Here Is A Grant Program For Your Small Business!

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.

ANOTHER Grant Program For Small Businesses!

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.

Four Business Plans Win Cash In Contest!

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.

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

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!

State Grant Program For For-Profit Businesses

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.

Government Grant Program Deadline Extended!

It’s not for as long a period as entrepreneurs around the country were hoping, but the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill reauthorizing the deadline date of one of their grant programs to October 31, 2009.

This particular grant program (along with their sister program) provides millions of dollars in grants — with awards reaching upwards of $750,000 to individual businesses meeting specific criteria — to technology start-up companies through a variety of federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services and NASA.

Grant Program Available For Nurses Who Want To Teach! Because there is a shortage of nursing teachers, more of them are sorely needed! Despite the economic downturn, record numbers of well qualified potential nursing students continue to be turned away or placed on long waiting lists, (in some cases several years in length), by traditional campus based nursing schools due to severe shortages of nurse educators. As has been reported for many months now, the nationwide deficit of nursing faculty has reached critical proportions as the current faculty workforce rapidly advances toward retirement and the pool of younger replacement faculty decreases. The shortage of nurse educators poses serious threat to national health care. The number of nursing graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees isn’t keeping up with soaring demand. Educators and health planners see the growing demand for nurses not only as a need for additional personnel but also for additional education, with more nurses prepared in baccalaureate programs that emphasize leadership, patient education, case management, and care across a variety of acute care and outpatient settings. For example, at one hospital the shortage of highly qualified nurses who teach is already so bad that it’s had two nurse educator positions open for two years, even at the largest hospital in a state with one of the nation’s worst unemployment rates. According to one spokesperson from the hospital, "It has an impact on care. It really does. It has an impact on how quickly we are able to advance and institute new programs. We absolutely struggle to find nurses with master’s degrees who are educated in teaching.” The looming nursing crisis could mean that the region has thousands fewer nurses than it needs by 2020, according to projections by health officials. Federal estimates have projected the nation will have 29 percent fewer nurses than it needs by 2020. The influx of baby boomers with complex health needs and an aging nursing population are exacerbating the problem. The average age of nurses is 49, while the average age of nursing faculty is 55. In one tri-state area, the more than 60 nursing schools can’t keep up with the demand. So because of this three states are banding together with the help of a $250,000 grant which, joined with grants from others, aims to increase the number of teachers, add training opportunities and provide incentives for nurses to want to pursue advanced degrees. One of the goals of the project is to encourage nurses who are interested in teaching to get their master’s or doctorates with scholarships. The grants can be used for anything related to their education, including child care or transportation, as long as the recipient agrees to a year of teaching for each year of funding. So far over 15 grants of $10,000 each so far have been awarded. If you are considering getting your nursing degree online, online nursing degree programs make it possible for working adults to earn an advanced degree whenever and wherever it`s convenient for them, rather than having to rearrange work and family responsibilities around fixed class schedules. This ability to continue earning while learning through online nursing degree programs is making school accessible to millions of working professionals who would find it impossible to return to school otherwise. With 24/7 access to virtual classrooms, multimedia lessons, and the ability to network with fellow students and professors via message boards, chat rooms, and e-mail, online students enjoy distinct advantages over campus based students! And there are scholarships available for those that want to study and /or earn their degree(s) online.

Grant Program

Available

For Single Dads

As part of our government's new stimulus package there is more opportunities and more funding for education grants. There are several categories of grants available, but a big portion of it is reserved for dads. The newly revised grant system was created in order to cover many of life's expenses and school at the same time so there is less financial burden for these individuals. There are lots of single dads out there who hold down more than one job to try to support their family. This grant will cover some of this, the tuition, the books, amongst other things.

Once you receive this grant, you can receive up to $10,000 a year or $5100 a semester for up to 18 semesters. That will be more than enough to put you through until you graduate. (In the future the government is looking to increase the funds again to cover even more expenses.)

If you want to go to school, but childcare is a problem, then you can find programs online. There are hundreds of degrees that you can complete over the internet. There are so many options for you that there aren't very many reasons not to take the government's stimulas programs up on their offer.

For more information, you can check out the government's website.

There may be government grant money just waiting for you!

Full-Tuition Scholarships Being Offered For Online Courses!

Over $1 Million Dollars

In Scholarships Being Offered

To Earn An Online Degree!

There is a campaign that has been created to help support those who are under-employed and / or under-educated to help provide financial scholarships that will pay the full cost of tuition for those that want to be able to study online and earn their degree.

You can visit their website to find out more about this online scholarship program.

Please be advised that only a limited number of scholarships will be awarded to those that qualify and apply.

State Is Providing Both Grants And Loans To Businesses Both Small And Large! In order to help provide job and strengthen their local economy one state has started a grant (and loan) program for both large and small businesses! Here are some of the grant recipients: one bank received a $900,000 grant! a transportation company got a $90,000 grant a galvanizing business has also won a $100,000 grant! Also the program has also provided loans to: a brewing company received a $500,000 loan a manufacturing company has received a $1.2 Million Loan! a carpet recycling business has received a $600,000 loan as well! The funding of these (and other) businesses in that state symbolizes a core strategy for economic development which is to help small businesses survive a recession that has claimed tens of thousands of jobs in the state. So far one of these funding programs has enrolled 25 small businesses, with the state committing $405,000 of the $5 million originally set aside for the initiative. According to one spokesperson, "participation so far has been disappointing, but he said his office has not promoted the program as well as it could have. He said the funding program is preparing a new campaign to get the word out."

Individual Artists Receive Grant Awards

Grants are being provided to individual artists to help them keep working on their art because culture is vital to a town's civic health - according to a spokesperson of the funding program.

Artists can also apply for program or education grants for ideas that directly benefit the city. The application includes a list of potential collaborators and helpers at local museums, libraries and the like.

In addition to traditional disciplines such as music, dance/theater and literature, the council funds multidisciplinary and cultural heritage projects. Though the dollar amounts are relatively small - $250 to $2,000, with individual artists limited to $1,200 - the council envisions them as a stepping stone for larger awards and outside donations.

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

Free Airline Travel Grant For Businesses!

A major airline will be awarding 100 small-to-medium size U.S. businesses free travel to anywhere in the world where their airline flies plus valuable products and services to help support their businesses and maximize their travel experiences.

This grant program is part of an endeavor that aims to drive forward small and medium sized enterprises by focusing on tangible, human connections as a crucial driver of business growth. The program will offer these companies a variety of support including the opportunity to travel overseas and conduct face-to-face business meetings that will result in new and/or deeper partnerships, new projects, and revenue for U.S. cities.

Starting today, businesses with a demonstrable need should visit the website for their chance apply!

The award will include 10 round trip transatlantic business class tickets to be used at their business' discretion in 2010. Also included will be five priviledged cards offering access to business lounges worldwide! Also each grant winner will be provided with $1,000 toward business accommodations. Another company will provide each grant winner with an All-In-One Printer, specifically designed for small businesses, including printer, copier, scan, fax and photo lab capabilities. Another company will offer each winning company five free global shipments of up to 500 kilos, including fuel and security fees, shipped from any applicable gateway!

So far the sponsors of this program have given away close to 1,000 airline seats to help U.S. entrepreneurs grow their businesses! According to a spokesperson for the program, "Our hope is that these business grants help businesses increase their revenues and reach important milestones in their strategic growth plans."

U.S. businesses are invited to "make their case" for those business travel endeavors that they need but haven't yet been able to meet. If their case is eligible and meets the criteria then the business may win free travel for one year to anywhere in the world that the airline flies.

Businesses interested in entering the competition should complete the entry form online telling the airline about their business objectives in 2010 and how a grant would benefit their business.

Entries will be reviewed by a group of the airline's executives and its communications and business partners. Winners will be notified by late November. Entries must represent companies with 500 employees or less and have a Federal Tax ID Number.

For more information you can visit the airline's website.

Grant Programs For Single Mothers! "Helllo, I am a mother of three and I am working and trying to finish school. I do not qualify for any aid or grants or anything but my job is no longer working out for us." I find it hard to believe that you don't qualify for any aid or grant programs. Here are some excerpts from my pages: "Grants for single mother assistance take many forms. Many grants are small, especially grants for single mother education assistance. However, these small grants can be combined with other forms of assistance and aid. By combining several grant and assistance packages, the single mother can often finance tuition, books, transportation and, even, daycare. The most common type of federal education grant can pay from $400 to $4,050 per year, depending on the cost of the school, the need of the student and the student s enrollment status. The financial aid office at all participating schools will have all information necessary to apply for these grants. There are numerous foundations offering grants for single mother assistance. These foundations generally only require that the applicant be a single mother or the child of a single mother in order to be eligible for the grant. Some foundations offer grants to assist in paying off student loans. The applicant is often expect to perform community service or do volunteer work in order to qualify for the grant. Professional women who are willing to volunteer their professional services to the community are especially eligible for grants to repay student loan debt. Teachers who are also single mothers may qualify for these grants without doing additional volunteer service, as teaching is considered to be a contribution to the community in and of itself. Grants for single mother housing assistance are available through HUD. In addition to HUD grants, many states offer housing grants to single mothers. These grants may take the form of special loan packages and they may also pay all or a portion of the closing costs for home purchases. There are also grants available to help single mothers with the down payment on a home. These grants are generally State sponsored. The local Housing Authority will have information on the State s availability of grants for single mother housing assistance. " Here is another program for single mothers: This granting program has true stories from amazing moms. Stories that they live every day & inspired by other Moms not to give up. Please read their stories & cast your vote. Congratulations to winners who have won $125 in CASH The purpose of this program is to serve as support assistance to single mothers nationwide. The more donations they, the larger the gifting fund becomes, making more gifting available to single mothers. The grants will be limited for applicants to one award for assistance every 18 months. The program is looking for amazing mothers with a real life stories. Are you an amazing mom? Do you know an amazing mom who has overcome one of life's obstacles and has gone on to inspire others? The program is looking for amazing moms with needy inspiring or an amazing story to tell. Amazing moms maybe raising children while going to school and / or working at the same time. Hardships and challenges are important obstacles to overcome. Tell them your story. How to apply? Send them an essay telling them your amazing story via email. The essay may contain up to two pages of text formatted in a MS WORD document, text style Arial, and size 10. All submitted stories will be reviewed by the program's Committee. The top 3 to 8 stories will be selected, and then posted to the website for other single moms to review and cast their vote. The top 1 to 3 stories with most votes from voters will go through a final review and approval process by the committee. Upon final approval, the winners will be notified by email. Winners must be able to provide proof of eligibility which may include, but is not limited to personal identification verification, proof of citizenship, income verification, school registration verification, and other criteria which may apply to their hardship letter as provided. Once these criteria have been satisfied, the winner will be sent the award in the form of a check by the 15th of the following month. (For example: if your story was selected is for the month of August 2005, your check will be issued by September 15, 2005 & send out a few days later). Application & Review The program committee will review your application. This program provides financial gifts to single mothers. The amount can range from $50 to $200-gifting depends on how much money the program raises each month. This program was set up to help single mothers in need when they are faced with life's unexpected challenges such as educational expenses, child care, medical expenses and work related. A check will be sent directly to you or if you request a voucher or gift certificate it will be sent directly to you by mail. The program is available to single mothers with hardships and challenges in life. Who is eligible? You must be a single mother with children under the age of 18 living in the household. U.S. legal resident Over the age of 18 Must be currently working at least 10 hours per week or recently unemployed (3 months or longer) or have completed at least 1 semester/quarter of the required program at a post secondary school. Income Requirements Single Mother-1 Child -Monthly Income=$1,000.00 or Less 2 Children =Monthly Income=$1,500.00 or Less 3 Children -Monthly Income= $2,400.00 or Less 4 Children or more=Monthly Income=$3,000.00 or Less

Government Grant Program For Energy Production Companies

There is now a government grant program that provides cash assistance to energy production companies in place of earned tax credits. The new funding creates additional upfront capital, enabling companies to create jobs and begin construction that may have been stalled until now.

This grant program has been put in place as an "investment in our long-term energy needs while creating jobs in communities around the country. This renewable energy program will spur the manufacture and development of clean energy in urban and rural America, allowing us to protect our environment, create good jobs and revitalize our nation's economy."

According to a spokesperson, "These grants will help America's businesses launch clean energy projects, putting Americans back to work in good construction and manufacturing jobs. The initiative will help double our renewable energy capacity over the next few years and make sure America leads the world in creating the clean energy economy of the future."

This grant program is expected to provide more than $3 billion in financial support for clean energy projects by providing direct payments in lieu of tax credits. These payments will support an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities in all regions of the country over the life of the program. As a result of this first round of funding, more than 2,000 Americans will have access to jobs in the renewable energy industry – both in construction and in manufacturing – while moving the nation closer to meeting the Administration's goal of doubling renewable energy generation in the next few years.

The Treasury Department opened the application process for the program on July 31, 2009 and is today making the first awards in half the statutorily mandated turnaround time of 60 days (what this means is that it took only 60 days for the grant recipients to receive the direct money payments!).

Some of the companies that have already received these grant awards include:

• A wheat farm in Oregon received over $47 Million Dollars in project funding!
  
  
• A wind farm in Texas has received over $100 Million Dollars!

As a side note - It seems as though a number of companies outside of the United States has been receiving a big chunk of this grant money. One company in Spain received over $250 Million Dollars!

Another interesting note about this particular grant program is that it has no cap - which means that there seems to be no limit on the maximum amount of grant money that can be received!



Basically what this means is that if your business is one that provides energy production then your business may be eligible to apply for this particular grant program.

$10,000 Grant Program For Non-Profits! This state program is for a social entrepreneurship program. So far three of the 12 recipients will be awarded $10,000 grants from the state to jumpstart their new business plans. The finalists will meet once a month for the next six months to develop ideas on how to expand their services or offer completely new services. During this time, the groups will be meeting with a consulting firm that will help each organization with a business plan, financial analysis and feasibility assessment. Projects that the nonprofits are pursuing include a substance abuse rehab facility, workforce development, a new cord blood bank, domestic violence prevention, community revitalization and a paint recycling program. The state funding that will go to the three final organizations is expected to act as a catalyst to draw more funding from private investors. (For more information about investors, please refer to The Investors Bulletin Board) The other nine finalists will at least have a tool to help them raise capital. according to one of the program's spokespeople, "Many of the organizations just don’t have time to sit down and make a business plan to help them expand".

Do You Need Financial Help For Your Business?

Believe it or not there are still angel investors around! What are angel investors? They are people (and businesses) willing to invest in your business!

Here is an example of one such angel investor program!

If you would like more money for your business then there is a program that you may be eligible to apply for!

What you will need to do is submit your business plan and if the sponsor(s) of this program like it then they will fund your business! It really doesn't get much more simpler than that!

In order to be eligible: Your business plan has to be for a business that will make money! Your business will also have to break even within 2 months and make a profit within 3 months! You will also have to tell the sponsor how they will receive their equity or ROI.

Priority will be given to businesses that are already established!

For more information about this funding program you can also visit the website for more information.

Grant To Start A Business An Example One woman didn’t want to leave her job but in November, the firm that she worked for announced restructuring plans — and axed her position! For about six years, she had been kicking around an idea with her now-husband: a Web site that tracked parking spots for rent in urban areas. They got the idea while chatting about parking gripes over dinner one night with friends, and the next morning went online and secured the domain name for their site. “It’s a scary jump to take the risk to leave a full-time job,” she says. Although she didn’t have any knowledge about the parking business she joined forums and associations, meeting everyone she could. Financing has also been tough. She and her husband approached banks and other traditional sources but found few willing to lend — and those that would insisted on tough terms. So, the two have relied on friends and family, as well as government grants. Another problem was more personal: finding enough self-discipline. “There’s no one telling you what to do anymore. There’s no one telling you to get out of bed at a good hour.…You’ve got to spend your heart and soul into it. You’re now your own boss.” Revenue from the site hasn’t met their early expectations. But she now thinks that those hopes were unrealistic, and the site has shown strong growth in other ways, expanding its network to 30 cities. She also adds that she has no intention of giving up entrepreneurship. “I’m not going back to being a full-time employee,” she says. “I’m working full time now, for me. It may sound selfish, but I’d rather do something for me and build my company than helping someone else build theirs.”

Here Is An Example Of An

Entrepreneur Who Got An Investor!

One man who had long worked in the home-building and remodeling industry — a lucrative field when the housing market boomed a few years ago. But after it began collapsing in mid-2007, he could no longer make a livable income, and took a job selling cars at a dealership. While working full time, he got the idea of building a Web site where consumers could solicit bids from contractors and where general contractors could solicit bids from subcontractors. A Web site, he figured, would simplify a traditionally nettlesome process and allow subcontractors to find jobs that they wouldn’t otherwise know about. In late 2007, he started working with the local small-business help center at a local university to build his business plan and buy up domain names. A counselor at the center also connected him with a local angel investor group.

In February 2008, he pitched the group on his plan for his website and asked for $200,000 to cover start-up costs. Four hours later, one angel called him and said that six of the group’s members would collectively give him the money so then and there he quit his job the next day.

“Once they said, ‘This is such a good idea that we want to put our money in it,’ that was the day I thought, wow, I’m really onto something,” the 28-year-old entrepreneur says.

He spent the next several months working on the site, investing $50,000 of his personal savings, along with $150,000 in bank financing. But growing the business was much harder than he expected, mostly given contractors’ reluctance to use the Internet. Over the first six months, only about 50 signed up for subscriptions to the site. But things are looking brighter in recent weeks as more contractors who are hard pressed to find work realize the Internet can help them. The site currently has about 190 paying subscribers, and he just secured another $200,000 of angel financing!

What’s more, the company, which has six employees, recently sold a franchise in Minnesota and another in Wisconsin for $20,000 each, and is currently talking with other potential franchisees.

He is optimistic that the company will be churning a profit by summer, but recognizes there are still many challenges ahead. “This is a high-risk operation in a struggling industry,”

*Names and specific website addresses have been withheld until the proper permission has been received!

A State Grant Program For Small (For-Profit!) Businesses!

Over $100 Million Dollars will be made available this summer to help create jobs in one state's area! According to one Senator: "The availability of these funds will provide an additional stimulus to our urban cores in the form of new jobs, investment in infrastructure and the creation of a more business-friendly environment.” The money will be used to finance business investment, infrastructure upgrades and downtown redevelopment that will advance the state’s economic vitality. The fund will support projects that help provide a framework for future growth in regions with stymied development. This funding program will be administered by a development organization and will be used to help attract businesses, improve commerce and revitalize local economies. It seems that this money has been already provided but the Governor just recently decided to release the funding! The funding will invest in projects that advance local development and small businesses, for instance making improvement to industrial parks and providing loans for purchase of equipment, real estate or other needs. Please note that the deadline to apply for this funding is June 15, 2009! Eligible applicants include municipalities, businesses, academic institutions, and non-profits. The funding awards will range from $100,000 to $5 million. The program will give a preference to requests for loans, with principal repayments able to be recycled for future projects, and according to the Governor, to ensure that each project meets the specific needs of its region. All applications will undergo a competitive review process by a regional office of directors. Application forms are now being made available online and you can download them from their website

"The Commerce Department wants to help businesses on the path with $50 million in the president’s 2010 budget to create regional “clusters” in which communities partner with colleges, universities and the business sector “to build on natural strengths." The president’s 2010 budget also includes $50 million for business incubators and “hundreds of millions” of dollars in economic grants for businesses and communities."

Grant Program For Non-Profits! *Please note that the deadline to apply for this grant is June 30, 2009! Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)3 non-profit with offices in the local area. Nominations for this grant program may be submitted at their website 5 p.m. CDT on June 30, 2009. This local area grant program was started to help local non-profits continue to offer important services to the local area! The programs will help local non-profits continue to offer important services to the area while also recognizing the hard-working and dedicated individuals who themselves have made a difference in the community. Over $50,000 in grant money will be awarded! Two grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations whose focus is in the areas of: youth development arts and culture environment stewardship The finalists will be notified in September, and the two recipient organizations will be awarded their grants at a recognition event later in 2009.

Have You Made A Positive Impact?

One adult and one high-school student will be recognized by having a grant award donated in his or her name to a qualified non-profit organization of his or her choice.

Eligible recipients must reside in the local area!

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2009.

The two selected individuals will be notified in September, and grants in these individuals` names will be awarded to qualifying organizations of their choice by the end of the year.

For additional information about this local grant program, please visit the website.

So far this organization has provided nearly $100 million to community organizations across the country with a special emphasis on those supporting K-12 education, positive youth development, arts and culture outreach, school safety and Internet safety. Through direct grants and a robust matching-gifts program for employees and retirees, this organization creatively and thoughtfully delivers a commitment to championing the communities where their customers and employees live.

You can also contact them by Email or by phone.

Grant Programs For The Unemployed? You may be eligible for a $5,000 grant towards training for a new job or career! For example one women who left her job used the grant to take computer classes and is now working at the same facility where she got her training! According to one online article: "There are dozens of grants and loans available for job training, career development, and assistance with starting a business. And you don't have to fall on hard times to take advantage of these programs. These programs are available to anyone seeking to change careers. The process of getting the job-training assistance through the program begins with a counselor assessing your skills, goals, the current job market, and financial assistance options. With the classes you want to take in mind, you choose three schools from a list of state-approved institutions, narrow that to the best option, and then work with the staff to put together a package of financial assistance. Assistance is provided for different types of career seekers: If you lose your job to foreign competition, there is a program that provides money for job-training programs up to 104 weeks at what the state and federal government deem a "reasonable cost." The program used to apply primarily to manufacturing, but the recently enacted federal stimulus package extended eligibility to service jobs. There is another financial program that will provide training grants of up to $10,000 per person for workers who lose jobs in layoffs of 50 or more people. This program can even help you with other costs such as bus fare or car insurance! There is also a loan program which will provide up to $10,000 with an interest rate of 7.8 percent which can be used to help pay for a nondegree program or up to half-time enrollment in an associate's degree program. There is also a program that will provide you with waivers which will allow you to collect unemployment benefits, even though your job search is on hold while you're attending school. The waivers are good for one year, and can extend unemployment benefits up to 18 weeks. If you are looking to start your own business then you can receive help from one of the centers that will help you meet with a bank. Then the US Small Business Administration can further assist new business ventures by guaranteeing up to 90 percent of the loan amount. An example of guarantee fees for the borrower under the program: A seven-year $50,000 loan would be set at the prime interest rate plus 2.75 percent. As an example, one women who took advantage of one of the programs started her own business. She got together another woman who was a baker with 20 years of experience who also wanted to start a business of her own. Their goal was to open a café, but neither had much in the way of managerial skills. While at a career center, she found that she could get federal funding for computer and business classes. Now, she is a co-owner of her own Café and Patisserie business which opened last year!

Grant Program For Broadband Internet!

As part of President Obama's stimulus plan there is a grant program that has been started to increase broadband internet access! The first of these grants are supposed to start this month - April 2009!

$8 Billion Dollars has been earmarked for this grant program although the details haven't been fully finalized on how this grant funding will be spent and who will qualify for the grants.

There has been a lot of interest in this particular grant program from lobbyists, telecommunications service providers and community organizers.

The funding agency said it plans to have three rounds of funding for broadband grants, with the first funds available as early as next month through June. The grants must be awarded by Sept. 30, 2010 and the government must ensure that the projects are mostly complete within two years. Applicants must also show the project would not have occurred if not for this funding program.

Part of the reason for this funding program is to generate jobs right away; workers will be needed to dig more trenches to lay down fiber and put up more cell towers. It is also a key to creating valuable high-paying jobs in the future that can help lift troubled economies.

There will be three agencies that will be in charge of the funding program which will oversee $4.7 billion in funding!. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will distribute $2.5 billion in grants and loans. The FCC has been given $350 million to create a better data collection system with a mapping program showing what services are provided in every geography of the nation. The FCC is also supposed to come up with a plan within one year to bring broadband Internet to all Americans. The remainder of the $8 billion will go to administration costs, subsidy programs for low-income users, and audits of the grants.

But before doling out the money, the agencies said they will host a series of public meetings to get comments about how best to implement the program. The agency decided to host the public meetings after receiving more than 2,000 requests for private meetings from telecom companies and other interested parties!

At the hearings and on the agency's public comments web site, interested parties can make recommendations. The funding plan was broadly worded in a way that can include wireless, fiber optic and cable networks and the agencies said they will take into consider which technologies make the most sense from an economic and technological perspective for the area served.

Updates!

The Washington Post also noted that under the stimulus law, the "first funds" for broadband expansion must start flowing between April and June of this year! All grants must be awarded by Sept. 30, 2010, and the broadband projects are supposed to be almost complete within two years.

The administration says it is soliciting comments from interested parties on a wide range of topics, including the criteria for awarding grants and who will be eligible to receive them.

It just goes to show you that I am not the only one that knows that there are government grant programs out there to be had for the small businesses! Here is a link to an article written by someone else who knows that there are government (and other) grant programs out there for the small business. I hope you enjoy reading the article and I hope that it convinces you that there are indeed government grant programs out there for those that have (or are thinking about starting) a small business!

Government Grant Program For Removal of Lead Paint In Homes!

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued A Federal Grant award in the amount of $7 Million Dollars to one city to help eliminate lead hazards in the homes of low-income households. This grant money is expected to help more than 500 families over the next three years. (So far this grant program has helped over 700 families in the local area!)

To qualify for one of the individual grants

• the home must have children under the age of 6
  
  
• the home must be owner-occupied or rental housing built before 1978
  
  
• Families are eligible if their household income is at 80 percent or below the median income, or $63,200 for a family of four.

The individual grant awards are at a maximum of $10,000 per individual grant award and the home repairs / improvements may include the replacement of lead paint-contaminated doors and windows or removal of the paint itself, followed by repainting.

For more information about this government grant program you can contact the Housing Commission by the phone number that they have included or you can send them an email via the email address that was given.



Government Grant Programs For Housing?

In their continuing efforts to help people to not become homeless the government has grant programs for housing which should be available in most states. If you need help for building a new home, financial assistance help with your mortgage or you need financial help to help pay your rent then you should look into what the government grant programs may have to offer you! They have government grant programs that help provide financial relief for those that are having problems paying their rent, if you need a low interest loan to help construct your own home!, and government programs for special prices for homes and apartments.

This is probably another one of the reasons that real estate investors have been applying for government grants relating to housing! For instance homeowners may be eligible to apply for government programs where they get reimbursed for providing discounted rent to low income families!

People who want to build their own home can get housing grants and loans. People who can afford small amount of down payment can build homes through sweat equity and get low interest home owner funds and loans.

State Grant Program For Businesses That Sell Heavy Equipement!

There is a state program that gives money to businesses that upgrade to cleaner-burning equipment! This state assistance program was started to help businesses that are heavy-equipment vendors and so far over $50 Million Dollars has been committed towards this goal! (So far over $700 Million Dollars has been committed since the program started over 5 years ago) The purpose of this grant program is to help provide more cleaner air. The program is funded through state tax receipts but also through higher fees levied on car title registrations in that state.


Examples of the types of businesses that can benefit from this state grant program include businesses involved with the selling and / or operation of oil tankers, buses and even tractor-trailors so that these businesses can retrofit or replace old machines that further pollute the air or cause additional smog conditions.

Any business owner or individual with a qualifying vehicle can apply for this state-only program! If the machine is old enough and spews enough pollution, the owner can get a new vehicle for free, although the grants usually go toward retrofits or upgrades.

One of the grant recipients is a firm that makes concrete and they were able to secure $350,000 in grant money to replace 12-year-old equipment as well as other equipment. When asked about the grant program itself the owner said, "We've done extremely well" and "Why more people don't take advantage of it is beyond me."

For information about this grant program and to see whether or not your business is eligible to apply for assistance you can reach them by calling their toll-free 800 number.




Here is a copy of a recent email I got:

Dear rose,

$50,000 for filling out a simple application?

Government and private Grants help people like yourself during these hard times. We've uncovered secret programs and they're available to you.

Click Here to learn more.

These little know programs to pay your mortgage, cover child care, and send your kids to private school.

Go back to school and have your tuition and living expenses covered. The business that you work on part time - get $15,000 to get it up and running.

We've done all the work for you. For less than a gallon of gas, you could get a check for $1,000 by sending in a form with your name on it.

Anyone can do that! You can take the next step.

Click Here to get your grant money!

I guess the people that sent me this email don't know that I do this kind of thing for a living and already know about these different kinds of grant programs because I have found many grant programs for my clients.

A Safe Haven for Those in Need

This is a call for those who are in need, know of any who are in need, or those who are able to provide out of the surplus of their blessings.

The mission of Arks of Safe Haven is to connect via an extensive network and online message board forum, those individuals and families who have been affected by recent
economic downfalls and are in need with those individuals who are ready, willing and capable of providing assistance to those in need with employment, shelter, work and food.

authorized by Rose

Money Basics 101 Blog

Bio-technology Company Receives A $3.4 Million Dollar Grant From The Government!

First off let me state that this grant award will span over a 2-year period.

The reason why this company is receiving the grant is because they will use the grant money to develop technology to advance vaccine research and development. This
technology will help with the development of vaccine systems used to protect
military personnel from biological agents.


(*On a more personal note, I really am not in favor of using animals as test models!)

Also the grant money will be used to continue the development of a trademarked technology for rapid generation of vaccine candidates and high-throughput testing in animal models. The work will be done in collaboration with another company. By creating multiple vaccine leads in parallel, the two companies hope to increase the odds of successfully advancing promising vaccines into late stage clinical trials.

This company also has vaccine programs in the areas of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and encephalitic alphaviruses, which are funded through various external agencies. Researchers at this company have also generated thousands of lead candidates for their vaccine programs using their trademarked platform.


The company has announced that they are pleased that the government will continue
to fund their work.

The grant which was announced last month will allow the company to continue work done
under a previous contract with the Department of Defense.

The same company also has a HIV program that is also being funded by the U.S.
Government's National Institutes of Health and it's Small Business Grant Program. The company has also received funding for the development of vaccines against influenza and encephalitic alphaviruses.


A recent news release contains forward-looking statements about the research and business prospects of the company including whether the Department of Defense will maintain its recent grant to them for the development of vaccine discovery technology and whether any other government agency that provides them with funding will maintain, renew or replace existing grants for any of their vaccine programs. Risk factors are more fully discussed in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including under the caption "Risk Factors," and in
the company's other periodic reports filed with the SEC, all of which are
available from the company or from the SEC's website.



Basically what this all means is that the government does have grant programs for for-profit companies and if you noticed this grant program has to do with a small business!

This company is developing technology (biological) that will help in keeping their military less susceptible to biological threats!

Now I know that this may seem like a grant program that it out of your league but you should realize that the government has other needs as well and when they can't solve the problem themselves there will usually be a grant program created and /or a subcontractor (whether it be an individual or an entity) hired.




________________________________________________________



Grants & Single Mothers

(an excerpt)


"There are numerous foundations offering grants for single mother assistance. These foundations generally only require that the applicant be a single mother or the child of a single mother in order to be eligible for the grant. Some foundations offer grants to assist in paying off student loans. The applicant is often expect to perform community service or do volunteer work in order to qualify for the grant. Professional women who are willing to volunteer their professional services to the community are especially eligible for grants to repay student loan debt. Teachers who are also single mothers may qualify for these grants without doing additional volunteer service, as teaching is considered to be a contribution to the community in and of itself."

________________________________________________________

Dental Students Receive Grants!

Over sixty dental school students received nearly a quarter of a million dollars in grants this year from various dental-related organizations.


These 2008 Awards were presented to students at 20 dental schools in 12 states and the District of Columbia, recognize graduating dental students who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.

-- Awards total $212,500;

Individual amounts range from $2,500 to $12,500

The awards were established in 1977 in honor of one of the first chief executive officers of a dental organization in California, which is now part of the largest dental benefits delivery system in the country.

Even Big Companies Like Dell Get Government Grants!

If you still think that there are no grant programs out there then you should read the information below:

Dell, the computer company, will continue to get MILLIONS of dollars in state and local grants. In return the company has promised to create more jobs and invest money in the area.

This comes after a court decision was made when Dell was sued because an advocacy group thought that the government grants that they were getting were benefitting the company more than it was benefitting the community. When the initial court ruling was in Dell's favor, the group decided to appeal but their appeal was rejected by the State Court Of Appeals. The court has ruled in favor of Dell which may possible mean that the computer company will not have to pay income tax on the government grant money that it has received. Basically the decision was that state officials have the right to decide who they give government grant money to.

Texas-based Dell could get up to $278 million in state grants and tax breaks if it makes good on its promise, plus a local package worth $37.2 million that covers taxes and startup and other costs.

Do You Own A Small Trucking Company? Here Is A Grant Program That You May Be Interested In!

The Environmental Protection Agency has started a NEW $50 Million grant program to help reduce the harmful effects of diesel engine emmissions.

Applications have been accepted as early as last month!

This grant program is targeted specifically towards the smaller trucking companies and larger truckings companies are not eligible to apply! If you own a small business that is not a trucking company you still may be eligible to apply!

*There is still not yet a firm determination as to which businesses qualify as a "small" business yet

The grant program itself provides financial grants for those (small) businesses that want apply for grant money to replace and retrofit diesel engines that predate when the EPA started engine standards 10 years ago. Examples of the diesel engines mentioned includ heavy duty trucks, buses, certain farm equipment and construction vehicles.

Grant recipients can use the money to pay for EPA-verified retrofit and idle-reduction technology, EPA-certified engine upgrades and vehicle or equipment replacements.

Applications can be found at the government website and application submissions will be accepted now. For more information you can visit the government's website and you can also contact them by email.

Here is a direct quote from one of the staff members associated with this grant program:

“We intend for this money to go to small companies and small fleet owners that need this kind of support.......”..........“Large companies will not qualify.” ...............................

Are There Any Grant Programs To Buy Into A Franchise?

Hi Rose, I am a "single" mother and I am extremely interested in starting my own business. My aunt in New Jersey is a very knowledgable grant writer in New Jersey, but unfortunately only has the knowledge of non-profit grant programs. I have put together a small business plan at this time, and I am looking at doing a two-in-one type of business. Originally I started out inquiring about a program which offers a birthday (or other celebration ) set up with inflatable toys, bouncers, and slides, that is affordable to many family classifications. I was interested in doing this for my daughter, but found that there is no such business operating in any area even remotely close to me. So I inquired about operating one of their franchizes. There is a small start up cost of $3,000 as well as 3-day training course that must be taken in New Orleans before being accepted. They also offer a trailer purchase at $4,000, to transport the equipment, and I think this type of business would be extremely successful. We would be leasing the equipment from this company, with a 40% to us from the sales. I then did further research to see about starting up our own indoor playground for children and youth that would be extremely affordable and at a reasonable location for easy access to a diverse population of people. I have looked into building leases (cost) equipment purcahse prices, operating costs, business set-up, marketing ideas, and concessions. With the proceeds we make, I would love to set up a "free fun day" for children and youth to come and experience the fun that has never been offered in or around our city, which would also help in our marketing. I would like to operate the birthday party set-up as an additional option for families, so that we can bring the party to them, wherever they may want to celebrate! I have done lots of research the past few weeks on attempting to find grants that would assist in my business start-up, as my credit situation is not that good. My fiance is an African-American, and he would also be co-opearating this business with me. He doesn't have bad credit, just the unfortunate problem of having NO CREDIT! Any information you can provide would be extremely helpful, I have found the CAFE site, and its great...but I am looking for any additional grant information you might be able to help with, or inform me more of the grant services you provide. Thank you so much...I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience!

Best Wishes
J~

....there is quite a difference between starting one's own business vs buying into a franchise - at least the grant process sees it that way.

There seem to be quite a few loan programs to help people buy into a franchise but so far I have not seen any grant programs for this sort of thing. So if you really want to go the route of the franchise-thing you may have trouble finding grant programs for it but may be able to find some loan programs for it.

However if you are still considering grants then I would look into the possibility of taking the concept of the franchise that you want to buy into and turnig it into a business that would qualify for grant funding such as daycare or a business relating to children.

As I have noted on my grants pages and blogs there are still grant programs out there for those that want to start a business of their own (as opposed to buying into a franchise). In fact I just recently answered a question similar to your email from another woman who wanted to buy into a franchise with a government grant. My answer to her appears here

then in a later email................

Hi Ms. Rose...you have read my mind, I actually have decided against the franchise idea, I have decided to run my own business doing the same thing without having to give away over half my commission/profits back to the company themselves. It makes much more sense to start my own similar company, as we have very little competition for this. I am debating two options for my start-up business, and I am torn between the two, but both have to do with providing fun and professional service to children. I was wondering if you could maybe give me your opinion on which may be easier in obtaining a grant, and where I might find grants for this type of business. The first is an inflatable bouncer rental business for children's birthday parties, carnivals (schools/daycares), or other celebration events where kids may participate, the start-up costs would be about 20-25,000 and we would be able to keep our jobs and start this over the weekends without too much effort. (2-3 competitors in my particular city, with more within 60 mile radius). The other is an indoor play center for children and toddlers, possibly with both concessions and a cafe sitting area, with inflatable bouncers/slides, interactive games/obstacle courses, arcade games, gym court for basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, as well as a smaller toddler area wth age appropriate toys and fun things to do and learn with. (only one competitor..no cafe and we would like to have a larger variety of equipment than the competitor) The start up costs for this would be much higher and my fiance would quit his job to run this (he only makes about 1200/month). However, our profits would probably be much larger in this business as would our beginning debts....unless we would be able to obtain some larger grants? If you have time and are interested in responding, I would be much obliged. We will soon be adding another addition to our family in the next 2 months, Im wanting to have as much time with my family as I can. My credit is not good right now as we were a couple that got into those ARM mortgages and our payments have been late for the past 4-5 months (we are currently trying to short sale our home..) and my fiance doesnt have bad credit, he just has NO credit..and when I say NONE..he has NONE....so if you have any ideas how to start with our financing and maybe the best decision on what might be easier for us to apply for grant assistance or any funding asstance...thank you so much for responding to my previous email...that was extremely thoughtful of you...I appreciate your opinions and knowledge! :)

thanks so much! :)
J~

It is my opinion that you should combine your idea(s). The more that you have to offer the more potential money your business will make.

Grants do not depend on someone's credit rating.

It is also my opinion that you find a way to make your business a combination non-profit and for-profit because that tactic is now a growing trend. It also (will) give you the "best of both worlds".

If you are looking for getting the most grant financing possible then you are going to have to adapt your business plan to those grant programs that relate to the types of services that you will be providing.

There are grant programs for those that want to start their own business as well as there being grant programs related to childrens' services. You should research and go through these grant programs - read what their requirements and qualifications are as far as eligibilty is concerned and see if you can adapt your business to qualify for eligibility for as many of them as you can find. The majority of grant programs being offered allow for one to apply for other grant programs in addition to their own so you can apply for as many as you are eligible for.

Over 90% of all the information that I have found about grant programs for clients has been online so there would be a good place for you to start looking for these kinds of grant programs.

Grant Program For Entrepreneurs!

Here is a quite bold grant competition program that is seeking entrepreneurs who have ideas to help solve the problems of the world!

The goal of this funding 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.

This funding opportunity is an open funding competition. They are 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 competition, all entries must:

• Be innovative
  
  
• Be a commercial, for-profit venture
  
  
• Address one of the major points of the organization itself
  
  
• Not have received more than $100K in funding by the submission deadline
  
  
• Demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact as well as an economic return

If you are not sure whether or not your business idea meets the above criteria, the sponsors of this funding program are happy to discuss your particular case. You can visit their website for more details and contact information.

All entrants will be required to submit a 5-page executive summary of their business idea. Up to five additional pages will be allowed for relevant exhibits and appendices e.g. team CVs, financial reports, letters from potential customers.


All entries must use 10-point or larger font and be submitted as a single Word or PDF attachment. This should be no more than 2MB in size.


Entries will only be accepted via the 4-step registration process accessed via the 'Submit your idea' page of our website.


Executive Summary Guidelines


All executive summaries should contain the following information and headings:

Team Name
Opening Statement
The Idea & Unique Selling Point (USP)
The Market Opportunity
The Management Team
The Financial Plan
The Environmental and Social Benefits

To download detailed guidance on the Executive Summary please click the link that is provided on the website. (This download is in .pdf format)

All teams must have one designated team leader. The team leader will be the main point of contact for the competition organizers and will take responsibility for coordinating with each team members.


All work submitted must be the original work of the members of the team which they are free to disclose. Teams will not be able to submit the same proposal in to more than one category, though contestants can be members of more than one team.

Entrants need not have registered a company at the time of entry to the competition but will be required to do so in order to receive cash prizes.

Financial assistance will be offered to all competition finalists. For international entrants this will cover travel and accomodation costs. For UK entrants financial assistance will cover accomodations costs on the reqired dates only.

All entries must be submitted via website!

If you have a question or query about a plan that you have already submitted, please contact the competition organizers via email.

$1 Millon Grant To Research And STUDY Daycare!

The most interesting thing about this government grant program is that it is open for for-profit businesses to apply for! For instance if you already operate a daycare and are a for-profit business you may be eligible to apply for this grant!

Here is more information about the grant program itself!



Eligible Applicants

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  

• Private institutions of higher education
  

• Small businesses
  

• For profit organizations other than small businesses
  

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Additional eligibility types:

• Hispanic-Serving Institutions
  

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  

• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
  

• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
  

• Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply.
  

• Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.

The purpose of this grant program announcement is to award a cooperative agreement to operate Child Care and Early Education Research Connections for five years. This cooperative will work to support family economic self-sufficiency and child care quality for families with children ages 0-12 or with special needs by fostering a child care and early education knowledge management and support system.


Basically what this means is that this grant program fund supports projects that add to the knowledge about the efficacy of child care policies and programs toward achieving two targeted long-term outcomes which are enhancing the economic security of low-income families with young children and improving quality in all child care and early education settings.

This is basically a research and/or study grant to help find ways to better help low-income families who have young children and to find better ways to enhance child care and other educational settings that are targeted towards young children.

Other goals include:

• Operating a state-of-the-art, web-based child care and early education project with a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of research articles and reports, selected datasets, policy data, ready access to datasets for secondary analysis, technical assistance for contributors and users, strong linkages with other archives and information systems, and ongoing synthesis of data into useful information and knowledge for child care and early education research and policy.
  

• Making sound child care and early education research findings available to researchers and policymakers in accessible language and formats.

Deadline for Applications: May 2008!

Applicants are highly encouraged to send a letter of intent

Applications can be submitted via the government's website

Acceptable electronic formats for the application attachments (narratives, charts, etc.) must use the following standard technologies, i.e., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, Jpeg, and Gif.

It is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties are encountered there will still be sufficient time to submit a hard copy via express mail. It is to an applicant's advantage to submit 24 hours ahead of the closing date and time in order to address any difficulties that may be encountered.

Applications can be submitted in person, by mail and via website.

There are 2 official government agencies that can be contacted for more information. They can be reached by mail, phone and email.


Grant Award: $1.5 Million (over a period of 5 years)

Address to Request Application Package

If you would like to receive notifications of changes to this grant opportunity click send me change notification emails. The only thing you need to provide for this service is your email address. No other information is requested.

Here Is A Grant Program To Help A Business GET A Grant!

Since I get a good deal of information about new grant programs emailed to me on a regular basis, here is an announcement of a new grant program that has been started to help businesses GET a grant:

This grant program is being sponsored by a state-funded organization

The purpose of this new grant program is to help small businesses to improve their chances of winning federal dollars for research and development.

Up to $4,000 will be awarded to qualified businesses that need assistance apply for a grant programs being offered by the federal government. In other words, this grant program is providing grant money to businesses to help them better apply for federal grants!

The federal grant program provides grants that are designed to stimulate innovation and development in high technology industries.

The organization began accepting applications March 2008 for the $100,000 allocated for the training program, and will accept submissions until June 30th, 2008 or funds are depleted.

Acceptable grant award expenditures include:

• consultant services
  
  
• printing supplies
  
  
• conference and workshop registration fees relating to applying for the federal grant program
  
  
• database search fees and legal fees for provisional patent preparation costs

Even though states like to boast about how they have some of the most innovative businesses in the nation, too often those businesses are held back by a lack of financial resources and industry connections.

Here is a quoted excerpt from one of the members of the organization:

"The federal government has billions of dollars in grant money set aside each year that, if secured, could advance the mission of these businesses and, in turn, the economy of our state.”

Last year, the federal government awarded over $2 billion in research dollars to small businesses across the nation, but only a small fraction of those funds came to one state in particular.

There seems to be an interest in this specific grant program because they are trying to increase the number of businesses in their own state that apply for these federal grants. According to records this one state only receives about 1/10th of the grant monies that some other states have been awarded in comparison to their own state. By starting this new grant program, the organizations hopes to increase those numbers and increase the amount of grant money that has been awarded to businesses in the state.

More information and applications are available at the organization's website