Showing posts with label What Is Your Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What Is Your Opinion. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Here Is Another Myth About Government Grants!
A government grant is an award of financial assistance from a government agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of that country. Grants are not loans or assistance to individuals."
This is yet another myth about government grants. You really have to look into government grants to find out the truth - which is that there are many, many programs out there that are government grants that provide financial assistance to individuals.
The one that comes to my mind is the government grant program that provides financial assistance to those that are having problems paying their heating bills - especially during the winters when it is most needed. This is a government grant program where you have to fill out some paperwork to show that you meet the eligibility requirements and if you do meet them they will provide a payment to your heating / utility company. This is a government grant program that you do not have to pay back!
There is yet another grant program that provides loans to homeowners who are having trouble making their mortgage payments and who maybe facing foreclosure. This is a government loan program and it is not a government grant.
These are just 2 examples that dispel the myth that is mentioned above. If you have your doubts about government grant programs, the best way to solve that doubt is to find out more about government grants and what they are all about.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
"I Think You Are A Scam Artist......"
Here is a recent comment that I have gotten:
i just want to say what a scam and rip off artist i think you are..you are one these high class snobs that wants to get rich quick at the exspense of less fortunate honest people..and by reading down thru the page,it sounds to me like you have really got a bad&smart a.... attitude..i am a disabled combat veteran,and i need financial grant help,along with many other veterans,because our fine govt.says they cant help us..then comes along people like you,slivering around like an ole snake scamming people so you can live high on the hog..right now,i dont have $9.25 let alone $925,and i know there is many other people feel the same way..i gave 10 years of my life to help assure your safety and freedom for the soil you walk on.now i think that is worth something........."
It is not only me that thinks that is worth something but our government also believes that it is worth something and that is why there are so many grant and financial programs that are available to veterans like yourself. My own brother is a veteran and he receives quite a few benefits both financial and otherwise from the government and other entities as well.
Please understand that information about government grant programs has to be made accessible to the public which means that you can find information about government grants at your local library and our own government's website as well! As for the other grant programs that are available to veterans from other organizations you need only to start looking and doing some research online - for a start.
If you really need help financially you should start at your local social services agency because that is what they are there for. Our tax dollars are what pays for them to be there.
There are financial grant programs out there that are available for veterans. As a matter of fact there is a grant program that provides a free house to veterans!
Can you tell me anything that you have done to seek any of these programs out? Because they are out there and available for people like you who qualify to apply.
I am glad that you sent me this comment because it further allows me to tell people that there is financial help out there available for those that qualify for it and all they have to do is to start looking for them. Have you started to do that?
Here are just a few of the kinds of programs that are available to eligible veterans:
- A little-known grant program is available for disabled veterans to help them get started in their own business. The grant award amout can be up to $10,000 and can be explored by contacting your local VA office. You can also write to them using a specific address and you can also e-mail them as well as calling their toll-free number! To learn more, visit their website.
- There is an organization that injured veterans can apply to receive homes free of any mortgage.
One area is receiving $100,000 for a rebate program, which provides a rebate to people who purchase Energy Star qualified home appliances like air conditioners and water heaters. The purpose of this rebate program is to help reduce residential utility bills! |
Aquarium Gets
A $1 Million Dollar Grant!
One aquarium has been awarded 2 grants totaling over $1 Million Dollars! The grant monies will be used for initiatives about the impact of climate change on the oceans.
The grants are to encourage individual action to the problem of climate change on oceans. One of the grants, worth over $900,000 supports a suite of programs to help with one of the aquarium's upcoming exhibits that is related to climate control education. The 2nd grant worth over $500,000 will support the aquarium's participation in a coalition of aquariums that educate about climate change. The grant will help in efforts to create a virtual reality theater show that incorporates the Google Earth technology. The grant will also be used to give staff and volunteers additional training on how best to motivate people to take action against global climate change.
There is a foundation that helps women who have breast cancer and are undergoing surgery and treatment. This foundation provides $500 grants for services such as child care, housekeeping, yard maintenance, in-home pet care, personal errands, transportation, meals, professional photographs, massage, exercise and yoga. Each woman undergoing treatment is eligible There are no income criteria For more information, visit the foundation's website or you can call the foundation's office using their toll-free phone number. |
Monday, April 14, 2008
If Convicted Sex Offenders Can Get Federal Aid, Then Why Can't You?
I get a lot of email from people who ask about grant programs and financial aid for going back to school. They tell me that finding information about financial aid for school is too hard to find.
Then you're going to have to explain why there was a recent article about how convicted sex offenders were getting federal financial to take online courses? And to make this story even more newsworthy it turns out that a lot of them spent the money on things like clothing and music! One of Iowa's most dangerous sex offenders has received thousands of dollars in federal aid to take college courses through the mail! (Prison inmates are ineligible for this kind of funding. Students convicted of certain drug offenses are also ineligible.) One of the "loopholes" for applying for this kind of federal financial aid is that the applicant doesn't have to disclose their living arrangements on their application forms - which means that the sex offenders didn't have to disclose where they were "living". In the state of Iowa more than 10 offenders in a Cherokee Mental Health Institute received grants. More than half of them dropped their courses after receiving the grant money.
Recent information about such offenders receiving this grant money came as a result of a newspaper report about 54 offenders at one Florida center getting $200,000 in grants in one year.
Of course there are arguments on both sides about this recent finding. On the one hand some think that being able to take educational courses will help some sex offenders adjust better in society and others think that it is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
But as someone who does grant research I find the fact that those mentioned in the article were able to find out about such information about grants quite intriguing when other people have told me that they couldn't find any information about grants and / or financial assistance for going back to school. Now you even know that there is financial aid available even if you want to take online courses!
Then you're going to have to explain why there was a recent article about how convicted sex offenders were getting federal financial to take online courses? And to make this story even more newsworthy it turns out that a lot of them spent the money on things like clothing and music! One of Iowa's most dangerous sex offenders has received thousands of dollars in federal aid to take college courses through the mail! (Prison inmates are ineligible for this kind of funding. Students convicted of certain drug offenses are also ineligible.) One of the "loopholes" for applying for this kind of federal financial aid is that the applicant doesn't have to disclose their living arrangements on their application forms - which means that the sex offenders didn't have to disclose where they were "living". In the state of Iowa more than 10 offenders in a Cherokee Mental Health Institute received grants. More than half of them dropped their courses after receiving the grant money.
Recent information about such offenders receiving this grant money came as a result of a newspaper report about 54 offenders at one Florida center getting $200,000 in grants in one year.
Of course there are arguments on both sides about this recent finding. On the one hand some think that being able to take educational courses will help some sex offenders adjust better in society and others think that it is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
But as someone who does grant research I find the fact that those mentioned in the article were able to find out about such information about grants quite intriguing when other people have told me that they couldn't find any information about grants and / or financial assistance for going back to school. Now you even know that there is financial aid available even if you want to take online courses!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Grants For Daycare - Is This Just A Myth?
For some time now I have been seeing this article and it's really been bugging me!
The Straight Facts First - (The Plight of Grantseeking for For-profit Business Owners)
Before you begin your 8 Steps to Obtaining Grants, there is some very important information you need to understand first. While there is a lot of talk about "how to find grants" in the child care field, most caregivers, especially independent home child care operators or persons starting a private or for-profit child care facility, don't realize that it is almost impossible for them to find grant money from any level of government. That is of course, with the exception of perhaps that which might be obtained from new business startup programs and the odd program operated by their provincial or state governments, generally under the Department of Children and Family Services.
'Almost impossible' - does that mean that there aren't ANY such grant programs? Of course I know that this is not true. Also you have to remember that it is not only just the government that has grant programs. And even though the above article says that there is the "odd state program for start-up grants I have found that these kinds of state grant programs for start-up businesses are becoming more and more and increasing at a more than "odd" rate.
The truth is "When it comes to private enterprises --- no matter how worthy or socially relevant --- unless they seek and obtain non-profit status, there is not(hing) I (or they) can do."
For-profit child care business operators, large and small, may, that's a small may because they aren't all that many programs available with a few exceptions (may) be able to: apply for local state/provincial programs. Other than that, the best way to locate financing for their child care business is to:
Unfortunately the above article is very troubling. It's obvious that they just don't know what they are talking about!
The Straight Facts First - (The Plight of Grantseeking for For-profit Business Owners)
Before you begin your 8 Steps to Obtaining Grants, there is some very important information you need to understand first. While there is a lot of talk about "how to find grants" in the child care field, most caregivers, especially independent home child care operators or persons starting a private or for-profit child care facility, don't realize that it is almost impossible for them to find grant money from any level of government. That is of course, with the exception of perhaps that which might be obtained from new business startup programs and the odd program operated by their provincial or state governments, generally under the Department of Children and Family Services.
'Almost impossible' - does that mean that there aren't ANY such grant programs? Of course I know that this is not true. Also you have to remember that it is not only just the government that has grant programs. And even though the above article says that there is the "odd state program for start-up grants I have found that these kinds of state grant programs for start-up businesses are becoming more and more and increasing at a more than "odd" rate.
The truth is "When it comes to private enterprises --- no matter how worthy or socially relevant --- unless they seek and obtain non-profit status, there is not(hing) I (or they) can do."
For-profit child care business operators, large and small, may, that's a small may because they aren't all that many programs available with a few exceptions (may) be able to: apply for local state/provincial programs. Other than that, the best way to locate financing for their child care business is to:
- Look into bank loans
- Obtain venture capital
- Seek gifts and loans from family and friends
- Look for advice from incubator organizations
- Obtain counsel from local small business and women's associations.
Unfortunately the above article is very troubling. It's obvious that they just don't know what they are talking about!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
"Grant" Program With A Fee - For Single Moms - I'll Let YOU Decide!
Like I have said before I am not too crazy about "grant" programs that charge a fee and I don't usually recommend them to my clients unless they specifically ask for more information about these kinds of programs.
But I will let you decide for yourself......
This "grant" program is for moms with a business idea? If you have a dream of starting your own business (and you are a mom) then you are invited to apply for for this grant.
The purpose of this grant program is to help other moms achieve their business dreams. The organization that is sponsoring this grant program has always assisted moms in business with business advice but now wants to help some moms who want to start their own business, but do not have the finances to make it happen.
Since obtaining money to start a business is far from easy this grant program will give one mom a $1,000 business grant which will require absolutely no repayment! This is a fabulous opportunity for any mom who has an amazing business idea or wants to expand her existing business. And a new grant winner will be chosen every three months!
Other sponsoring partners have been included to provide the winning mom with essential business start up products. This will allow the $1,000 business grant to stretch even further since the mom won't have to purchase equipment themselves. The exciting news continues as the mom chosen will also receive a brand new computer and printer! Also a website will be created for you (or your existing website will be updated)!
If you are chosen to receive the grant you must use it to help your existing business or start a new one. And you have to let the organization know how you spent the grant within 30 days of receiving it.
In order to be eligible for this "grant" program:
They also include in their literature:
"And if you are serious about starting or expanding your business, this application fee will not stand in your way.
Like I said before, I'll let you decide whether or not you consider this a real grant program. (Personally I do not!)
But I will let you decide for yourself......
This "grant" program is for moms with a business idea? If you have a dream of starting your own business (and you are a mom) then you are invited to apply for for this grant.
The purpose of this grant program is to help other moms achieve their business dreams. The organization that is sponsoring this grant program has always assisted moms in business with business advice but now wants to help some moms who want to start their own business, but do not have the finances to make it happen.
Since obtaining money to start a business is far from easy this grant program will give one mom a $1,000 business grant which will require absolutely no repayment! This is a fabulous opportunity for any mom who has an amazing business idea or wants to expand her existing business. And a new grant winner will be chosen every three months!
Other sponsoring partners have been included to provide the winning mom with essential business start up products. This will allow the $1,000 business grant to stretch even further since the mom won't have to purchase equipment themselves. The exciting news continues as the mom chosen will also receive a brand new computer and printer! Also a website will be created for you (or your existing website will be updated)!
If you are chosen to receive the grant you must use it to help your existing business or start a new one. And you have to let the organization know how you spent the grant within 30 days of receiving it.
In order to be eligible for this "grant" program:
- You must be a mom over the age of 21 living in the United States.
- You have to subscribe to the organization's newsletter (but subscribing is free)
- You have to pay the $25 application fee to be considered.
The $25 non-refundable application fee will cover the administrative costs associated with the grant.
They also include in their literature:
"And if you are serious about starting or expanding your business, this application fee will not stand in your way.
Like I said before, I'll let you decide whether or not you consider this a real grant program. (Personally I do not!)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Grants versus Loans? Your Opinion?
Here is an interesting question:
Do you think that the government should provide loans or grants to areas affected by flooding?
There are so many variables to consider here. For one you have to remember that the government doesn't have an endless stream of money. And also too the money that is being provided is coming from taxpayer dollars.
The government wants to provide a t0 / 50 split between government grants and loans. That is half the money would be provided in government grants and forgiveable loans and the other half would be repayable loans.
Of course to the individual or business that needs the money the answer would of course be to have the grant instead of the loan.
But remember just in this year alone we have seen a lot of flood-affected areas that have been declared a state of emergency which makes them eligible for federal funding. And thats not including areas affected in past years.
There have been claims by those applying for federal assistance that the process has been made too difficult or complicated to apply for. Other complaints include businesses being told that it would be much better for them if they applied for the loans instead of the grant programs. Understandably businesses would rather apply for the grants because on top of them having their businesses being affected by flooding they don't want to incur more debt by applying for a loan.
The government's side does raise some valid points though. You have to remember that each area eligible for federal assistance has to be (or should be) treated the same - meaning if one area is eligible for grants then any other area affected should also be eligible for grants - again - meaning a 50/50 split. There shouldn't just be one area that can get grants and then another area with the same problems only being eligible for loans.
However I have to be on the side of the possible applicants because if one's business has been devasted by flood-related weather if they don't get the money to be able to revive their business then they may not want to revive it and then that makes the economy in that area go down. It will mean loss of jobs and loss of income for that area.
But what do you think about this?
Remember that your opinion counts and while some people think that they don't - they really do.
Do you think that the government should provide loans or grants to areas affected by flooding?
There are so many variables to consider here. For one you have to remember that the government doesn't have an endless stream of money. And also too the money that is being provided is coming from taxpayer dollars.
The government wants to provide a t0 / 50 split between government grants and loans. That is half the money would be provided in government grants and forgiveable loans and the other half would be repayable loans.
Of course to the individual or business that needs the money the answer would of course be to have the grant instead of the loan.
But remember just in this year alone we have seen a lot of flood-affected areas that have been declared a state of emergency which makes them eligible for federal funding. And thats not including areas affected in past years.
There have been claims by those applying for federal assistance that the process has been made too difficult or complicated to apply for. Other complaints include businesses being told that it would be much better for them if they applied for the loans instead of the grant programs. Understandably businesses would rather apply for the grants because on top of them having their businesses being affected by flooding they don't want to incur more debt by applying for a loan.
The government's side does raise some valid points though. You have to remember that each area eligible for federal assistance has to be (or should be) treated the same - meaning if one area is eligible for grants then any other area affected should also be eligible for grants - again - meaning a 50/50 split. There shouldn't just be one area that can get grants and then another area with the same problems only being eligible for loans.
However I have to be on the side of the possible applicants because if one's business has been devasted by flood-related weather if they don't get the money to be able to revive their business then they may not want to revive it and then that makes the economy in that area go down. It will mean loss of jobs and loss of income for that area.
But what do you think about this?
Remember that your opinion counts and while some people think that they don't - they really do.
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