfolio of investments includes a concentration of early stage companies whose technologies address large, well recognized problems or transform existing health care and technology markets.

The fund's managers are committed to making their investments a long term success and bringing important new technologies to market.

The fund concentrates on the untapped markets of the Midwest and Southern California, but does exclude the strategic opportunities offered by the Bay Area and Boston.

For more information on the fund, click here.

You can also contact this organization by phone.

Grant Program To Help Pay Your Hospital Bill!

2010-11-03T18:01:00.000-04:00

Do you need help with paying your hospital bill?

Last year one organization provided over $75,000 in grants for more than 100 individual applicants! The grant program was put in place to help eligible patients pay their hospital bills. So far this year, the organization has paid over $20,000 in grants that benefited 57 patients!

However the number of applicants has been far exceeding the amount of money that the organization can give.

This particular grant program is funded by a trust fund's will. The terms of the will stipulated that the interest from the trust be used "to help pay for operations and hospital attendance for poor and needy persons at the organization's namesake hospital.

There's now a formal application process and income guidelines to determine who is eligible to be considered for a grant.

To find out more about this grant program and its eligibility requirements, just click here.

Here Is An Indirect Way To Receive A Grant

2010-11-02T17:03:00.000-04:00

One of the ways that you can indirectly get a grant is if you have some field of expertise you may be able to hire yourself out as a consultant of some kind!

Many municipalities receive government grants for financial support when they have problems that they have to take care of.

For instance one area will be receiving a $250,000 grant so that they will be able to hire a consultant to help reduce energy consumption and costs in the area.

This grant comes from leftover federal stimulus money that was distributed last year.

This grant program is to help benefit a number of towns in one area. The consultant that the grant program will pay for will either be a consulting firm or an individual who for will spend one day each week in one of the towns. The position will last for two years and will be at no cost to the taxpayer.

One of th town councilman said he would like to see some report from the town on the progress of the consultant. The town also said it would like to use the hiring of the consultant to help pursue other grants in the future.

Remember government grants really are free money that you do not have to pay back!

Here Is Yet ANOTHER State Grant Program For Individual Artists!

2010-10-28T17:23:00.000-04:00

Here is yet ANOTHER grant program available for the individual artist!

For all of the 26 grant reipients, the grants will also facilitate the creation of their finished artwork.

So far this year, this organization has awarded more than $100,000 to artists around the state. Announced earlier this year, this year's grants consist of one distinguished artist award of $25,000, 20 project awards of up to $5,000, and eight fellowship awards of $12,000.

Past grant recipients include a musician, an interior artist and a painter. One recipient said that he will use his grant money to travel to places he's been and those he's wished to go, painting as he goes. Another grant recipient is going to use their grant money to build a studio on his property.

A lot of the grant recipients are also teachers as well!

This is just another very good example of "free money" - money which is given to the individual that does not have to be paid back!

Another Grant Program For INDIVIDUAL Artists!

2010-10-25T18:49:00.002-04:00

Here is YET another grant program for individual artists!

A not-for-profit organization has announced an awards program for individual artists! This organization helps the careers of individual visual artists.. Their mission is to provide individual artists with grants, travel stipends, and subsidized artist live/workspace!

Graduate students, and emerging artists to mature artists are eligible for consideration!

Open to ALL US and international artists!

A minimum of two $3,500.00 grants will be awarded in 2010 and the grants can be used at the discretion of the artist - meaning that the artist can spend their grant money in any way that they want!

Submissions must include ten jpegs (up to 1800 dpi) of current work and a resume. Artists working in any medium may apply! Applicants are required to apply online through the organization's website.

Looking For Investors?

2010-10-16T14:32:00.003-04:00

Here is an excerpt:

"What you have to do is go find investors. I do know that there are still investors - and even angel investors around - but they don't advertise a lot - could you imagine the number of emails they would get if they did! I know of at least one blog that has mentioned that there was one guy looking for great ideas and he was willing to invest in them.

There are lists of online investors, angel investors and even venture capitalists - but you are going to have to go online and do some research to find them but they are out there!"

Minority Students Are Not Applying For Scholarships!

2010-09-16T15:51:00.005-04:00

Here is an excerpt from an email that I received:

Education Scholarships

The following information is very informative - Please pass it on to schools in the county coordinator's district and to anyone who can use it. It would be great to open these sites and actively pursue Black children who qualify. It's money dedicated to the education of our youth

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE NOT APPLYING!

Even if you do not have a college-aged child at home, please share this with someone who does. Though there are a number of companies and organizations that have donated monies for scholarships to be used by African Americans, a great deal of the money is being returned because of a lack of interest!

No one is going to knock on our doors and ask if we can use a scholarship. Take the initiative to get your children involved. There is no need for money to be returned to donating companies because we fail to apply for it.

Please pass this information on to family members, nieces, nephews, friends with children etc. We must get the word out that money is available!

If you are a college student or getting ready to become one, you probably already know how useful additional money can be. Our youth really could use these scholarships.

To see and receive a listing of the organizations that are providing the scholarships just click here.

Football Grants For High School!

2010-09-10T16:46:00.004-04:00

There is one organization that offers a variety of opportunities for community groups and schools to receive help with both football and non-football related projects.

This financial aid can come in the form of direct grants or through a more centralized support for programs championed by individual players or teams.

Throughout the off-season and on days off, players and teams are encouraged to give their time and practical assistance to programs designed to improve their community.

A number of formal grants exist!

Grants are available to former NFL players currently serving as coaches in high school football programs, and range from $2,500-$10,000.
another grant program allows current and former NFL players to apply for up to $4,000 to support free football camps and clinics.
Yet another program aims to provide financial and technical assistance to schools and non-profit community groups seeking to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local football fields. The first part of the funding is designed to help with general field support, which includes irrigation, bleacher construction and light installation. The second part of funding is reserved for improvements to field surfaces. (In 2007, this program awarded over $2 million dollars worth of grants for upgrades to field surfaces
Individual grants of up to $200,000 are also available!

Individual teams may also offer grants or assistance to schools on a one-time or regular basis. For example, one grant program offers a grant of $3,000 to school players who've organized their own community programs.

To find out more about these programs you can visit this website.

Grant Programs For Musicians!

2010-09-01T18:56:00.002-04:00

Here are a few examples of some grant programs that are currently being offered for musicians:

$3,000 grant program to provide professional mentorship to three emerging operatic composers who are writing new works for full professional production.
$5,000 to support a Fellowship that will provide a residency of up to 2 months for an emerging composer.
$2,000 to support an outreach program in rural communities that brings music education and songwriting to K-12 students.
$2,500 to support the mentoring of promising young songwriters by professional members. The project will result in a CD compilation of 5 original songs and a showcase of the works at a local theatre.
A scholarship program is currently being offered. This scholarship is presented annually to an African-American college or university student majoring in music who demonstrates musical talent and proficiency in certain areas:
- composing
- arranging
- producing
- conducting
- performing

What Kind Of Non-Profit Organizations Receive Grants?

2010-08-28T13:57:00.003-04:00

Over 50 local groups are being offered grants in a specific grant program that is aimed at more rural areas!

This "free grant money" was funded by taxpayers in the local rural areas!.

The grants are going to a wide range of community, environmental, cultural and recreational groups. Also being supported are a handful of organizations based in the local municipalities that offer facilities or services used by the rural taxpayers as well. Examples include a theater company and an art gallery.

The grants were all recently approved at one of the monthly meetings of the regional district board, based on the joint recommendations of the local rural directors.

Here is a partial listing of some of the organizations that will be receiving their grants:

A local garden society will use their $1,5000 grant money to assist with the installation of an automatic underground irrigation system
Another organization will use their $2,000 grant award to help pay insurance costs
a local are project received a $200 grant that will go towards cultivating vegetables locally
a local church received a $200 that they will use towards operating expenses
a local art gallery will use their $4,000 grant towards operating expenses
another organization received a $6,000 grant to help assist with educating and promoting their agricultural community
a local farmer's market will use their $3,000 grant towards operating expenses
a rugby club will use their $900 grant to assist with the formation of a mini's program and continuation of a juniors program
a historical museum society organization received a $5,000 grant that they will use towards their operating expense.
another historical organization will receive a $1,500 grant that they will use to help and to assist with the development and publishing of promotional and educational content ($1,500)
a community library will receive a $500 grant that they will use to assist with book purchases
a $2,000 daycare grant was awared to a daycare-related organization that they will use to help pay for exterior building improvements
a local festival organization will use their $2,000 grant to help with their annual festival
a local animal organization will use their $300 grant towards spaying and neutering feral cats ($300)

These are examples of the kinds of non-profit organizations that have (and are) received grant money. If you have a similar kind of organization then you can see from the list above the kinds of non-profit organizations that can receive grants.

But please be aware that there are also grant programs available for for-profit businesses as well!

Free or Low-Cost Dental Care?

2010-08-09T14:50:00.000-04:00

It seems that so many people are searching for free or low-cost dental care. Here is a link to my blog posts relating to grant programs that provide free or low-cost dental services!

Here Is A Grant Program For Your Small Business!

2010-07-29T15:05:00.008-04:00

So many times you will read that there are no grants for for-profit businesses but here is yet another example of a "free money grant program for for-profit businesses!

Here is a new grant program that will be starting later next year!

Over $200 Million Dollars has been allocated for this new grant program!

What is this new grant program? Well I have said many times before that grant programs are created to bring awareness to a particular subject and this is a very good example of exactly that!

In order to bring awareness to living a more healthier lifestyle this particular grant program will provide cash grants to small businesses that provide some sort of wellness and / or prevention programs for their employees! These kinds of programs can include:

nutrition
smoking cessation
physical fitness
stress management

Companies with fewer than 100 employees qualify for the grants, which will be administered by the government, but only new wellness initiatives -- those launched after March 23, 2010, the date the heath reform bill was enacted -- are eligible.

Do You Need A Used Car For Transportation?

2010-07-28T19:00:00.020-04:00

If you are in need of a car to help you get to and from work then you should know that there is an organization that has a program for this!

This organization is highly known for its work in helping people become self reliance and productive. Their program gives, excellent condition used cars to people without transportation in order for them get to work and keep their jobs!

In order to apply for this program you will need:

Proof off a job
Provide proof of Employment - in order to qualify for the program you must be working and are in danger of losing employment, because of difficulty or inability to get to work. You must provide proof of your situation. Your job must employ you for at least thirty to forty hours each week.
Prove Need - In order to qualify your job must also be in a location where there is no bus or train service, to and from your place of employment.
Proof of Income - This program is for families who are underemployed and earn a wage that is considered below the US standard of living.

Grant Program To Help Fund School Field Trips!

2010-07-28T18:41:00.003-04:00

Did you know that there is a free grant program that provides funding for school field trips?

There is an organization that has provided more than 400,000 students the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences at thousands of unique destinations. This year over $1 million dollars will be awarded to educators nationwide to fund 5,000 field trips.

So far over $9 Million Dollars in grants has been awarded providing over a million students with the opportunity to experience learning outside the classroom!

Grant applications for 2010 will be available August 2010! You can find out more information about these grants by going to their website.

Individual Artists Are Being Asked To Apply For This Grant Program!

2010-07-27T16:29:00.003-04:00

During the year artists are being asked to apply for this grant program.

There is a restriction on the location but if you are a resident or are a resident in a nearby county then you may be eligible to apply for this grant program.

The organization that sponsors this grant program provides financial support to committed, gifted individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists.

The grant is awarded to projects that promise to advance the career of the artist or groups of artists in the following disciplines:

Music Composition
Film/Video
Literature/Playwriting
Choreography/Dance
Visual Art/Craft

Guidelines and applications are available online.

According to a spokesperson for this grant program, "There are not many opportunities for artists to obtain assistance for something that relates directly to their career advancement. We urge artists in the region to look at the guidelines to see if there is an opportunity here for them."

Here is a smaller grant program for individual artists!

2010-07-21T14:57:00.000-04:00

Here is yet another grant program for individual artists!

Please be advised that this is an announcement of a NEW grant program!

This local grant program for artists will distribute $7,500 through 10 grants to individual artists for various projects!

According to the grants director, "I’m seeing a trend in better prepared proposals from artists. The imaginative projects being submitted for grants reflect an increasingly sophisticated arts community here whose offerings stimulate both economic and cultural growth.”

These grants are an investment in human capital, providing direct support to individual artists and arts professionals for projects and activities that have the potential to advance their careers and build their capacity for future work. The grants are awarded three times each year!

Here is a listing of a few of the previous grant recipients:

One jewelery artist received $1,000 that will help her to acquire special plating equipment required to create new work that explores a fusion of fine jewelry and fashion. The artist is a jewelry designer interested in challenging traditional concepts of wearable fashion and body adornment. Her inspiration stems mainly from nature and aquatic life.
A painter has received a $500 grant will help partially fund printing a catalog of an exhibition that will be used to promote the work of participating artists
A playright has received a $500 grant to help create a new multi-media performance work. The grant money received will help the playright acquire video equipment to be used for this and future productions
a professional dancer and actress Marisa has received a $750 grant to produce a show featuring her troupe of local performance artists.

Applications for this grant program are reviewed and approved three times over the course of each year, so there are opportunities to apply every four months!

Applications should be for projects and activities occurring between the dates of July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

This artist funding program raises new money to support a wide range of arts organizations and programs. Its purpose is to provide stable sources of new financial support for the arts, broaden access to high-quality arts experiences, and sustain excellence in the arts and arts administration.

For more information about this grant program please be sure to visit their website.

You can also contact them via phone and / or by email.

State Grant Program For Starting Or Expanding A Farm!

2010-07-16T10:14:00.000-04:00

$100,000 Grant Program Announced For Farmers

Although this is not a new government grant program, they have added additional funding!

In an effort to assist with the challenges associated with starting or expanding a farming or ranching operation one state Commissioner has announced the addition of an additional $100,000 in grants through one of the state's grant programs. This grant program program, which has already awarded $100,000 to 13 eligible farmers is designed to help young farmers enter or enhance a production agriculture career!

Says the Commissioner, "As our population increases, we must do what we can to recruit new agriculture producers and assist current ones with expanding operations to meet the growing demand on our food and fiber supplies. Starting a career in production agriculture is a huge financial investment, and through this grant program we can help give young farmers the capital they need to start or expand much-needed operations.”

These grants are available to individuals who are at least 18, but younger than 46.

Applicants must make dollar-for-dollar matching expenditures to sustain, create or expand the proposed projects.

The individual grant limit per application is $10,000!

The rising age of state farmers, combined with the small number of young people choosing farming as an occupation, raises concerns about whom will fill the gaps of providing food and fiber in the future and that is why this grant program is so important.

In addition to this grant program the state includes 3 programs designed for eligible applicants who wish to establish or enhance their farm or ranch operation, or establish agriculture-related businesses:

This loan program provides guarantees based on a tiered structure not to exceed $750,000 or 70 percent of the loan amount, whichever is less. The program also provides an interest rebate of up to $5,000 per year to eligible borrowers as part of the guarantee process.
Another program can facilitate commercial lending that may result in below-market interest rates. Eligible applicants must intend to use the proceeds under this program in a manner that will help foster the creation and expansion of an agricultural business in the state.
This program offers young farmers greater rate reductions. The program is open to any person at least 18, but younger than 46, who proposes to use the proceeds to help foster the creation and expansion of an agricultural business in the state.

For more information about this and other grant programs, visit the website and click on Grants/Funding.

$50,000 Grant Program For Writers!

2010-07-15T13:55:00.003-04:00

There is a foundation for writers that has a grant program that helps to support individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art.

The grant awards range from $3,000 to $50,000!

Writers who meet the program’s eligibility requirements are invited to apply in the following categories:

Articles
Blogs
Books
New and Alternative Media
Short-Form Writing

For guidelines and additional eligibility requirements, please visit their website.

Another source of money is unclaimed money. You can find out more information at the The Unclaimed Money Blog.

Grant Program(s) For Rescue Animals?

2010-07-12T16:35:00.016-04:00

I tried sending this person a private reply but for some reason it wouldn't go through so I decided to post it here:

my friend has an animal rescue program. She has rescued some horses and donkeys whose owners either didnt have the time to trim the hooves( have you ever seen a horse with hooves so long they look like a pair of skis?) or they didnt know how to train the horses( and donkeys) how to stand still for a farrier.

She has looked at the animal rescue grant sites, and has reported to me that these sites want money . Money she just doesnt have. Besides needing money for her rescue operation, she also needs money to pay a mortgage off on her home. A relative of hers took out the mortgage without her knowledge. I guess the pay off is quite high.

I want to help my friend as much as I can. I realize she needs to fill out the forms herself, but if I can find these No Fee for application grants, then I will have done my part.

The sites that you are talking about are third-party sites - meaning they are asking a fee because they are asking you to pay for the work that they have done to find the information. All you have to do is to just find the information yourself. This is how grantwriters and other companies find the information and you can do the same thing.

There are legitimate equine-related grant programs out there. Here is an excerpt from this blog:

State-Wide Equine Grant Program

equine - of or relating to the horse

By law, the funding for this particular grant program must go to support "equine research, education and promotion". Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion.”

Over $70,000 has been already awarded from funding from this grant program. The awards went to projects in nine communities and were presented at the state's Horse Fair.

A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) via the website or you can contact the program directly by phone.

Grant recipients included:

Over $8,000 was received for equipment to help with volunteers for trail construction, reconstruction and maintenance at a national forest and nearby private property trails. "Hardening of the trails to withstand traffic without trail tread failure, muddiness or erosion is an increasingly important consideration,” according to one of the grant recipients. Equipment being funded includes packsaddles with gravel bags for use in wilderness areas, and a hydraulic gravel-hauling wagon for use in non-wilderness areas.
A therapeutic horseback riding center received $8,000 toward its barn and paddock restoration project.
One of the fairgrounds was given $7,800 to improve arena fencing and footing, re-establishing safety at the site for the many groups that use the public facility. During the severe flooding in the area during the summer of 2008, the grounds were used as a staging area for sand-bagging and other flood-fighting activities. Fencing around the area is used metal pipe, donated 20 years ago, and now rusted to ruin. Like many other projects supported, volunteers will remove old and install new fencing at the grounds.
First steps for a new Riding Center are being funded with a $14,000 grant. The project is part of a 10-year master plan by the Advisory Committee, which requested help in creating a 7-acre turn out pasture to serve boarders and show participants, along with refurbishing access roads and ultimately a new indoor and outdoor arena and boarding facilities for 52 horses at the facility. The area has more than five miles of wooded and natural prairie trails.
Another grant recipient received $7,200 to enhance and expand its 12-year-old ongoing training program for first response personnel who may serve at equestrian accident scenes. The objective is to develop basic familiarity in how to safely handle horses under crises conditions.
One University staff member received $3,000 for the promotion of Natural Horsemanship Training Methods. “Natural Horsemanship" is the term coined to describe a method of two-way communication between horse and human that is cooperative in nature. It differs from the more traditional, coercive-type horse training methods in that it offers options to the horse and encourages the horse to choose the desirable option rather than forcing the horse into a single, dictated action.
A saddle club received $9,000 for their club’s arena and grounds project. Included in the grant is funding for road repair and a public address system and upgrades to arena and driveways at the site, which hosts 10 to 15 fun, pleasure and speed shows annually, as well as being used by many clubs. The PA system is a valuable aid in safely controlling equestrian and spectator traffic.
Investigators from a university of Veterinary Medicine received $11,300 to study the effects of hyaluronic acid and triamcinolone alone and in combination on synovitis of equine stifle (which treatment option is best for painful, often debilitating osteoarthritis in a horse’s knee joint). In horses, osteoarthritis is more common and has greater economic impact than acute traumatic injuries or respiratory disease. It is a major source of debilitating pain, economic loss and decreased athleticism in the performance horse noting that 70% of the state's horses are used for recreation or showing.

As you can see this is a legitimate grant program, it's not asking you for any fees and they have a website where you can find out more information about their organization and their grant program.

The information is out there you just have to do the work to find it.

State Charities Are Being Invited To Apply For A $100,000 Grant!

2010-07-01T11:41:00.048-04:00

As I have stated many times before there are lots of grant programs that are looking for eligible applicants! Here is an example of another one!

This free grant program is open to 501(c)(3) organizations located within the state. Your non-profit organization must be focused on improving health experiences or building healthy communities in the areas of:

Childhood health and education -- Projects or initiatives that seek to improve health and academic achievement of children through the educational landscape
Family wellness and active lifestyles -- Projects or initiatives that strengthen the health of families through physical, social, mental, emotional, or environmental support
Health literacy for diverse populations and seniors -- Projects or initiatives dedicated to improving people's ability to access, understand, and use health information, especially low income populations, and seniors

Said one spokesperson for the grant program, "The economy has left many of the nation's nonprofit organizations struggling for financial support to keep up with the increased demand of those in need.

The organization that is sponsoring this grant program to inspire others to lend a hand to the organizations that make a difference in promoting healthy lives and a healthy community.

A panel of local judges, comprised of community leaders, public officials and business representatives, will work with the grant program to select the $100,000 grant winner. Finalists will make a formal presentation before the panel of community-leader judges. The winner will be announced at a celebratory dinner Friday, October 8.

Past grant recipients include:

a nonprofit organization committed to fostering the physical, social, cognitive and emotional growth of young children with special needs
a nationwide nonprofit (with a chapter in the state), which had started a program for new parents.

If your non-profit organization is located in the state (or has a local chapter in the state) then you are encouraged to visit the grant program's website to download a copy of this year's application and review program guidelines. Questions can also be directed to the grant program by phone or by e-mail.

Grants Program For Individual Artists Is Getting It's Funding Back!

2010-06-24T15:12:00.003-04:00

You may find it hard to believe but there are still some grant programs around for individual artists! Some of them are for local artists in local areas but there are other grant programs for artists that are on a more national level!

After receiving protests from hundreds of people, a senate appropriations chairman has announced that a grant program for individual artists will be getting its grant fundingback.

Even though there will be a cut in the amount received the grant program will still continue to operate.

Initially the money would have been transferred to another department who would have them given grants to local communities and the rest of the money would be used for other government services.

However after being "bombarded by e-mails from people complaining about the proposed demise of the program a different decision was made!

More information about this grant program:

This grant program administers grants for local communities and individual artists, devoting much of its focus on smaller communities that provide little in local funds. These smaller grants often form the match required for the programs to receive much larger federal grants.

In some ways this is a very good example of people being able to voice their opinions and have them heard and actually get results!

Another Available Grant Program For Farmers!

2010-06-24T11:56:00.002-04:00

I mentioned on a previous post about there being a grant program for farmers and here is yet another example of a government grant program that is also being made available for farmers!

The U.S. Department of Agriculture already has a free government grant program for farmers. This program offers farmers small grants
to carry out on-farm, practical research, and then to make the results available to their peers.

This specific government grant program, while small in scale, can have a big impact, since they enhance the knowledge and resources that farmers already have, while providing incentive for sharing these with the wider farm community.

One farm that has participated in this grant program has said that they have not only benefited from the free money grant themselves but they have also benefited from the results of other farmers’ projects. As an example the farm converted one of their tractors to run on electric power thanks to the do-it-yourself guide produced by a fellow vegetable-grower who also participated in the grant program.

Another source of "free money" is unclaimed money. Unclaimed money is money that has not been claimed. It may be available as a forgotten bank account or it can be from a number of sources! You may even have money coming to you if you are a relative of a deceased person and there is money from that person's estate that has not been claimed yet!

For more information about unclaimed money just visit my blog The Unclaimed Money Blog.

State Grant Program For Those Who Plan On Attending College In That State!

2010-06-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

This grant awards grant money to state residents who are attending or planning to attend colleges in that state. The amount of the grant(s)go up to a maximum of almost $3,000! And this grant program is available annually!

Students must be full-time undergraduates enrolled in an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree program.

You can find out more about this grant program by visiting their here.

Grants help residents become homeowners!

2010-06-18T16:32:00.001-04:00

Residents are benefiting from a federal program to help save neighborhoods -- and make home ownership a reality for many for the first time!

Though time is running out for these areas to spend millions of federal stimulus dollars buying and renovating abandoned and foreclosed homes in neighborhoods hard-hit by the foreclosure crisis.

Some cities are buying foreclosed properties and fixing them up to sell or rent.

Others are providing grants to low- and moderate-income home buyers to use for down payments and repairs on foreclosed homes they purchase.

Either way, the ultimate goal is the same: to save neighborhoods from a glut of neglected, foreclosed homes, condos and town houses; put more property tax dollars in government coffers; and make home ownership a reality for people who may be buying for the first time.

About five months remain for the county and cities to dole out their shares of federal aid from a program which is an offshoot of a previous government grant program.

The federal government gave U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development money to help communities deal with the rising number of foreclosed vacant properties.
The money trickled down to states, counties and cities. Any money not committed by the end of August goes back into federal coffers unless Congress extends the program! That spend it or lose it aspect has local housing officials scrambling to wrap up everything on time.

"We're on a short time frame but our goal is still to help as many people as we can and spend all of the money we were given," said a spokesperson for the program. So far the agency has assisted in the purchase of at least 61 properties with another 26 under contract waiting to close.

With foreclosure rates among the nation's highest, the need to turn around blighted neighborhoods is crucial, officials have said. Nationally, the federal government set aside about $4 billion for this free government grant program, but only a third of the 300 local governments that received grants have made a dent in them, according to HUD.

Part of the problem has been that investors with fistfuls of cash scoop up foreclosed properties before buyers in the program have a chance to get them.
Earlier this month, HUD eased the program's rules to allow homes in mortgage default and uninhabitable homes with lingering code violations to be purchased instead of having to wait for the foreclosure to go through, which can take months.

To qualify for this financial assistance program, the home, condo, town house or villa must be in the target area designated by that city; it must be a foreclosed property or one in the process of foreclosure; and a buyer must attend a home-buyer counseling course paid for by the program before purchasing a home.

In addition, buyers can earn no more than 120 % of the specific areas' annual median income to be considered for a financial grant.

Some properties will be reserved for families earning as little as $38,250 and individuals making $26,800.

The down payment and repair assistance comes in the form of a forgivable no-interest loan that doesn't have to be paid back as long as the buyer lives in the house for a certain number of years, which varies by city. The range is typically between five and 15 years. Cities vary in the amount of money they offer for down payments and repairs. Some cities set a maximum purchase price for a home to be eligible for a grant, say at $250,000, but other cities don't have that limit.

For one lucky recipient buying a town house would have been impossible without a big boost from the city. The 45-year-old mother and her teenage daughter moved into a town house in September. The city gave her $25,000 for a down payment to buy the foreclosed property, which sold for its listing price of $94,900. The single mother
figures she is saving $400 a month by owning instead of renting. She said the program is a lifesaver! "There's no way I could have put the traditional 10 percent down and qualified to own this place on my own," she said.

She is also hoping to receive grant money for renovations. Before she moved in, she had to buy appliances, light fixtures, an air-conditioning compressor and paint.

Recently, one area increased the amount of their purchase assistance and expanded its target area to cover almost the entire city. Low-income households can now qualify for a maximum of $50,000 for a down payment and repairs, double the previous amount of $25,000, which is available to moderate and middle-income households.

Among the biggest challenges for low- to moderate-income buyers in the government program is increasing competition from private investors.

Says another prospective buyer, "We could never afford to buy a house now without this help. The married couple now rents a small apartment and considers now a great time to buy because prices are down, the market is still flooded with homes for sale and interest rates are still low but nudging higher.

Getting a federal tax credit is another incentive for buyers in the program. First-time buyers can get a tax credit of up to $8,000, and existing homeowners up to $6,500.

There is also another program that has $2.3 million to spend on purchase assistance and repairs!

Grant Program To Grow Speciality Crops!

2010-06-15T15:56:00.002-04:00

One state will be receiving a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and they will be using this grant to provide a grant program of their own! They are extending an open invitation for proposals!

The USDA encourages projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry:

Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops
Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems
Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes
Enhancing food safety
Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops
Pest and disease control
Development of organic and sustainable production practices of specialty crops
Increasing the competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American and disadvantaged farmers. This may include developing local and regional food systems, and improving food access in underserved communities

Grant funds must be used for projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops or that benefit a specialty crop industry as a whole.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encourged to participate as project partners.

A very detailed manual of general program information, application instructions, scoring criteria for applications received and an application template has been prepared. It can be found on their website. While the website provides all of the information listed below, here is a highlight of some of the provisions:

Eligible crops that are classified as ‘specialty crops’ are listed in the manual. If there are any questions, please contact their office.
All applications will be received and reviewed by our department and only those selected will move forward for USDA approval.
Grant applications are capped at $100,000.
Multi-state projects are eligible.

Payments to recipients will be on a quarterly basis and will require an itemized invoice, a brief interim progress report, and documentation of the work or expenses for which payment is requested. University entities that are applying for grant funds must now have a letter(s) of support from the specialty crop industry representatives. Proposals may not exceed 6 pages in length.
Applicants will need to follow the instructions and format in the manual when submitting proposals.

If you have any questions concerning this grant, please feel free to contact the represenative either by phone or via email.

$25,000 Grant Program For Individual Artists!

2010-06-15T15:10:00.003-04:00

This grant program provides financial support
to individual visual artists and craftspeople in one specific region to help promote their artistic growth.

Visual artists and craftspeople who intend to apply for grant must indicate their intent to apply via e-mail following a specified format outlined in the guidelines.

The grant amount is between $15,000 and $25,000 and can support activities that will contribute to the artistic development of the recipient.

Visual artists and craftspeople whose resume and body of work demonstrate a strong commitment to an artistic discipline are eligible to apply. Collaborating visual artists and craftspeople are also eligible to apply.

Previous Grant Recipients include:

sculptor
painter
pottery maker
an eco-artist
new media artist

Applicants must have been a permanent residence within the region for at least two years before application and plan to maintain permanent residence in the region during the grant period.

The grant application and guidelines, along with complete details and instructions for applying, are now available at the website.

To learn more about this grant program you can contact the program consultant either by email or by phone.

The organization that founded this grant program has been working to improve the quality of life in their communities since 1962. It manages a collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families, and corporations. Each year, the organization awards about $30 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarship funds to students.

For information about this organization you can visit their website or you can contact them by phone.

Ever Wonder What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Student Loan(s)?

2010-06-05T12:56:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered what happens if you don't pay off your student loans? Well there is an article online about a doctor who has been arrested for operating without a license. Their license was suspended because the doctor didn't pay off her student loans!

According to the online article the doctor defaulted on four federal loans she used to pay for her tuition at college and medical school. The doctor owes over $200,000 in student loans!

Even though she was under court order to pay off a portion of her student loans she didn't do so. So now she has been arrested and being held on bail.

You can read this article by clicking here.

Foreigners Are Able To Take Advantage Of Government Grant Programs Too!

2010-06-03T12:33:00.001-04:00

Did you know......

A Taiwanese immigrant who came to America seven years ago is now living in a townhouse that she shares with her husband and their two children. The townhouse has two bedrooms, one and a half baths, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen courtesy of a federal grant program for first-time homebuyers which aims to maintain and support economic diversity, improve housing environments, prevent homelessness and provide access to public and private facilities for people with disabilities!

$10,000 Annual Grant Award For Graphic Designers!

2010-06-01T16:57:00.003-04:00

An annual graphic design competition that honors great designs printed or published during a 12 month period.

The judges will select a First Place Winner who will receive a $10,000 cash award, and five $1,000 winners will also be selected.

Applicants must send the actual printed piece. Send slides or high-resolution digital files (TIFF or JPEG file formats) on CD for oversized work. (Signage, large posters, etc.) For three dimensional pieces send the actual piece and a slide or digital files. An entry coupon must be taped to the back of each item submitted. For logos, symbols or trademarks state the nature of the clients business. Work is not returned. You can visit the website for more information.

If You Are Looking For Scholarships.............

2010-06-01T15:22:00.003-04:00

If you are looking for free scholarships why don't you start your search online? The internet would be the very best place to start looking for scholarships. The only place that is more better for looking for scholarships is the financial aid offices of the schools that you want to apply for.

Got to a bookstore or your local library to find free books that list scholarship and grant information programs.

The very best warning signal as to whether it is a scam or not is if you are promised the scholarship (or grant). The normal process involves you having to apply for the scholarship or grant and your application has to be reviewed and hopefully approved!

Grant Program For Local Area Businesses

2010-05-28T15:29:00.003-04:00

Owners of commercial properties may be able to get the exterior of their buildings revamped using a combination of government and private funding.

This grant program is being funded by the Department of Community and Economic Development and they will be contributing $30,000 in conjunction with another matching grant amount of $30,000.

In order to be eligible for the grants, property owners must contribute at least $5000 towards the revamping of their buildings.

Yet ANOTHER Grant Program For Individual Artists!

2010-05-27T14:33:00.004-04:00

Although this grant program is being provided to only certain localities it is still a very good example of a grant program that is still around that is providing financial help to individual artists!

This funding program has been made possible through funding by the area's arts fund which made funding available by the area's state legislature with money from the vote of the people!

This program is designed to enable artists to set aside time to work to achieve specific career goals, to purchase supplies and materials, to participate in advanced study not related to a degree program, or to pursue other activities that will allow them to meet their artistic goals.

Artists working in the visual, literary, or performing arts are eligible to apply to this program which has one deadline per year. The award consists of $5,000 each to established artists and emerging artist will receive an award of $2,500 each!

The guidelines are available at the organization's website where you can also get their mailing address. You can also contact them by email or phone - via their toll-free number.

Are You Looking For Forgiveable Loans?

2010-05-27T11:58:00.003-04:00

Some free grants are in the form of loans and are what is called forgiveable loans. Which means if you do not sell your business then the loan is forgiven and over time period and you do not pay anything back!

The whole goal with free grants is to strengthen America and it workforce.

More Help For Students!

2010-05-27T11:04:00.002-04:00

Here is more information about the recently-passed student loan reform program:

The student loan reform does not eliminate private lending it only requires that students receiving federal loans acquire them directly from the government.

It seems that so far 20,000 people have signed up for this kind of program.

Full time students are eligible who work at least 20 hours a week.

College students can now apply for food stamps and still get grants and government loans. However students will now only be able to get their student loans through the government.

Thinking About Starting A Group Home? Here's An Excerpt.....

2010-05-25T15:16:00.003-04:00

Are you thinking about starting a group home? Here is a copy of a reply that I gave to someone who wanted to know more about how to start a group home.

Do you have anything specific in mind as to what kind of children will be in your group home? Are they going to live there? Will you be taking handicapped / disabled children, etc., what? The general definition of a group home is:

Group homes are small, residential facilities located within a community and designed to serve children or adults with chronic disabilities. These homes usually have six or fewer occupants and are staffed 24 hours a day by trained caregivers.

Since the passage of an Act in 1963, grants have been available to group homes. State and federal funds such as the Medicaid Home continue to support the majority of group homes. However, some homes operate on donations from private citizens or civic and religious organizations. Most group homes are owned by private rather than governmental organizations, and can be either non-profit or for-profit organizations.

One thing that you should be well aware of is that where ever you want your group home to be you will have to get the permission of the neighborhood locality! You will have to present your plans to them and hopefully they will approve it. You just can't "set up" a group home without getting prior approval.

If you do a little bit of research online you will definitely find a wealth of information about starting a group how!

Are There Still Investors Around?

2010-05-20T13:34:00.003-04:00

As hard as it may seem to believe the answer is yes - there are still investors and angel investors that are still around (although they don't seem to advertise much!).

To find out more information about investors you can visit my Investor's Bulletin Board site.

Grant(s) To Help Start A Business?

2010-05-15T14:33:00.004-04:00

"I am trying to find a type of grant for a vehicle so I can start a delivery business. If anyone has any ideas please let me know."

Most of the grant programs that I have seen to help one start a business basically start out with you having to submit a business plan (and hopefully you have one!)

If you are a minority then there is a grant program that you can apply for that awards up to $35,000 so that you can start your own business - but pleased be advised that you will have to submit a business plan in order to apply!

Many states (and more local areas) are starting (or already have) grant programs to help locals / residents start a business but again be advised that you will have to submit a business plan (in most of them). So you can also start checking your state (and more local) website(s) to see what kind of grant programs that they have available.

Any Grant Programs To Help The Elderly / Disabled With Home Repair?

2010-05-04T17:30:00.003-04:00

"Are There Any Grant Programs To Help The Elderly / Disabled With Home Repair?"

Here is an excerpt from one of my previous blog posts:

There is a national program for the elderly, blind and/or disabled to help assist eligible, payment-troubled customers who are at least 62 years of age, blind or disabled. Program features include a lower monthly gas rate, debt forgiveness, emergency heating equipment repair or replacement, and conservation measures depending upon individual circumstances.

For more information about this program you can visit their website

You have to understand that there are grant programs available for the elderly to help with home repairs - you just have to know where to look for the information!

Is Your Woman-Owned Business Already Established But You Are Still Looking For Grant Money To Help Your Business Grow?

2010-05-04T15:33:00.006-04:00

A program has been established to help women entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services. This program provides a combination of coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses. The program was started with a goal to inspire women entrepreneurs

In order to be eligible for this program:

the company must be at least 50% owned by at least one woman who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
The business should be at least two years old and have annual revenues of at least $200,000.

Applications are solicited and processed throughout the year.

Applications are screened by the program's staff and a team of banking and financial professionals selected by the program.

To find out more about this program you can visit their website to find out more information.

Another Grant Program Providing Free Homes To Veterans!

2010-04-29T14:36:00.003-04:00

Previously I blogged about a program that provides free homes to veterans. I have now found yet another program that is doing the same thing!

Some injured vets are getting help from what may seem an unlikely source!

One recipient and his wife were rewarded with an unexpected gift: a home built especially for them, mortgage-free.

This program was started to help give wounded veterans a place to call home and is a way of saying thanks.

Since 2005, this organization has built four houses. Five more are under construction, and the idea is being expanded into a national campaign.

The program started when the founder of this organization met a U.S. Marine that had been gravely injured in Iraq. The injured vet desperately needed to remodel his house to accommodate his son's wheelchair. "I had no idea how I was going to pay for it," he said. "I just knew that I had to get it done."

The founder of the organization mobilized an army of carpenters, plumbers and suppliers who took on the remodeling job for free. They widened doorways, built a ramp to the back door and made the bathroom handicapped-accessible. Anything that needed to be done was taken care of.

With donations from suppliers and contractors the group can build a $300,000 house for $25,000 to $50,000. Each house is fully furnished and customized to meet the needs of each family and is mortgage-free. The group also covers the taxes and insurance for two years!

Another recipient of this program who received a free home in November 2008 turned his fortune around. He is now studying for his doctorate in public safety; his wife earned her master's degree and is now a special education teacher.

The organization is determined to help as many families as they can. They are trying to enlist builders' associations across the country to join the crusade, with the goal of building 100 homes.

You can find out more about this program by visiting the website

A $200K Grant Prize Award For Non-Profit Groups!

2010-04-20T17:08:00.003-04:00

It seems that in the last decade, more of the wealthy have been creating prizes in hopes of drawing attention to a particular cause. It doesn’t hurt that their names are on the prizes.

According to a report released last year the dollar amount for prizes over $100,000 has tripled in the last decade to $375 million a year. There has also been a shift from prizes that recognized past accomplishments to “inducement"-style prizes that focus on achieving a specific, future goal.

One particular grant program fits into this category. It was established five years ago and awards a $250,000 prize to recognize leadership among nonprofit groups worldwide and share their best practices.

Past recipients have ranged from a project on rural land development to this year’s recipient non-profit group which educates children in rural India. The group will receive its award later on this week.

Did you know that there was a study that said that 10 years ago a third of all prizes went to the arts, but today only a 10th do that. The focus now is on the environment, science, engineering and aviation, where the dollar amounts of prizes have increased sevenfold, according to the study.

Entrepreneurs who made their money in fast-growing industries of the last decade, like technology and biotechnology, particularly like prizes because of their ability to spur people to do work in a particular area. For example there is a prize award competition which gives out a prize of at least $10 million for the first group to achieve a specific goal.

Are You In Need Of A Car?

2010-04-17T14:57:00.003-04:00

Did you know that there is an organization that provides a needy people with a vehicle to assure their safe journey as they seek work or travel to and from work!

The cars that are donated are carefully inspected before being made available to a qualified individual. To qualify to receive a vehicle, the individual must demonstrate that they will be able to maintain the car and purchase the required insurance.

For information about about this program you can visit the organization's website or you can contact them by mail or phone.

Grant Program For Individual Artists!

2010-04-15T15:51:00.002-04:00

Two artists have received individual grant awards. One artist grant was for writing and the other grant was awarded for poetry.

The local organization that sponsors this grant program supports the professional development of individual artists in a local five-county region of one state.

Review criteria include merit and artistic quality, ability of the applicant to successfully carry out the project, and the need for the project.

Individual grants of up to $2,000 are available to artists at least 18 years of age working in the visual, literary or performing arts.

Information about the individual artist grant program and application forms can be found at the organization's website or by calling them by phone.

The deadline for the next grant round is May 15, 2010!

Grant Program For Minorities That Want To Start Their Own Business!

2010-04-15T15:02:00.002-04:00

Over $100,000 has been donated in business grants to minority businesses!

One business received $100,000 alone!

Other start-up businesses received a grant of $25,000 each! (One of these businesses is a start-up tutoring business).

So far over $1 Million Dollars has been awarded to emerging minority businesses. Businesses across the country competed for an opportunity to win a total of $200,000 in business grants!

This grant program was launched to stimulate economic growth and development in urban communities. In addition to the grant money, the program provides web-based educational resources including webinars, blogs and business advice from national judges and past winners.

So if you are a minority and are looking for free money to help start a business of your own then this is one program that you should be looking into further! You can find out more information about this program by going to the program's website!

In The News Headlines!

2010-04-15T13:55:00.001-04:00

"The US government has awarded billions to companies doing business with Iran, often in violation of US sanctions, over the past decade...."

source
Fox News.com

Scholarship Program For High School Seniors!

2010-04-13T16:33:00.002-04:00

In one local area graduating seniors are urged to apply for a number of scholarships now available through a state program. Full information and applications for most of these scholarships are available at the website. Applications for the following are due April 2010

One of the scholarship programs provides up to four $28,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who will major in engineering, mathematics or science.

Another scholarship program will provide several scholarships of at least $1,000 annually for tuition assistance to students pursuing an LPN, RN or BSN Nursing Degree.

Yet another scholarship program will provide a minimum of a $1,000 scholarship for tuition assistance to students of Portuguese descent.

Another scholarship program will provide at least $500 worth of tuition assistance to the area's graduating seniors whose parent or grandparent were also a graduate of the same high school!

Another scholarship fund has been established to annually provide at least $3,000 to a graduating senior who intends to study business!

Another scholarship program will award one scholarship of at least $2,000 to a senior in the hopes that he or she will return to the area after college and establish a business.

If You REALLY Need Financial Help.......

2010-04-09T16:40:00.003-04:00

If you really need financial help then there are avenues available to you. Although one may get skeptical by seeing the term "free money" - did you know that such a thing really does exist!

I have been doing grant research for quite some time now and I have found a number of interesting (to say the least) programs out there that are providing financial assistance for those that need it! For example lets take a look at some of the more unusual financial help that is available.

Did you know that there is actually a website on the Internet where you can request money! That's right! You post your request for how much money you need and what you need the money for and your post is submitted. You don't have to worry about others seeing your request because your request is submitted privately! Individual people have received as much as $500 from this website and all they had to do was request the money!

Did you know that there are programs outside the government grant programs that offer financial help to those that need it? For instance there is a religious organization that provides over $5,000 of financial help to those that need it? The funding is provided for emergency financial need! However you will not find this program on the government grant website because it is not a government grant program. This program is being provided by a religious organization that simply wants to help people that need money for a financial emergency! They don't even have a website! In order to apply for the money you will have to reach them by phone or by regular snail mail. Unfortunately their phone number is not a toll-free number so long distance charges will apply when you contact them by phone.

Have you ever heard of "unclaimed money"? Quite simply that is money that goes unclaimed. Each state should have a listing of unclaimed money and who it belongs to. So you should check the lists to see if you or someone you know is on this list! I have seen unclaimed amounts as high as $32,000!

If you really financial assistance then there are programs out there that may be able to help you! Remember what they say - "where there is a will there is a way"!

And I am quite sure that this is just the "tip" of the iceberg! I'm sure that there are many, many more programs out there that will help to provide financial assistance! I just haven't found them all yet - LOL! There are probably so many of them out there that no one person could ever be able to find them all!

NEW $100,000 Business Plan Competition Announced!

2010-04-06T16:12:00.004-04:00

A new business plan competition! has been announced which will feature $100,000 in cash prizes! The money is being provided by a financial services firm.

The winners will be announced in June 2010!

So far, the competition has received applications from more than two dozen hopefuls, including would-be microbrewers and laid-off scientists!

Is Your Business Having Problems Getting A Loan?

2010-04-06T16:03:00.002-04:00

In one state there were so many complaints from owners who could not get bank loans, that someone decided to start a new small-business loan program. The program is administered by the local council and uses county funds and a $5 million line of credit.

The program is aimed at owners who want to purchase land, machinery, equipment or buildings but do not have adequate income or net worth to qualify for conventional bank loans. The maximum loan is $500,000, and in the few weeks since the program was announced more than 100 owners have already applied for the funding!

ANOTHER Grant Program For Small Businesses!

2010-04-06T15:46:00.005-04:00

Here is another example of "free money that our government is giving away!

Did you know that one area in California is using federal stimulus funds to give immediate aid to small-business owners. The $25 million program reimburses owners for 100 percent of the wages for certain new hires. So far, restaurants, cafes, delivery services and even law firms have hired nearly 1,800 people through this program! More than 800 businesses have signed up for the program, and the area is pushing to extend it beyond its expiration date in September!

*Also please be sure to visit my blog about unclaimed money called The Unclaimed Money Blog.

More Financial Aid For Students Now Available!

2010-04-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

One state has now approved a bill that will provide over $9 Million Dollars in additional financial aid that will help make a college education more affordable in the current academic year. These grants will be money paid directly to students to help offset the cost of a college education.

These college-related grants are considered free money because the money does not have to be paid back!

State Grant Program For Individual Artists

2010-03-26T16:11:00.002-04:00

Here is another grant program for individual artists

A new $3 Million Dollar annual grant program has been announced for artists in one particular state! This grant program will hope to answer the question "Who will create opportunities for artists who have been poor in money and opportunity?"

Three $25,000 individual grants will be awarded for experienced artists in the state.
Three $20,000 grants to state institutions with artist-in-residence programs. Half of the grants will be given to resident artists to offset work and living expenses during residencies.
Grants to institutions for the historical documentation of major exhibitions on artists of the state.
Grants to art institutions for the improvement of exhibition space
Grants to underwrite visits to the state by nationally recognized curators and critics who can expose local artists to the national art world
Grants to institutions for the acquisition of artworks
Grants for a special program that would provide assistance to artists for unforeseen special projects, such as expenses to finish artwork for a major exhibition sponsored by a national art museum.

The organization that is funding this grant program will begin accepting applications for the different fellowships and grants at different times later this year.

While no other organization in the state offers a more financially lucrative grant program for artists there is another organization that offers one $20,000 individual fellowship to similarly experienced artists. But this fellowship program is awarded annually to artists of different disciplines, including the performing arts, visual arts, media arts and literature.

The impact of this funding program will be felt by the art community at large. Documenting major exhibitions is crucial, for instance, both for the sake of stewardship and historical documentation. One of the most impressive shows in recent memory arrived to critical fanfare but with no catalog to document the show for future generations. The financially strapped Art Museum didn't have the money to produce one.

After five years, the foundation will evaluate the impact of the programs on the community and the foundation's overall financial situation. Then, a decision will be made whether to continue.

Rarely do foundations give directly to individuals because they are required to disperse money to public charities. So it asked the Internal Revenue Service for special dispensation, promising that all individual grants would be used for charitable purposes.

Hiring A GrantWriter - Here is an excerpt

2010-03-16T10:47:00.000-04:00

It is common for grant writers to charge a thousand dollars or more for a grant proposal. This is often due in part to the time and research needed to create a winning document. Some grant writers charge varying fees depending on the type of individual or organization seeking the grant, as well as the type of grant. Although this seems like a large cost, it does improve ones chances of receiving funding. When gauging fees, be sure to take the number of grants available, as well as the funding allotted. It may be in your best interest to research grant writing and do it yourself if the grant is for $5,000 or less or if a limited number of grants are available.

Could You Use A Free CellPhone? - Government Grant Program!

2010-03-09T09:03:00.001-05:00

Believe it or not there is actually a government grant program where you can get a free cellphone! Of course you have to be eligible to get one!

One of the eligibility requirements is that you have to be considered as low-incomed. Another important thing to know is that this free government grant program is not available in all states!

However if you do meet the eligibility requirements then you will be able to get a free cellphone mailed to you. You won't even have to pay shipping and handling charges. You will also not have to pay for the phone itself because it is free as well.

What do you get with this free cellphone? There are no contracts for you to sign and you won't be billed for your allotted usage of the phone. If you want to buy more minutes then you can do so but you will have to pay for it. Other than that the cellphone and the usage is free!

You can find out more about this free cellphone program by visiting this website!

Local University Has A Grant Program For Students!

2010-03-06T15:56:00.004-05:00

Are you a student feeling the financial crunch of the current economy? For those who may feel they have "reached the end of their rope," there is a place to turn. There is now a support program which is a free, confidential resource for graduate and undergraduate students experiencing financial emergencies.

Says a spokesperson for the program, "One of our goals is to help keep students in school." Students in financial emergencies fill out an application, which is stripped of any identifying information and sent to the board consisting of other students.

While grants do offer support for the short term financial emergencies, the program also offers long-term direction to external resources and financial tips for students.

The website states that another goal of the foundation is to "help students who apply for grants to become more self-reliant through advice and suggestions of reliable resources on campus and in the community.

Grants may be awarded to those who need help with textbooks, food, medical emergencies, emergency travel or daycare to name a few. There are some things the grants will not cover including fines and fees, tuition, counseling services or cell phone bills.

For a complete list, students are encouraged to visit the website.

It is important to remember that everything to do with the program, from students applying for grants to members of the board, is completely confidential and anonymous. Applications are stripped of all identifying information including names, addresses, and even majors, before they are passed to the board. Students on the board are anonymous to ensure that those applying for emergency financial assistance feel safe and comfortable doing so.

If you are in a financial emergency and need assistance “there are many options available to you. You can visit their website to learn more about the program or to fill out an application for a grant“. There are also 2 email addresses that you can mail your grant applications to - these email addresses are also provided on the website as well!

Also, the Student Support Foundation is looking for both graduate and undergraduate students to be on the board. Check out the website for a description of board membership, fill out an application and email it to either Fuller or Tardif. If you're in serious financial need, don't forget that your friends at the SSF can help!

Four Business Plans Win Cash In Contest!

2010-03-06T14:53:00.004-05:00

The first prize cash amount for this contest is $50,000! The recipient's business plan that won first place will use its technology to use vibrations to power small electronic devices, including sensors and medical devices.

A student group proposing to make tiny device that scavenges energy out of small vibrations won the second annual prize.

Other finalists included:

a business which developed a method to produce silane gas on-site for customers in a novel manner that is flexible, low-cost and environmentally benign
a business plan which seeks to place small food digesters outside restaurants and cafeterias to produce natural gas from decomposing food
a business which will offer a proprietary smart battery management system, enhancing battery utilization in electric vehicles.

Says a spokesperson for the competition, "this prize is part of the effort to meet the challenges I've described. It's also part of the effort to develop an entrepreneurial culture and a culture of innovation."

Officials from the company said they used their prize money to move their technology forward and as evidence of the strength of their concept -- eventually winning a stipend and work space from another organization and more funding from another funding program that provides seed capital for businesses.

Grant Program For Local Public Schools!

2010-03-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

Foundation Announces Availability of $150,000 in Education Grants

One foundation is helping area public schools better prepare students to compete in the 21st century. Amid the increased focus on student achievement, public schools across the state are invited to apply for $150,000 in grants for programs to improve students' skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

For its second year, the foundation will award grants of $10,000 each to 15 public schools across the state!

More information on the grant process is available at the foundation's website.

For more information on last year's winners, just click here.

Last year this foundation awarded more than $50 Million Dollars in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad!

For more information on the foundation just click here.

Grant Program For Fire Fighters!

2010-03-03T14:32:00.001-05:00

It has been announced that 33 state organizations have been awarded a total of over $3 Million Dollars! This grant funding will be used to support operations and firefighter safety and to purchase firefighting vehicles for various fire departments in that state.

According to a spokesperson, “This grant program provides our local firefighters and first responders with the equipment and support to help keep our communities safe. These brave men and women are on the front lines when disaster strikes and these dollars will make sure they are better protected in the line of duty. The firefighters and first responders of our state play a critical role in keeping us safe and secure. These federal dollars will help provide them with the resources they need to protect communities across the state.”

This program awards grants grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to improve the effectiveness of operations and health and safety programs and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States.

Grants are awarded competitively through an application process. More information can be found at the program's website.

Another source of money is unclaimed money“. Unclaimed money is money that has gone unclaimed such as those in long forgotten bank accounts and other type of accounts. To find out more information about unclaimed money you can visit my blog, The Unclaimed Money Blog.

Local Grant Program For Area Teachers!

2010-03-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

This year, this grant program hopes to award about $125,000 in grants to classroom teachers. In addition, individual educators or groups of teachers may also submit grant requests for consideration.

Out of 67 grant requests last year, a total of 51 were funded!

A spokesperson for this grant program has said, "We’re always trying to get more teachers to apply, because the chances are pretty good for being funded. At this point, I think all of the teachers know about us, but they don’t all apply. My hope is that they’d be sitting in their classroom thinking, ‘Gosh, if I only had the funding, I could do this and this and this. Well, we’ve got the funding.”

This grant program is always encouraging teachers to think outside the box and in expansive terms when making grant requests!

"In the very first grant round, there were teachers writing for things like a trip around the world so that they could document it. They were told to dream big — and so they did.”

One grant was for the hiring of a guidance counselor. Another project that was funded was for a program that now provides post-high school planning, complete with a research library, financial aid seminars and workshops on how to write an effective college or employment application.

So far the organization that funds this program has pumped almost $1.2 million directly into local classroom projects over a 7-year period. In terms of grants, fully 20 percent of the dollars awarded have gone to fund projects that fall under the category heading of “Creative/Arts.” Music and art grant requests have been favorably received. Along with the arts, annual grant awards go to support programs in math, science, language arts, reading, technology and vocational skills.

These grants are made possible through individual and business donations to the local, non-profit organization. To learn more about the group and its programs, or to make a donation you can visit their website or contact them by phone.

Grant Program For Caregivers!

2010-02-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

Grant Program For Family Caregivers

Program For Family Caregivers - BENEFITS: When you are not feeling well, home is where you want to be, no matter what your age. The major focus of this support program is to reinforce the care being given to frail family members at home. The major benefit, therefore, is that it allows caregivers to choose from available services.

The package of benefits begins with an assessment to determine what benefits best meet the needs of the caregiver and the older person receiving care. Benefits could also include counseling, education and financial information. This program takes a cost-sharing approach: income-eligible families may receive up to $200 per month to help with out-of-pocket expenses ranging from respite care to adult briefs. In addition, one-time grants of up to $2,000 may be given to qualified families to modify the home or purchase assistive devices to accommodate the frail relative. Such adaptations might include installing a stair climb or modifying a bathroom. Eligibility for this caregiver program is determined on a sliding scale and is based on income.

Still Need Help Paying Your Bills?

2010-02-25T13:08:00.001-05:00

"I'm making payment arrangements with my utility company but I am still having problems paying my bill(s)......."

If you are making payment arrangements but are still having problems with paying your bill(s) then I suggest that you go online, do a little research and find the sites that let you request money. Some of them will require documentation on your part but I know of at least one site where you can request money but don't have to submit anything besides your request, how much you are requesting and what you need the money for. As far as this one site goes you can request up to $1000 but requests of higher amounts will be considered if your reason for needing the money is compelling enough.

Another source of money is unclaimed money. You (or a family member or spouse) may be on the list for unclaimed money and not even know it! To find out more information about what "unclaimed" money is just visit my blog, The Unclaimed Money Blog.

Still Think That There Are No Grants To Start A Business?

2010-02-21T17:55:00.003-05:00

While on Twitter someone sent me a message saying that the SBA (short for the Small Business Administration) was not aware of any government grants to help start a business.

My reply was that just because the SBA says that they are not aware of any government grant programs to help start a business - that doesn't mean that there aren't any out there.

Secondly it is NOT only the government that has grant programs! Here are some excerpts from my files and databases:

If you are out of work, you may be able to get money (up to $10,000) to live on as well as money to pay for entrepreneur training in order to run your own business. These programs are run with federal money and state money. Each state has different rules and the main idea is that they have money for you to train to get a better job along with money to live on while you are training. And your new job can be starting your own business! These programs are run through state offices located in your state capital but will have additional offices all over your state. You can find your local office by calling 411 and asking for the state capital operator in your state capital or you can visit their online website for more information.
Maybe you don't need a bunch of money to get your idea off the ground. Maybe all you need is just a few thousand dollars to get started. Well, there are hundreds of non-profit organizations that offer small grants and easy loans aimed at people who would never be able to get money from traditional sources. It is difficult to locate all of these groups around the country but two good starting places are.........
There is an international entrepreneurship competition for bold and innovative business ideas that can help to solve some of the key challenges of this century.
The goal of the competition is to promote the creation of sustainable new business ventures that combine financial returns with social and environmental benefits. These can include new products and services, operational processes and business models.

The competition encourages ground breaking innovation and problem solving – challenging entrepreneurs from across the world to make a real difference through developing new markets and making a sustainable profit.

To enter, participants business ideas must address a key challenge. Entrants will be required to write a 5-page outline summarizing their business idea.

This competition is looking for the best business ideas from across the world!

Entries will be accepted from individuals, teams, new companies, existing companies creating spin-offs, students, scientists, academics and entrepreneurs. Regional, national and international participation is encouraged.

Business ideas can be based on a new product, a service, operational process or business model.

To be considered eligible for this program one of the requirements is that the business idea be a commercial, for-profit venture! If you are not sure whether or not your business idea meets the criteria, this program is happy to discuss your particular case.

All entries must be submitted via their website!. If you have a question or query about a plan that you have already submitted, you can also contact them by email using this email address.

Again, please do not tell me that there are no grant programs to help start a business!

Scholarship Program For Minorities!

2010-02-20T21:32:00.003-05:00

There is another foundation that has a free scholarship program that allows young people from minority and economically disadvantaged backgrounds not only to realize their artistic dreams, but also to give back to their communities.

The areas of study include: architecture, cartooning, crafts, environmental graphics, fashion design, film/theater design (costume, set, lighting), film/video, fine arts, furniture design, graphic design, illustration, industrial/product design, interior design, landscape architecture, new media, photography, surface/Textile design, and urban planning.

Grants For Homes And Home Repairs!

2010-02-16T09:16:00.004-05:00

So many people seem to be looking for grants for homes and home repair, please take note of this excerpt:

"There are literally hundreds of free money programs for people to fix up their home. The government has free grant money to make your home more energy efficient, grants for seniors and those with disabilities to fix up their homes, and forgivable loans (the same as free money) if you buy a home that needs to be fixed up. There are many agencies and hundreds of local and non-profit groups that provide this free money for home fix-upfree money for home fix-up.

There is also an assistance program that is offered by utility and gas companies in many states. This organization, and the aid they will give provides energy assistance funds to families and individuals in need of help. In addition, the program will offer additional aid, such as help for paying medical bills, rent or housing costs, and more. You should check your state's website to see if this program is available in your own area!

You should also be aware that many localities receive grant money to buy vacant and foreclosed properties in their own local areas so that they can then rent and sell those properties at a reduced cost to low-incomed people.

There's even a grant program to help Jewish families relocate!

There are countless programs available out there that can help with some of your home repairs and there are a few programs where you may even be able to get a home for free but please bear in mind that you really have to research this kind of information!

A Prize For Writings

About Slavery

Here is a prize offered yearly for books that have been published the previous year on topics of slavery, resistance, and/or abolition. Works related to the American Civil War are eligible only if their primary focus is slavery, resistance, and/or abolition.

Deadline to apply: April 3rd

Award: $25,000!

You can contact this organization via regular mail, phone, fax (long distance charges will apply), email or you can visit their website.

Grants For

Financial Emergencies!

There is an organization that can help you with paying an emergency bill such as sending a payment to a creditor for an expense for a relatively small, emergency expense which the individual or family could not have anticipated or prepared for.

The goal of this grant program is to prevent an otherwise self-sufficient individual or family from entering the cycle of poverty as a result of the financial burden posed by a relatively small emergency expense.

You can request a grant if:

You have encountered a short-term emergency expense that must be paid if you are to remain self-sufficient, but that you do not have the means to afford without assistance. For example, a person who lives in an area that does not have access to public transportation and needs help to repair the car that keeps him or her working working would be an excellent candidate for this kind of grant
You need help to afford a single, regularly-scheduled expense (your rent, for example) because of a short-term, emergency situation that has temporarily reduced your income. For example, a person who normally can afford to pay his or her rent but lost 10 days pay due to an injury would be an excellent candidiate for this grant program

In order to qualify for this grant:

At least one member of your household must be currently employed on a full-time basis
Your household's single largest source of income must be income earned from work
Your household's total earned income must equal at least the cost of your monthly rental or mortgage plus $250, but not more than the cost of your monthly rental or mortgage plus $2500.00
The expense with which you need assistance can be paid on your behalf, directly to a vendor
The expense with which you need assistance can be paid in full for no more than the maximum grant for which your household qualifies

Please Note: These grants cannot be used to remit payment for regular expenses that an applicant can no longer afford due to a long-term reduction in income. For example, an applicant that has suffered a long-term reduction in income and, as a result, can no longer afford to remit payment for his or her monthly housing cost, car payment, or utilities would not be a good candidate for this grant program.

Also if you need assistance to afford a small, irregular expense which would substantially improve the quality of your life, but which you cannot afford without assistance due to your fixed income you should also apply for this type of grant.

If you have any questions about this grant or grant program or about the eligibility criteria, you are encouraged to contact the organization before completing an application. The organization says that it will respond to your question(s) as quickly as they can.

"Are there any grant programs that will help me buy a house?"

There are plenty of government grant programs that will help you to buy a home by helping to pay money towards your down payment and closing costs. However there is no government grant program that I know of as of yet that will pay for the entire purchase of a house.....

There is only one exception that I have on file that I know of......

There is a grant program that provides free homes to veteransveterans. These homes are provided free of any mortgages! But please bear in mind that this is not a government grant program. This is a program being provided by an organization outside of the government and in order to qualify to apply for this program you do have to be a veteran!

Grants For Playing Tennis....

2010-01-20T10:17:00.002-05:00

There is an organization that provides funding to competitive junior players aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings. Funding will be based on the success level of the player in the previous year. Must be training and competing in tournaments year-round. Have a history of strong national tournament results.

The grant award is a maximum of $10,000!

For more information you can contact them either by phone or by email for more information.

What Should You Do If You Get A Shut-Off Notice?

What should you do if you receive a shut off notice? The first piece of advice that I can give to you would be for you to call your utility company and see if there is a way that you can make some kind of payment arrangement with them.

I know that in my own area the utility company will send you information about programs that they may have to help you with your utility bill(s). While this may not be considered as free money exactly, it is a way to be able to get your utility bill balance lowered.

You should also know that - at least in my area - the utility company has someone that they have to answer to and if you feel that you are not being treated fairly by your utility company then you can report them!

There are also grant programs out there that may be able to help you as well. Here is a link to a blog post from someone who managed to get 2 government grants to help get their heating turned back on!

There may also be an organization or charity that may be able to provide financial assistance to help you with your bills. I know of one local organization in my area that will provide a payment to your utility company to help you with your bill if you receive a shut off notice. All you have to do is send or fax them a copy of your shut off notice to prove that you really did get a shut-off notice.

I am also starting to notice that there are quite a few websites out there that will let you request money. Some of these sites require you to submit documentation as proof but I know of at least one website where you can request up to $1000 and sometimes even more if your reason is compelling enough. All you have to do is submit your request of how much money you would like to have and what you need that money for. As I stated in a previous here on this blog, I have seen people receive as much as $500!

*Another source of money that you may not be aware of is unclaimed money. You can find out more about unclaimed money by visiting my blog - The Unclaimed Money Blog.

Free Grants For Dental Care!

Many people are unaware of the services in their own home town. The ones that do know about it think it's only for helping handicapped citizens. Wrong. This program is in a position to help with free surgery, dental work and much, much more.

If you are employed, but a health problem may prevent you from continuing to work, your local office can help. Especially convenient for those who need a major operation, but have no insurance, This organization will pay for the doctors' visits, medication, actual surgery, recuperative equipment and physical therapy, as well as major dental work, too.

Please look in your area to see if you are eligible to apply for this program!

$25,000 Poetry Award!

2010-01-15T10:17:00.002-05:00

Grant money for writers

Grant money for poetry

Financial awards in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) or poetry are available to published, creative writers. Theses kinds of awards allow writers to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement.

Individuals may apply only once each year.

Since this is a government grant program all individuals must submit their applications electronically via the government's official website!

The deadline to apply is March 4, 2010!

If you have questions about your application, please contact the staff by email or by phone.

In the event of a major emergency that affects a large number of applicants for an extended period of time (e.g., a multi-state power outage or a natural disaster such as a hurricane), the program may decide to adjust application deadlines for applicants in the affected area. If this occurs, the program will post an announcement on its Web site.

Competition for this program is extremely rigorous. Potential applicants should consider carefully whether their work will be competitive at the national level.

This program does not fund:

Individuals who previously have received two or more awards from this program
News reporting
Scholarly writing
Work toward academic degrees

You are eligible to apply in Poetry if, between January 1, 2003, and March 4, 2010, you have had published

A volume of 48 or more pages of poetry
Twenty or more different poems or pages of poetry in five or more literary journals, anthologies, or publications which regularly include poetry as a portion of their format. Up to 16 poems may be in a single volume of poetry of fewer than 48 pages. This volume, however, may count as only one of the required five places of publication

Applicants may use online publications to establish up to fifty percent of their eligibility, provided that such publications have competitive selection processes and stated editorial policies.

You must apply in a specific literary form (i.e., fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry). You must establish your eligibility in the form in which you apply. You must meet the eligibility requirements by the deadline date. No exceptions will be made to the eligibility requirements. The following may not be used to establish eligibility:

Pre-publication material, such as galleys, proofs, and advance reader's copies
Self-publication including work that has appeared in a publication for which you are the editor, publisher, or staff
Collaborative work
Scholarly writing
Instructional writing
Journalism
Book reviews
Editorials/letters to the editor
Interviews
Student publications and publications which primarily print work by persons who are affiliated with a particular academic institution
Vanity press publication

For the purposes of this category, a vanity press is defined as one that does any of the following: requires individual writers to pay for part or all of the publication costs; asks writers to buy or sell copies of the publication; publishes the work of anyone who subscribes to the publication or joins the organization through membership fees; publishes the work of anyone who buys an advertisement in the publication; publishes work without competitive selection; or publishes work without professional editing

Please remember to submit your application no later than 10 days prior to the deadline to give yourself ample time to resolve any problems that you might encounter. You take a significant risk by waiting until the day of the deadline to submit.

Waiver Request

If you are unable to submit your application electronically, you may request a waiver. A waiver will be granted for the following reasons only:

Internet access is not available within a 30-mile radius of your address
Disability prevents you from submitting your application electronically

Your waiver request must be in writing and must be received (not postmarked) at least three weeks before the application deadline. You can click here for more information on waivers.

You do not need to complete the registration process to download the application package and begin to prepare your material (see below). However, you will need your Username and Password that you obtain in the final step of the registration process to submit your application.

If you want a hard copy of your completed application for your files, clicking the Print button will print out the two forms in the Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission box. For a hard copy of the items that you are attaching to the Attachments Form, you will have to print each of these out separately from your computer.

For Poetry:

10 typescript, single-column pages of:

Poetry, with no more than one poem per page, or
One long poem (or section of a long poem)
Your manuscript sample must be:
- In the literary form in which you establish your eligibility (e.g., poetry). Please indicate the literary form at the top of the first page of your manuscript
- In typescript and clearly readable. Use a 12 point or larger font. Include the page number in the upper right corner of each page. Do not crowd pages. Do not submit more than the maximum number of pages that are allowed; excess pages will be removed

List the specific published works that establish your eligibility (see Eligibility for details). Use the bullets below as column headings for your list. For each publication note:

Title
Publisher (including name of magazine or press with address and phone number)
Publication date (month and year)
ISBN number, if available
Number of pages of your material

grants for individuals

grants for personal use

personal grant money

free grant money

Free Money!

Do you know that I actually found a website that is giving away free money! (Isn't it just amazing at what you can find on the internet these days!)

Here is how it works. Someone put up a website where you can make a request for money! You send them an email saying how much you would like to have and what you need the money for.

Some requests for money are answered and some aren't. It's quite obvious that even Bill Gates couldn't even honor all the requests for money that this site has been receiving.

Requests can be made for up to $500 or more if you have a compelling reason as to why you need the money.

Some of the people that this site has said received money received the money for help with paying bills, financial assistance with paying a mortgage payment or a rent payment, money for college books, and some have received money just to be able to buy gifts for their children.

Another Grants Program

For Artists Announced!

This state program awards grants of up to $25,000 for the production of film, video, media or new technology project. This funding program for individual artists offers support for the creation of new work by artists who reside in the state through artist-initiated projects in electronic media (video, sound art, installations, and new technologies) and film production, and the commissioning of new work by composers and theater artists.

Artists at various career stages are welcome to apply to this program.

Grant Program For Women In Business!

2010-01-12T09:20:00.001-05:00

There is a grant program for women in business founded by an organization!

This grant funding program was designed to help give women in business the financial assistance that they need. This program will also provide the business with publicity and an opportunity for review and recommendations from an experienced panel of judges from area businesses, financial institutions, organizations, government agencies and colleges.

You can find out more about this grant program by visiting the organization's website. Address and phone number are also provided!

A $10,000 Prize For Writers!

2010-01-04T14:02:00.002-05:00

There is a foundation that has an annual award that honors books which contribute to the understanding of racism or the appreciation of the diversity of human culture. Any work addressing issues of racial bias or human diversity may qualify.

The amount of the award is $10,000!

The deadline to apply is January 31st!

The foundation has a website where you can find out more information about this program that helps provide funding for writers.

Government grants for schools

Grants for schools

Grants for teachers

Free school grants

Free government money

Schools Receive Grant Money!

Government grant stimulus money is being used for schools!

Thanks to the federal stimulus program some individual schools are getting grants of up to $10,000 each for items on their “wish list” to help boost programs for special education students! The money is part of the roughly $16 million the school system is getting under the federal government’s economic stimulus program!

One of the grant programs serves economically disadvantaged children and the other grant program is aimed at students with disabilities.

Statewide, schools are getting more than $320 million in stimulus money through the two programs. To get the grant, each school must submit a proposal to help special education students excel. A school can get up to $10,000!

For example, one school is getting $10,000 worth of laptop computers. Another school wants a $9,900 mobile computer lab, and yet another school is getting $10,000 worth of educational software. In addition to grants to schools about $1.2 million in stimulus money is going for the purchase of books, training and educational software to help special education students improve their reading and math and become more physically active. Also special education teachers, speech therapists and others involved with special education are getting $500 in stimulus money each to buy instruction materials and supplies for their classrooms.

Do You Have An Emergency Financial Need?

2009-12-29T10:09:00.006-05:00

Are you facing a financial emergency?

There is one organization that has helped more than 80 individuals/families in need of financial assistance. In 2009 one of the organization's funding programs - which provide emergency funding assistance has given out nearly 300 percent more in assistance than it did in all of 2008.

The purpose of this grant program is to help individuals and families who have chronic financial challenges.

People who qualify for assistance from this fund include those who have lost their jobs, have been out of work for months and months and have exhausted all their savings and resources. According to a spokesperson, "If they fit the criteria, they are able to access this fund for months at a time.”

This grant program was created as a way to help people who don’t qualify for one of the organization's other grant programs.

This funding program has been around for the last 20 years!

The grant program only makes one-time, emergency disbursements. Last year, 32 individuals or families received financial assistance through this funding program. So far over 75 individuals and/or families have received $75,000 in 2009!

This funding program is good for people who tend to struggle with something every year.

Since some of these funding programs are both relatively new, not many people know about them!

What's more the organization itself receives grant money itself to help fund their own grant programs!

One of the organizations funding programs is intended to help with large, one-time emergencies. It was established in a few years ago through the generosity of an anonymous donor. Grants have helped a couple with funeral expenses. Another time it helped a man repair his home after a fire. He had let his home owner’s insurance lapse.

The first step in obtaining assistance is leaving a message on the organization's helpline. The message will usually be returned by a caseworker within 24 hours. A spokesperson for the funding program said the initial phone call between the organization and the applicant takes between five and 10 minutes. Once the exact problem has been determined, the applicant is matched with a social worker, who meets with the client to make a fuller assessment of the situation. Thereafter, the social worker presents the case to the case-management team to decide whether the applicant qualifies for funds. Each application is evaluated on an individual basis. There are clear guidelines, but no set formula to receive assistance.

“If somebody needs financial assistance then we make sure they are taking advantage of other government programs. We have a whole checklist of programs to make sure that they are taking advantage of all the things they can” says the program's spokesperson. Applicants who need emergency funds may also qualify for other programs that the organization has to offer.

It is recommended that applicants apply as early as possible because the number of people seeking assistance has increased so much over the past year and because of that it can now take several weeks to actually receive assistance.

In 2008, 40 people, on average, called the organization for assistance each month. Last year more than 200 people called for help. While not all of these phone calls are for emergency needs, this shows that there has been a marked increase in the need for all of our services, including emergency financial assistanceemergency assistance.

According to the program's spokesperson, “If somebody comes to us and says ‘I’m being evicted tomorrow it’s very hard to help. If someone comes in and says ‘I’m being evicted in three weeks,’ we can help”.

A Children's Foundation is accepting grant applications for families who have children with critical health care treatment, services, or equipment not covered or not fully covered by their parents' health benefit plans.

There is NO deadline date to apply for this program.

To get an application for this program, just click here.

This same organization is also accepting grant applications for families who need help paying for their child’s health care services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy sessions, prescriptions, and medical equipment such as wheel chairs, orthotics, and eyeglasses.

Here is a reply to a post from someone who was asking about grant programs to help start a business.

As a person that does grant research for a living I can tell you that the sites that you are talking about are "third-party" sites where you are paying them for the work that they did to find the information. There is nothing wrong with that BUT if you have your doubts about them then just do a check of them and their business - especially with the BBB to see if there are any complaints about them.

If you are a minority then there are grant programs that are available to help you start a business of your own. One grant program in particular offers a $20,000 grant award to successful applicants who want to start a business of their own. In order to apply you are going to have to submit a business plan to show that you are serious about what it is that you want to do.

Also I have seen grant programs that quite are amazing! One rich individual is offering to fund a person who wants to start a business of their own but their business idea must be viable!

I should also tell you that 90% of the information that I have found about grant programs has been online which means that a lot of these programs have websites. If you go directly to the grant program's website then you don't have to pay a thing because you have found the information yourself and didn't have to hire a grant writer to find the information for you.

Artists Are Using Their Grant Money To Pay For Various Things!

I mentioned before about the interest in finding grant programs to help pay off credit card bills and I have mentioned that while I haven't specifically found any grant programs that help pay credit card debt, I have found grant programs where you can use the grant money to pay for whatever you want and here is such an example of that kind of grant program:

Recipients of one particular artists grants have gotten creative with how they are spending their grant money!

The nonprofit organization will be giving its annual unrestrictive grants to artists in many different disciplines.

Usually the winners of these artist grants use their grant money for their work. But since there are no strings are attached to these $50,000 grant awards some artists use part of their newfound wealth to travel, pay off their mortgage, buy life insurance, get new glasses or have their teeth fixed. Others become philanthropists, pitching in on colleagues' projects.

Here is what one past grant recipient has said regarding this grant program for artists. "That's the beauty of the grants", says the artist, a maker of massive, abstract collages who was tapped in the first round, in 2006, and has become actively engaged as a board member. "When you get the call, you think, 'Wow, somebody is going to give me money to continue to do what I do. They are not going to ask me to do anything. They are just going to invest in it.' That level of trust, he says, is a validation of past accomplishments and a vote of confidence in the artist's future."

The nonprofit organization chooses over 25 annually from the fields of architecture and design, crafts and traditional arts, dance, literature, media, music, theater and visual arts. Grant awards presented this year will total $10 million and will have been given to 213 individuals, partnerships and collectives who live and work all across the country!

Applicants must be at least 21 years old and citizens or legal residents of the U.S.

About 400 nominees are invited to apply for the grants.

Past grant recipients include:

architect
novelist
singer/songwriter
filmmaker
ceramist
dancer
puppeteer
photographer

However this grant program for artists is far from the only organization to put large amounts of money in artists' hands! There is a museum that has its own $50,000 program and a foundation just announced its $100,000 grant program for artists! But many programs offering large cash awards fund specific projects or honor one artist every year or two. With a mission of "supporting America's finest artists working across diverse disciplines" and a practice of doling out 50 unrestricted grants annually, this grant program has created an unusually broad niche for itself.

This grant program was started as a response to the demise of a nationally known grant program for artists. Concerned that artists would be forced to leave the field, leaders of several institutions approached large foundations with a message about the need to help artists.

Despite the commercial success of many artists a study determined that significant numbers of their peers needed employment, health insurance, places to live and work, materials and equipment and access to professional development and support systems.

For more information about this grant program, just click here.

Do You Need Help To Provide Christmas Presents For Your Children?

2009-12-23T10:54:00.001-05:00

Did you know that there is an organization that helps to provide Christmas presents for children?

Every December volunteers look through Christmas letters from children and send them one or more gifts so that they will be able to enjoy their Christmas a little bit more.

For instance one volunteer took home thirty letters and spent a little over $30 on presents for each child -- about $1,000. The volunteer has said that she wished that she could have chosen more. “I feel so terrible,” she said. “All these kids who aren’t going to get anything for Christmas. It’s so tragic.” One child simply asked for one Christmas present that he could share with his brothers and sisters.

According to records this organization was started over 50 years ago. As the number of letters grew, the public was asked to help. This year the total number of letters will almost certainly be more than 150,000, and could approach 200,000.

Most of the letters have been from the United States but many come from other parts of the country and from other nations. Some teachers have even started class projects in the hopes that a few of their students will get gifts they would not otherwise receive.

It doesn’t matter where the letters come from, or why. Workers volunteering before or after their own shifts put out the letters, and keep track of which children will be getting gifts so that there are no repeats. The volunteers also take the time to send letters to people in other parts of the country, from Florida to California who want to participate but can’t get in to choose the letters.

“Most of the letters are from very needy children,” said one spokesperson. But not all. I found several from wealthy suburbs, including one that was typed and printed on what appeared to be a better computer system than the one I used. This kid had a list of 28 gifts, including all sorts of electronic games, that I guessed would add up to more than $4,000. “See you in the mall!” his letter concluded.

A spokesperson cautioned against assuming that a child wasn’t deserving just because he or she asked for something beyond the bare necessities. “Even if a girl wants a Barbie doll and a boy wants a computer game, they may still need a coat and shoes,” he said. “These are kids, and even poor kids want stuff like that.” Many of the letters are cute. Many are heartbreaking. “There was one a couple of years ago,” the spokesperson. “It was from a seven-year-old boy. He and his infant sister and his mom were homeless. But he said he didn’t need anything, he could take care of himself. He just wondered if Santa could send some Pampers and maybe a blanket for his baby sister.” One kid included a picture of a Rolex watch he had cut out of a magazine advertisement. Another asked for a computer, and helpfully provided the brand name and specifications for speed, memory, etc. Another asked for a Boston Whaler fishing boat, and said he was writing early so that Santa could stock up on fiberglass in his workshop. Many kids included suggested retail prices. Some gave tips on where their gifts could be purchased on sale. One boy wrote a mini-biography, and then, “I’d like something for Christmas.” Anything was fine, he said, because he “didn’t get nothing” last year. One girl asked for “pencils for school,” and said it was important because she wanted to be a secretary when she grows up. One child asked for a new bed, another for snow boots. Many children requested gifts for their brothers and sisters. One girl wanted something for an aunt whose house had burned down. Another boy asked for something for his two-year-old sister. One girl said her mom couldn't pay the electric bill and asked for winter clothes.

Some of the letters were from parents who know about the organization and hoped that someone will pluck out their letters. One mother wrote that she was “blessed” to have her son, but could not afford to buy him anything this year. Another woman who lost her job because she couldn’t find anyone to babysit, asked for clothing, “even used” clothing, for her three daughters “so the other kids could stop making fun of the way they dress.”

One volunteer had gathered a stack of the letters because he was going to send gifts to some of the kids himself. Some letters he would fax to his mother and sisters, and they could send gifts to those kids. One woman found a letter from a teacher who had a special-education class of 24 kids in one of the poorest sections of a city. Another volunteer ended up taking home four letters -- two written by mothers, and two written by kids. All four of them asked for winter clothing or something for their brothers and sisters.

For more information about this organization and it's program, you can visit their website by clicking here

State Grant Program For For-Profit Businesses

2009-12-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

Just to dispel those rumors that there are no grant programs for for-profit businesses.....

State grant funds are available to help manufacturers improve performance, stimulate growth and respond to new challenges as the economy recovers from the recession.

This grants program is targeted to small and mid-size manufacturers with less than 500 employees. Grants of $5,000 to $6,500 pay up to 50 percent of project costs. The remaining project costs are paid by the company.

Eligible projects are:

Lean transformation: Up to $5,000 per company is available for projects which include a comprehensive assessment of a company’s operations, identification of key competitive priorities and an action plan to achieve them. This approach hopes to improve performance across all facets of the business enterprise and generates significant financial results.
Grants up to $6,500 per company are available for small to mid-sized manufacturers to implement Eureka! Winning Ways, a nationally recognized and proven system that accelerates growth and generates ideas for new products and services.

A significant share of the funding already has been pledged for projects. Grantsare offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Project completion deadline is

Dec. 31, 2010.

Interested manufacturers can call using either the toll-free phone number or the local phone number.

Teachers Using

Grant Money

To Help Pay

For School Projects

More and more teachers are seeking grants from the educational foundations. For instance in one area the number of teachers who applied for a $1,200 grant is up about 30 percent, from 140 to 180.

Teachers want the money to buy books, microscopes, education software, iPods and other classroom teaching aids that just can not be covered in the regular budget.

One teacher spent about 60 hours last summer writing three grant proposals to start a fish farm and hydroponics garden in her classroom and learned how tough it is to get grants. She got two out of three grants that she applied for. One of the grant awards that she got was for $4,500 which allowed her to bring her classroom lessons to life for her students.

Grant Money Available

For Hurricane Katrina

HomeOwners!

There is still grant money available for homeowners.

State Offers Hundreds of Millions to Further Strengthen Homes Against Future Storm Damage!

Grant program offering up to $7,500 for Homeowner Applicants to Install Additional Safety Measures!

Thousands of Louisiana homeowners affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita can now apply for grant funds of up to $7,500 to take small-scale measures to protect their homes from loss in future storms, including installing roof-tie downs and storm shutters.

In the aftermath of the great damage caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, preventing future home damage and loss is one of Louisiana's top priorities, which is why grants are being offered to homeowner to help them to pay to install common sense protection like storm shutters.

According to one spokesperson there is already more than $800 Million Dollars available to help residents with their homes. The individual grants of up to $7,500 will help make homes even safer and stronger than they are now.

This grant program is being provided by FEMA. Beginning last month the state mailed forms to more than 100,000 applicants who selected to rebuild or repair their homes, requesting that they opt-in to program by March 10, 2010. Homeowners can also use this form to choose to participate in a program that offers eligible homeowners up to $100,000 to elevate their homes.
Homeowners will work with the program in order to receive funding.

Homeowners who need more information about this program should call this toll free number.

Because of FEMA regulations surrounding how these funds can be used and because these funds are offered as a reimbursement, homeowners should not install or start work on their homes until speaking with a representative from the program and to make sure that their home has been cleared by the program.

Homeowners who already completed repairs that they think are eligible for reimbursement should collect copies of receipts and invoices for the work, which will be necessary to move forward with the program.

The state will base individual grant awards on the type measure a homeowner takes. Because of federal law, the state also must ensure that it is paying homeowners for actual unmet needs and not duplicating a benefit already provided for the same purpose.

What qualifies as an acceptable measure?

Acceptable measures are small scale improvements homeowners can make to their properties to protect their investments in the event of future storms. Some examples of eligible work include:

Strengthening doors
Protecting windows, including by installing storm shutters
Bolting roofs to walls and walls to foundations
Elevating electrical panels or air conditioning units
Raising washers, dryers, hot water heaters or furnaces
Anchoring propane tanks or heating fuel tanks

Official representatives of the grant program can provide homeowners with more detailed information about eligible activities.

DEADLINES - Homeowners must notify the state of their interest in the program by March 10, 2010. To show interest, homeowners must return their forms to the state postmarked by March 10, 2010.

Homeowners who need information can call the program's hotline or contact the program by e-mail. Information is also available online at their website.

Are There Any Government Grant Programs To Help Pay Off Debt?

2009-12-17T09:57:00.002-05:00

Government Grant Programs To Help Pay Off Your Debt

Grant Programs To Help Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

Are there any government grant programs to help pay off a person's debt? Well I saw an online article that said that there were indeed government grant programs out there to help pay off a person's debt - including help to pay off one's credit card debt.

The article went on to say that all you had to do to find these government grant programs was to go to our government's official website where you could go through the list of the currently available government grant programs to find the current government grant programs that will help you pay off your credit card (and other) debt.

I have been to the official government grant website
many, many times and I have still not yet found such a government grant program specifically for those that want to pay off their credit card debt.

So, Are there any government grant programs to help pay off credit card (and other) debts? The answer is MAYBE!

While I have not found any government grant programs (yet) to help one pay off their credit card debt, I HAVE found grant programs where you can use the grant money to help pay your bills! For instance:

there is a grant program to help one start their own business. One of the requirements is that you have to be a minority and you also have to submit a business plan in order to be eligible to apply. What is the grant award for this grant program? $20,000! And since this grant is for you to help start your own business some of this grant money can be used to help pay some of your bills.
Did you know that there is a grant program that awards over $250,000 in grant money and you can use that grant money for anything you want! and that includes paying your bills, buying a car, etc. All you have to do is to be eligible to apply for this grant and meet their eligibility requirements. However please bear in mind that this is NOT a government grant program. This is a grant program that is being provided by a foundation that is in the United States but is not part of the government. You can find out more information about this particular grant program by clicking here.

So, are there are government grant programs to help pay off credit card debt? I haven't found any government grant programs (yet) that do this but I have found other grant programs where you can use your grant money to pay off your bills. These are not government grant programs but they are grant programs that are being offered by other organizations outside of the government grant programs.

Grant Program For

Art Students

Artists' Grants program announced!

Next year this grant program expects to award more than $65,000 in individual artist grants next year, with the maximum award of $2,000.

The upcoming grant round will focus on 2-D and 3-D art in all media, crafts, folk arts, photography and artists with disabilities.

The grants are designed to help artists advance their careers through the purchase of special equipment or materials, for career development efforts, such as marketing or classes, or to support special projects.

All grant-related activities need to correspond to the grant period dates of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.

The application deadline for Individual Artist Grants is

February 1 2010

and grant forms are available on the commission's website.

For more information, you can contact them by e-mail, or you can contact them by phone. (Please be advised that this is not a toll-free number and long distance charges may apply!).

$25,000 Creative Writing Grant!

The deadline to apply for this grant program for writers is early March 2010!

This grant program provides fellowships in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) or poetry writing and is available to published creative writers. These kinds of programs enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement.

You can find out more about this program by going to their website.

A $2 Million Dollar Grant Competition For Inventions!

2009-12-16T13:51:00.002-05:00

The first prize in this science competition is $2 Million Dollars!

2nd place prize is $900,000!

This science fiction competion is being sponsored by a foundation and is not a government grant program for free money.

Funded by a NASA program to explore bold technology, the contest is intended to encourage development of a theory that originated in the 1960s and was popularized by Arthur C. Clarke's 1979 novel "The Fountains of Paradise." Although this competition has not produced a winner in its previous years it has encouraged a lot of inventors to enter their inventions in this kind of competition!

The rules allow one team to collect all $2 million or for sums to be shared among three teams depending on their achievements.

Grants For Non Profit

Grant program for fire companies

Eligible program activities include

Hiring of Firefighters
Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters

Since this particular grant program has become more and more popular with more fire departments all those who wish to submit their grant application should submit their grant application filled out completely and make your grant proposal as brief and "to the point" as possible!

This grant program is open only to volunteer and combination departments. Career departments are not eligible under this specific category. Combination and volunteer departments may also submit an application under a specific title which will require that they submit a separate application for this. In addition, statewide or local organizations representing the interests of several volunteer and/or combination departments may request funding for this grant program as well. Under this category, fire departments may provide incentives to their members to reward their continued commitment to the fire service, as well as pay for recruiting resources to entice new members. Some possible initiatives under this activity include:

Insurance packages such as accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), disability, health, dental, and life.
Reimbursement to the new member for attending required basic training. This can include compensation for lost wages, mileage, lodging, daycare and per diem expenses.
Marketing costs to recruit new volunteer members.
Salary and benefits for a recruitment and retention coordinator.
Development and initiation of an explorer, cadet, and/or mentoring program.
The cost of a department staffing needs assessment
Tuition - Tuition assistance for higher education (including college tuition) and professional certifications (coursework or certifications in this category should be above and beyond what the department typically funds for required minimum-staffing firefighter certification. Books and lab fees are eligible, but computers are not.)
Length of service awards and other retirement benefits
Costs associated with team building activities and motivational speakers.

This is just a short list of potential activities that are eligible under this grant program. The important objective for your department is to analyze why current members are not staying active and/or why new members are not joining. This barrier or barriers to recruiting or retaining members should become the focus of your application.

The key to getting your request funded is to develop a clear and defined program to address this need. Then, justify how the financial assistance you are requesting will be used to overcome your identified recruiting and/or retention issue. Your application should address these items in a complete but concise manner.

All applications will be reviewed by both an automated evaluation and a peer review panel. Scores will be based on how well the applicant addresses the established program priorities and how well the applicant is able to establish a correlation between their request and their identified needs.

Program priorities for this application period are:

Meeting Staffing Standards - The highest priority will be given to departments that have experienced a high level of turnover and whose staffing levels do not meet NFPA 1710 or 1720. If you are not familiar with this requirement, you can get more information at this website.
Meeting OSHA Respiratory Protection Standards - To receive the highest consideration, your application must adequately address the OSHA 1910.134(g) standards that deal with procedures for interior firefighting, most notably the two in, two out rule.
Volunteer Membership - Priority will be given to applicants whose membership contains mostly volunteer members or departments that have a significant number of volunteer members.
Recruitment/Retention Plan - A higher score will be achieved by applicants who have a formal recruitment and retention plan that includes a project coordinator and marketing program. In addition, programs that include accident and/or injury insurance and lost wages for its firefighters will also receive a higher score.
Continuity - Applicants will receive a higher score if their recruitment and retention program is designed to continue after the period of performance without federal assistance.
Call Volume and Population Served - Departments that respond to a higher number of calls and protect a larger population will receive a higher consideration.
Firefighter Health Measures - Applicants whose program includes an entry level physical exam that meets NFPA 1582 and show a commitment to have their firefighters receive immunizations will receive a higher score.
Training - Applicants whose program will ensure that new recruited firefighters meet the minimum fire and EMS certification requirements of the state or locality within 24 months of joining will receive a higher consideration.
Regional Requests - Applications that have a regional impact will receive a higher score than applications that benefit only one department.

In the past some volunteer departments have stayed away from this grant program and its application process because they didn't understand this particular grant program, its priorities and the possible benefits that could be derived by their department and its members. It is hoped that providing more information about this particular grant program will encourage even more applicants to apply for this grant program.

For an application form just clck here

and to find out more about this grant program just clck here.

Foundation Donates More

Than $400,000 Dollars To

Nonprofits that Provide Basic-need Services!

So far this year this same foundation has distributed more than $2 million dollars in grant funding to non-profit organizations. The grants went to organizations that focus on providing services in the areas of hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, health care, and education to children and families in need. According to a spokesperson, the organization "is proud to continue supporting some of the best organizations in our communities who focus on social services. We are especially happy to give back during the holiday season to assist the nonprofits with their increased demand for donations."

Here is a partial list of non profit organizations that have received grant funding from this foundation:

a community soup kitchen received $5,000 to support a portion of the general operating costs of the soup kitchen, which is expected to serve more than 70,000 meals in 2009.
a shelter received $10,000 to stock their chest freezers and storage pantry with non-perishables and frozen meats. During 2008, they served 191,594 soup kitchen meals and 179,493 food pantry meals to “homeless and working poor men, women and families throughout the state.
a food bank received $15,000 to leverage their bulk buying power to purchase nutritious food such as rice, beans, peanut butter, tuna and beef stew. This food bank food bank distributes food to 800 member agencies serving approximately 146,653 individuals per year.
a local battered women's organization received $10,000 for food and household items as well as apartment refurbishment upon a client’s departure from the shelter which is the organization’s transitional living program for abused women.
a children's foundation received $20,000 to fund medical supplies for their homeless program which provides medical care to homeless children.

Grant Program For Community Art Organizations

2009-12-14T16:57:00.001-05:00

Applications are being acepted for local community art programs.

Applications are now being accepted for organizations wishing to apply!

The deadline for receipt of the applications is Monday, December 21, 2009!

The funds allocated in the grant are intended to encourage arts participation across the local area. Supported arts disciplines include

dance
theater
visual arts
music
film/media arts
literary arts
folk/heritage/traditional
multi-disciplinary arts programming

Individual grants average $100-$900.

Programs must take place between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010.

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria: artistic merit, organizational effectiveness, and service to the community. Organizations receiving funds must be located or producing programs within the local specified area and be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization or be in the process of obtaining 501(c) (3) certification.

To obtain an application you can visit the office's location during normal business hours. For more information you can also contact them by phone.

Please be advised that this is a direct phone number and not a toll-free phone number.

Grants For Small Businesses

Announced!

It was announced last month that a new grant program for small businesses would spend $500 million dollars to help small businesses as part of a program offering education, mentoring and access to capital to over 5,000 small businesses! The effort also involves billionaire investor Warren Buffet, community colleges and other organizations.

Although this is not a free government grant program, it is a grant program for small businesses that is being offered by an organization outside of the government.

The purpose of the grant program for small businesses is to invest $50 million for grants and $250 million in loan programs for small business. This same grant program for small businesses will also provide $200 million in grants to community colleges and universities, which will use the funds for scholarships to small-business owners.

Grants For School Athletes?

2009-12-10T14:29:00.003-05:00

Grants? Are there any for college students?

Of course the answer is yes!

A lot of students are looking for ways to make money in order to pay their way through school. They see a lot of ads for "how to make free money but they should know that there are legitimate ways to be able to pay for their college expenses.

It is possible that a student-athlete may be eligible to receive grant funding in order to pay his way through school. This grant funding can include ALL or part of the educational expenses associated with tuition, fees, room, board, and required course-related books.

These kinds of grants awarded for one year or less and may not be canceled during the award period unless one of the exceptions applies.

For example there is one state university that offers athletic scholarships in 26 sports for students that qualify.

The head coach of each sport may request a full scholarship that covers tuition and fees, room and board, and books. Partial scholarships cover a portion of one or more of these expenses. All scholarships are awarded for a period of one year. The school may choose to award an athletic student a scholarship for summer school, but the school is not obligated to do so. The policies and procedures about this kind of funding can be found by clicking here. Students who are seeking grants and scholarships for college are encouraged to contact the financial aid office of their school when they are looking for grants for college.

Did you know that some college scholarship can be renewed? Notification of renewals can be sent to scholarship recipients themselves prior to the academic year in which it is to be effective. Information concerning the signing of renewal scholarships can be provided by the school at certain events.

Your school's financial aid office may offer a variety of grant, work, and loan programs to give financial options to all families, no matter what their need or resources. Students should file for a free application for student aid. This FREE application is used nationwide to determine aid eligibility by collecting income, asset, and demographic data about the student and family. To find out more about the types of financial aid available visit the financial aid office's website. If you are unable to file the online student aid application then you may obtain a paper application from your high school or college, and mail it to the federal government’s web site. However filing your student aid application online is faster and more accurate!

Four to six weeks after you submit your student aid application, you should receive a report. This report will list all the information you reported on your student aid application. Possible errors will be bold in print. Students should review their entire student aid application carefully to make sure that all information that they have provided is accurate! If corrections are needed then you should follow the instructions on the student aid application form.

At the time that you get your student aid report the same information will be released electronically. This information is used to determine your eligibility for a variety of financial aid programs.

Additional college scholarships can be found by using a free search service that is provided online for FREE! Two scholarship searches that are recommended can be found by clicking here. After entering information about your background, educational goals, and interests, you will be given a list of organizations that offer scholarships for which you may be eligible. Remember that search services provide only a preliminary match. You must complete any applications and other requirements, and meet specific deadlines in order to be considered.

The Announcement of a fund for special assistance!

A special fund has been established for student-athletes who may need financial assistance where there are needs of an emergency of an essential nature for which financial assistance is not already yet available. Eligible athletic students (except non-qualifiers in their initial year of residence), athletic students who have demonstrated financial need or a foreign athletic student who has been certified and has demonstrated as having financial need are eligible to apply for these funds. These funds can be used for:

Cost of clothing and other essential expenses up to $500 per year
Cost of expendable academic course supplies (e.g. notebooks and pens)
Medical and dental costs not covered by another insurance program
Costs associated with the athletic student or an athletic student's family emergencies

To apply for this special assistance funding program or for additional information you can contact your school's financial aid office.

Are There REALLY

Grant Programs

That Help To

Pay Off Debts?

According to an online website it seems that our government has put in place billions of dollars in government grants to help people. The goal of these grant programs is to help pay for those who have a lot of debt. These grant programs are open to ANY American citizen from 18 years old and above who is in serious financial need!

It has been reported that the President and Congress has already authorized the federal and state governments to channel billions of dollars to these grants at the soonest possible time! There are numerous kinds of grants and with careful research and documentation you will be able to find one that suits your individual needs and situation. Applying for grants is not the easiest thing but the requirements and documents needed are necessary for fair chances to all as well as to better assess your needs.

These kinds of grant programs are given by both the federal and state levels of our government to help people who are having trouble paying back their debt. These kinds of grant programs are not used often because many people are not aware that they exist and think they are not eligible for them.

There are also specific government debt relief grants where the money can be used to take care of debt for specific situations, such as student loans, business debt, and medical bills. For example, many small business owners accumulate debt when they start up a business and have trouble paying that debt off.

Now you would probably ask why such a grant program would exist.

When people are having trouble paying off their debt it creates a situation of decreasing expenditures for the individual. This will, in turn, lessen the demand for other goods and services that can be purchased because people do not have the extra money to buy these things. By not spending money it affects the economy in the country or state, which will then suffer because money is not being pumped into the economy. Because of this it is important that people have enough money to spend so that the economy can do well. These government grant programs were created to ensure that the economy does not suffer by giving money to people to pay off their debt so they can spend money on other goods and services.

These government grant programs are available for people that are able to prove that they cannot pay their debt off. If you are applying for for one of these government grant programs then you must be able to prove this fact. The social service of the government will look over your application as well as your financial standing, the amount of debts you have incurred, and what position you are in to pay back the debt. All of these aspects are taken into consideration before you will be given a grant.

Interesting fact! - It seems that one of them main reasons why our government has this kind of government grant program is to keep people from filing for bankruptcy.

But how does one get these types of government grants?????

You can search for these types of government grant programs by going to the governments official website. You can also look for these kinds of grant programs by going to your own state's website as well.

You also have to be very careful to take advantage of the government grant programs where you do not have to pay the money back!

People are frequently surprised when they discover that there are government grant programs that exist that can be used for paying off a variety of debts. There are grant programs that exist that can be used for:

paying off one’s mortgage
utility bills
tuition fees
medical bills
legal fees
car loans
home improvements

What about credit card debt?

According to an online website people can apply for government grant programs to pay off their credit card debt. This type of government grant program can help to pay off a person's credit card debt by helping to minimize the accruing interest and fees of the credit card debt and help repair the damaged credit of a person over time.

Grants For Women - Are There Any?

2009-11-25T10:48:00.004-05:00

Are There Grants

For Women?

Are there grants for women ? Are there free grants for women?

Basically the answer is yes but there is a big BUT here! Of course there are grants for women out there and since the definition of a free grant means that you don't have to pay it back then - yes - there are free grants for women that are out there!

However it is going to depend on WHAT you want the grant for! There is no one "free grant program
" for women because it will depend on what you want the grant for.

There are a number of business grants for women
that are out there. For instance there is a "free" grant program for minority women who want to start their own business. This is not a free government grant program but a business grant program that is being provided by an organization. It is a free grant program in that you pay nothing to apply for it and if you win the grant you could receive as much as $20,000 to start your own business. Of course this particular grant program is not just for minority women, it is a grant program for minority people.

There is an investor who is offering a lot of money to those who can come up with a viable business plan. If this investor likes your business plan then he will fund it!

What other kind of grants for women are out there? Many! There are numerous grant and scholarship programs for women who want to return to school. There are even some grant programs that will help pay for daycare for single mothers. There are free grant programs for women writers and artists as well!

If you go to the government's official website you will see that they have grant programs for ALL to apply and of course that includes women as well as individuals and small businesses that are for-profit.

I never quite understood how people could say that the government doesn't have grant programs for for-profit businesses when it says so right on the government website!

Of course the problem seems to be that grant programs for women are hard to find (at least that is what I am hearing) and like I noted above not all grant programs are being offered by the government. There are a number of organizations that have grant programs for women including business grant programs for women. However since they are not government grant programs that may make them a little bit more harder to find. If it was a government grant program you could simply go to the government's official website and look up their government grant programs to find ones that you are eligible for. However the grant programs for women that are not government grant programs are a little bit more harder to find but the majority of them do have websites. It just takes doing some research in order to find them.

Grant Program For
Struggling Actors

There is an announcement of a new grant program for emerging struggling actors that want to pursue an acting career in the United States.

Under the name of a scholarship program this yearly grant program will award $10,000 to an emerging struggling actor who wants to pursue an acting career in the United States.

This year's grant awarded the $10,000 grant to an actor who also received a free airline ticket to go to America!

Next year's finalists for this scholarship / grant program will be announced in February 2010.

Foundation Provided

Over $100 Million Dollars

In Grant Funding!

The grants were awarded to organizations that serve several categories — elder adults, health and disabilities among them.

One of the non-profit organizations that received a grant actually received 2 grants! One of the grants was for $2 million dollars grant so that they could purchase and renovate two buildings!

The 2nd grant was for just over one million dollars to help the organization preserve its mission of affordable housing for moderate income older adults.

Grant Program For Teachers

2009-11-19T14:43:00.004-05:00

This is a local grant program for teachers who want funding to be able to travel to other areas within the United States in order to study and bring back new techniques to help them improve their own classroom studies.

For the 2008 - 2009 season 15 of these grants were awarded to area teachers.

This particular grant program provides grant funding for teachers and administrators, allowing them to explore new ideas that they may not otherwise have had an opportunity to pursue. Last year, grant recipients participated in projects nationwide in an effort to bring new and exciting resources back to their local districts.

Applications for 2010 will be distributed this month to principals at all local area public and nonpublic schools. The grant program offers 19 individual grants for educators worth $500 each.

Other grant awards include:

2 $500 administrator grants
Five $750 two-educator grants
Two $1,000 building-wide or multi-educator grants
and one $1,500 district-wide or multi-district grant.

The funding is provided through an endowment and supplemented by the local school districts.

Past grant recipients include:

a local area public school teacher that attended a workshop at a university in another state. The workshop was designed to assist the implementation of bioinformatics across biology curriculum by incorporating bioinformatics into a variety of courses.
a teachers who worked with a local artist to establish curricular offerings appropriate for middle school students. The teacher's goal was to extend student activities in this particular art and to integrate 3-D activities that were already included in her school's curriculum.
a school administrator who attended a conference in Utah, where she learned training skills to increase effectiveness when working with school staff to develop appropriate building-based intervention strategies.
a high school teacher who attended a six-day event designed to provide biology teachers with an introduction to a specific program as well as to provide teachers with the basic tools to create a successful laboratory program.
an occupational therapist who attended an advanced training program in Michigan to help with their school's program that helps students with cognitive impairments maximize their independence and life skills.
a kindergarten teacher who traveled to Costa Rica, where she studied the habitat of the rainforest. The teacher will incorporate her experience into her kindergarten curriculum on ecosystems found throughout the world through photos and artifacts from this trip.
another elementary school teacher who used the grant to attend a technology conference to acquire expertise in a microsoft program so that she design a program to help engage her students in the use of technology in the classroom to enhance the development of their literacy skills.
a Catholic school teacher who attended an event in Washington, D.C. to help increase her understanding of plant and animal biodiversity. The teacher interacted with scientists, curators, and museum educators during specially designed visits to museums, laboratories and the National Zoo.

The Department of Energy is offering a prize to the inventor of an energy-efficient alternative to the 60-watt light bulb!

ANOTHER Local

Grant Program

For Teachers!

Eleven local area teachers were recently surprised when a grant program's employees showed up at their schools with as much as $1,000 each in grant money! The money came from a cooperative grant program which allows teachers to compete for funding outside of their school district's resources.

All classroom educators are eligible to apply if they teach kindergarten through 12th grade in the cooperative’s four-county service area. Teachers were awarded grant money if they could demonstrate in an application that they had an innovative idea for a classroom project.

Each school was eligible to submit more than one application, but individual teachers are limited to one application per school year.

You can visit the grant program's website for the dates when new applications may be submitted.

Pastor

Receives

A $40,000 Grant!

An associate pastor for adult discipleship and outreach at a Presbyterian Church has received a $42,000 grant from a national endowment program!

This grant money will allow the pastor to pursue local and international mission projects including traveling to South Africa and volunteering with a school that provides shelter and education for orphaned students, many of whom lost their parents to AIDS.

The pastor who openly talks about his own experience living with HIV, applied for the grant with a deep desire to reach out to others in the local and international HIV/AIDS community.

The purpose of this grant program is to "support an extended period of intentional reflection and renewal."

Pastors from 149 churches across the United States earned grant money, the amount depending on their individual proposal needs.

The program rewards select pastors for their hard work, allowing them to travel the world and "see sights they’ve only dreamed about, to learn new languages, take up a new hobby or relearn an old one, and use this time to reengage themselves in their calling."

Although he does not yet have a definitive timeline for when he will spend his grant money, the pastor hopes to visit South Africa in the fall of 2011. He will use some of the grant money to thank the friends and family who have supported him through his life. While in South Africa, he hopes not only to learn about the correlation between racism, poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but to share the exotic beauty of the country with those closest to him.

A Grant Program To Study Farming!

2009-11-16T10:02:00.002-05:00

There is one state that is offering tuition assistance to young farmers who enroll in a farm business management program in that state.

Four grants of $500 per year are available.

Applications are due:

December 1, 2009

You can visit their website for an application or you can contact their office by phone.

Casting Call For Babies!

You can give your baby a chance at a professional photo shoot and a $500 grant for their education!

The winners chosen will get a chance to be a featured face for ad campaigns associated with a program that provides every baby born in 2009 in one particular state with a $500 grant to start college fund. The baby photos will be used by the program and others to spread the word about the grants program.

The program was started in order to fulfill a dream of a well-known philanthropist. It was started as a gift to the state to give every child a $500 start for college. The founder of the program believed the investment in the state's future leaders would go far to improve that state’s economy and that it would cause individual aspirations to flourish.

An event was held a few weeks ago to get the word out about this grant program.

There are no income limits and no additional contributions are needed to receive the grant; however, families are encouraged to add to the college savings. The $500 grant will turn into around $2,000 for college if left entirely alone, however, with a contribution of $50 per month, the account could grow to $25,000 in 18 years, according to the program's data.

Future casting call events for the babies are scheduled for the rest of the year. Parents who want to sign up for the program at the event will need to bring the baby’s Social Security number and will be given a copy of their baby’s portrait. Those who would like more information on this grant can call the program's toll-free number or visit the website for more details.

Grant Money For Student Entrepreneurs!

2009-11-12T10:47:00.005-05:00

One university here in the United States has a grant program for its student entrepreneurs. This is a grant funding program where students apply for money to advance their own business ideas.

So far $50,000 in grant money has been awarded! In addition to the financial awards, grant recipients will receive counsel from leading business experts on business plan development and funding strategies.

According to one spokesperson for the program, "Participating in this competition is a fantastic learning experience for our students. They are forced to evaluate market potential for their ideas, develop a business case and conduct due diligence".

Those who are selected benefit not only from the financing but they also gain access to business experts and venture capital leaders to determine next steps in the development of their business ideas.

So far over 900 students have received these grant money awards for their start-up businesses. Grants are administered at three funding levels:

business design grants at $500
assessment grants at $1,500
up to $10,000 for integration grants

Past grant recipients include:

$5,000 for a designer and manufacturer of light sport aircrafts
$1,500 for an online marketplace for booking charter aircraft
a business that provides web-based software that offers operational support for solar PV contractors
$1,500 for an online business that offers online information and products for urban gardening
$500 to a business that provides a web application that alerts patrons to daily specials from local restaurants
$500 to a business that provides a debit card for international travelers
$500 to a business that offers speed dating through interactive gaming
$500 to an Indian senior-living facility in United States

This program benefits students, as well as the local and university community, by stimulating entrepreneurial efforts and starting new businesses.

For more information about this grant program for students you can visit their website by clicking here.

Government

Job Opening

Not only does our government have grant programs they also have many job openings as well! There is currently a job opening in Alaska for someone to work with dogs. The job includes managing a dog kennel and operating and running a dog sled! According to an online article the salary for this job position can be as much as $66,000!

There is even an interview with the person who formally held this position.

You can read the article by clicking here.

Small Businesses

Receive

Grant Money

For Energy Programs

2 small businesses have received grant money to build solar photovoltaic systems to generate electricity at their respective places of business.

Says one of the grant recipients, "I've been thinking about doing solar for a long time, for years actually. It's just been so expensive. I found out about that grant this summer."

Unfortunately one of the down sides to this grant program is that the application for the grant is 150 pages long! But that didn't stop the two businesses (one of which is a farming business) from applying for the grant money.

According to a spokesperson for the grant program, "These funds are a good example of the Obama administration's commitment to helping rural businesses become more energy efficient. In the long run, the funding that is being obligated is good for both the economy and the environment."

One of the grant recipients will use the grant money to install 13,000-watt systems at his farm and the storage facility. He hopes to have his systems operating by the end of the year.

The other grant recipient, who has a small business running a tavern, will install one five-kilowatt system on the roof of his downtown business and he hopes to have it operating by early next year.

Grant Programs

For

Single Mothers!

Single mothers who are living on a low income can now qualify for a number of grant programs. Recently President Obama has started yet another grant program for single mothers who want to go back to school to continue their education.

As for other kind of grant programs that single mothers can apply for here is a recent excerpt:

There are also lots of others grants out there that mothers who want to go to college can apply for. It would benefit all mothers to apply for as many as they can and not rely on just one. Mothers do not have to repay the grant money because it is a government grant that help mothers with low income to go back to school.

The grant money can be used to help mothers tremendously. The money can be used to pay for college expenses such as books, tuition and even daycare while in college.

Also available to single moms who decided to go back to school is a tax program which allows mothers an opportunity to use their first $4,000 as tax free money.

Mothers can study at their local nearby community college, junior college or even study at home online. Many mothers take this last option of studying at home because it's a lot easier to stay home with the kids and at the same time get their college degree.

President Obama has made every effort to help mothers go back to school and get their degree. There's no reason why any mother out there should not take this wonderful opportunity.

There is now also an online website where you can enter a drawing to win $10,000 towards your education.

Registration is required and the deadline to enter is

December 31, 2009

Did You Know That There Is A Beer Competition?

2009-11-09T10:55:00.004-05:00

Did you know that there is a beer competition that takes place on a regular basis?

This is an international competition for beer lovers and for those that love to create beer!

This competition is held on a regular basis in celebration of the art and science of brewing by recognizing outstanding brewing achievement around the world. The top three winners in the competition's 70 beer-style categories are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals.

This beer competition has been going on for more than 10 years!. The organization that sponsors this competition was founded in 1978, is a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to the promotion of quality beers and brewing throughout the world.

The competition is intended to create greater consumer awareness about different beer styles and flavor profiles while promoting international brewing excellence.

You can visit their website for more information on the competition.

Are You Interested In Getting A FREE Car?

There is a non-profit organization that is giving away free cars!

In order to be eligible you first have to go to the organization's website and fill out their application and create a profile. You then have to get 100 people to vote for you!

Since these cars that are given away for free are donated by the public you have to wait until one of the vehicles becomes available for being donated. However once you complete all the application requirements the applicant qualifies to have their application reviewed. Once a vehicle becomes available in a particular geographic location, the organization begins reviewing the applications with the most votes / highest page rank who live in that general vicinity. Even if your page rank is lower than someone else's, you may receive a vehicle if your story is inspirational enough, but we must strongly emphasize that your application is more likely to be reviewed if you have a high page rank.

Besides providing free cars this charitable organization can also provide financial assistance for tag/title/registration fees, automobile repairs, preventative maintenance items like oil changes, hoses, belts, batteries, brakes, tires, automotive warranty coverage, roadside assistance memberships, and the down-payment for auto insurance or even the down-payment for a new or used vehicle! The organization can assist with just about anything automotive related as long as the applicant has completed the application, qualifies, and has made the effort.

For additional questions you can email them for additional information.

$100,000 Poetry Award!

This poetry award is given annually to honor a book of poetry by a mid-career U.S. poet. The winner will spend one week in residence at a university in the United States.

Poets, publishers, agents, or friends may submit five copies of a book of poetry published.

This award is given annually to honor a book of poetry by "a poet of genuine promise."

Poets may submit five copies of a book of poetry that has been published within a certain time period.

To apply for this poetry award you can send a SASE, call, or visit the web site for an entry form and complete guidelines.

Minority
Business
Competition!

So far a total of $85,000 in grant awards were disbursed to six entrepreneuers in a competition for those who are minorities and want to start their own business. The winners were chosen from 29 finalists, determined in a two-round process. In round one, 160 contestants submitted executive summaries of business plans and in round two, 70 of the finalists were invited to submit full business plans. Contestants in the final round were then required to present their business plans to a panel of business professionals from across the region. The awards are as follows:

$25,000 Growth Innovation Award awarded to a bakery business that is providing a healthy food alternative for baked goods/whole foods/produce.
$25,000 Business Innovation Award - went to a mortgage broker that originates residential and commercial loans.
$10,000 Food Retailer Award - went to a marketer of gourmet food products.
$10,000 Neighborhood Retailer Award went to a jewelery business that specializes in special and customized jewelry.
$10,000 Technology Trailblazer Award went to a company that provides cashless technologies to government agencies and private operators in the transportation market.
$5,000 Emerging Fashion Business Award went to a fashion designer who has an urban clothing line that focuses on positive messages to uplift the African-American community.