There Is Still Some UnSpent Katrina Money Out There!

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



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

Some Facts About Getting Government Grants For "Going Green"

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

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

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

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

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

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

source
Green Jobs Ready.com

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.

The Switch To Digital TV!

I just got finished posting on my Getting To Know You Blog about the switch to digital tv and me not being ready for it!

I have now come to find out that the deadline date has been extended to June 12 which is a BIG relief to me!

Since grant research and grant consulting is what I do I decided to go ahead and fill out my application online for the 2 $40 off coupons that the government is allowing each household!

I went to their website and filled out an application online. I already know from listening to the news that the funding has run out for the coupons but those who still sign up between now and March are still eligible to apply for the coupons.

I have a copy of their application and will give a copy to those who make a $5 donation however it should be noted that even though the date has been extended to June, the application itself still has the February 17, due date on it. However you will be glad to know that the application also includes links to their website as well!



Even though this doesn't officially qualify as a government grant (heck - maybe it does!) I do believe that all things are related....

This is after all a program providing financial relief to those in need and actually this is quite different because it seems that all households regardless of income are eligible to apply for this coupons - which is probably one of the best examples of a government grant program - right?

IRS data show that each year about 131 million individuals file tax returns and pay an average of $7,633 to the IRS. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget and recent independent studies show that the government gives out over $1.5 Trillion a year to individuals through its free money programs. One and one half trillion dollars in government money programs, divided by 131 million taxpayers, means that the average taxpayer is getting $11,450 a year in cash back from the government in free money programs. Are you getting yours?

How About A Grant Program For Biking Organizations?

There is a biking-related foundation that has awarded four grants so far this year in the amount of $10,000. Applicants can request up to $10,000. Requests for more than $10,000 will generally be viewed unfavorably unless the applicant has an extremely compelling case that the proposal is of unique and/or national importance. These grant awards have gone to organizations that are supporting their communities through bicycling, establishing innovative bike programs for young riders, and setting—and raising—the bicycle-advocacy bar. Grants are awarded for best practices in bicycle advocacy, safety, and youth programming. Bicycle advocacy organizations must have a mission and activities directly relating to bicycling. They typically work to improve bicycling conditions and affect positive change on a local, regional, state, or national level. Most are incorporated 501c3 nonprofits.


Recipients of these grants include an organization that has an incentive program that promotes healthier, happier children, and a cleaner environment, by encouraging kids to ride their bikes and walk to school. Their program began in 2004 at an elementary school and has since gone on now to include other elementary schools as well.

This grant program strives to put more people on bicycles more often by funding important and influential projects that leverage federal funding and build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. These projects include bike paths, lanes, and routes, as well as bike parks, mountain bike trails, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.

Since 1999, this organization has awarded 180 grants to municipalities and grassroots groups in 45 states and the District of Columbia, investing nearly $1.5 million in community bicycling projects and leveraging close to $500 million in federal, state, and private funding.

Who is eligible to apply? - The organization welcomes grant applications from organizations and agencies within the United States that are committed to putting more people on bicycles more often. Nonprofit trails groups and public agencies or departments at the local, regional, and national levels may apply for facility grants. The organization encourages municipalities to partner with bicycle advocacy groups when applying for our funding in order to insure that bicyclists are involved in and supportive of the project. The organization does not fund individuals.


Fundable projects include paved bike paths and rail-trails as well as mountain bike trails, bike parks, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.

The organization does not accept applications for bicycle recycling, repair, or earn-a-bike programs, or for bicycle rodeos.

Grant applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations whose missions are bicycle and/or trail specific. Public agencies and departments at the national, state, regional, and local levels, are encouraged to align with a local bicycle advocacy group that will help develop and advance the project or program. (Please note that grants are rarely awarded to organizations and communities that have received their grantfunding within the past three years.)

If your organization is new, and you have not yet acquired your nonprofit status, you may submit an application with the assistance of another nonprofit that has agreed to serve as your fiscal agent. You will need to provide a letter from the fiscal sponsor outlining their role in the project.

This organization does not fund individuals.

It is also important to note that the organization has moved to paperless applications. Applications are now accepted via e-mail only.

The completed application consists of three main parts. Please submit the following material in ONE e-mail, with your project title in the subject line. Your e-mail message should not exceed 10 MB.

1. Cover Letter: The letter should introduce your organization and proposal. It should appear as the body of the e-mail.
   
   
2. The application is available as a downloadable file: This Microsoft Word file includes the Administrative Information Form and the Grant Application Narrative.
   
   
3. Attachments: These include your financials as well as support letters from the bike industry*, a list of your board members, a project map or plan, and media articles.

*Support letters from the local bicycle industry are KEY to your proposal. Letters from this organization's members—retailers and suppliers—will strengthen your application. Please ask your supporters to address their letters to the Grant Committee, as form letters will not be considered. You can visit the organization's website to view a list of their members.

Additional information is not encouraged unless it is absolutely essential to the organization's understanding of your project. They will contact you should they need further information on which to base a decision.

The organization no longer accepts mailed or faxed applications. All application materials must be submitted together, in the same e-mail message—no exceptions. Incomplete or excessively long applications will not be considered.

Completed applications can be sent via email

Grant Application Schedule runs on a quarterly cycle up to February 2010. Applications must be e-mailed by the due date in order to be considered for the ensuing decision date.

Depending on the number of applications received, the organization currently awards funding to about 15–20% of completed applications.

Generally, grantees can expect to receive funding within three weeks of the grant award.

For more information about this grant program you can read the organization's guidelines on their website, contact them via email or you can contact them by phone.

"How Do I Get Grant Information Without Paying For It?"

The most simplest way to get grant program information is to do the research yourself.

As far as the government grant programs are concerned you have to understand that since government grants are funded by taxpayers, the government has to make information about their grant programs freely accessible to the public.

They have done that with both having a website devoted to the government grant programs that are out there and they also provide printed publications that you should be able to find at your local library. Even if you aren't able to find the information you can always ask the librarian about it.

Not all grant programs are provided by the government. There are other entities that have grant programs as well and they include non-profit organizations, clubs, associations and even some businesses.

In fact you may be able to find out about grant programs for free if you go to your local social service agency. You should know that these agencies have been established by the government to help people (and sometimes they even get grants theirselves!) and who would know better about government grant programs than them?

Many times I will get people who want me to provide them with information about grant programs and I guess they just don't realize how much work is involved when finding grant programs that one is eligible to apply for.

Everytime I get a new client (or when I get an old client looking for more information about new or other grant programs), they must first fill out a questionaire that I have set up on one of my pages. Filling this out lets me know a lot of information and helps me to pinpoint the kind of searching that I will have to do when looking for specific types of grant programs.

However finding these grant programs is really no secret at all. You just got to keep on searching until you find the information - sort of comparable to finding a needle in a haystack - the needle is there but you just have to find it.

Over 90% of the information that I have found about grant programs has been online. If you have access to a computer you should be able to find this kind of information as well.

After you have been doing this for a while (like I have) you will start to get the information about grant programs mailed to you which helps to make your research more easier.

But to put it simply - to get information about grant programs without having to pay for it the solution is to simply find the information yourself. It is available online and as far as the government grants are concerned information about them is also provide in printed form and you should be able to find them at your library.

Are You Looking To Buy A Home At A Discount?

So many people are looking for government (or other) grant money to be able to buy their own home. Here is a government grant program that allows eligible applicants to buy a home at a discounted price.

If you are a law enforcement officer, this program may help you purchase a home in a HUD-revitalization area by offering qualified purchasers a 50% discount off the list price of homes available from HUD's inventory. You must agree to live in the home for three years and it may be your only residence during that time.

General Program Requirements

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be or have been a law enforcement officer who is employed (full-time) and is a current or prospective homeowner.

Application Process

For more information about applying for this program, you can visit the government's website.

Update! - If you are a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or teacher, this program may help you purchase a home in a HUD-revitalization area by offering qualified purchasers a 50% discount off the list price of homes available from HUD's inventory. You must agree to live in the home for three years and it must be your sole residence.

General Program Requirements - In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be or have been a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or teacher who is employed (full-time) and is a current or prospective homeowner.

Objectives - To strengthen America's communities by providing homeownership opportunities to law enforcement officers in HUD- designated revitalization areas, and to improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods by their presence.

Types of Assistance - Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods.


Uses and Use Restrictions - Law enforcement officers may purchase HUD-owned single unit properties located in designated revitalization areas at a 50 percent discount off list price. Officers must agree to occupy homes as their sole residence for a period of 3 years. The officer must also agree to execute a second mortgage and note in the name of the Department for an amount equal to the 50 percent discount. This zero interest note will gradually decrease over the 3-year mandatory residence period until it reaches zero. Should the officer leave the home before the 1st anniversary of occupancy, 90 percent of the discounted amount will be due to HUD. Departure before the 2nd anniversary of occupancy will require a 60 percent repayment, and departure before the 3rd anniversary of occupancy will require a 30 percent repayment of the discounted amount. Officers must certify initially, and once annually, for each year of the occupancy term, that he/she continues to own and live in the home as a sole residence, and that no other residential real estate is owned.

Eligibility Requirements - Applicant Eligibility

This program is limited to a specialized group. To be eligible for this program, participants must be law enforcement officers. A law enforcement officer is defined as an individual who is employed full-time by a Federal, State, county, or municipal government or a college or university, and is sworn to uphold, and make arrests for, violations of Federal, State, county, or municipal law. The authority to make arrests must be general arrest power - not simply arrest authority which is confined to a specific building, facility, or group of persons.


Beneficiary Eligibility - Law enforcement officers purchasing a HUD-owned home in a designated revitalization area for use as their residence.
Credentials/Documentation


Application Procedure - Interested law enforcement officers apply by submitting a bid for a property listed through HUD's sale disposition program. Properties for sale are listed on the internet at sites accessible to the general public. Bids are submitted electronically. The bid amount submitted must be displayed list price.

Award Procedure - A winning bid is selected randomly each week. The winning bidder is offered the property at a 50 percent discount off the list price. A document package is mailed to the selected bidder. The bidder accepts by signing and returning the sales documents. The selected bidder receives title to the home at a sales closing. The selected bidder arranges for financing of the purchase price.


Deadlines - Properties eligible for this program are offered exclusively to officers for bidding for five days beginning with the first listing of the property. Unsold homes continue to be available for purchase through the program under modified rules related to the length of time the property is unsold.


Formula and Matching Requirements - The assistance is in the form of a 50 percent reduction in the list price of the home selected for purchase.


Length and Time Phasing of Assistance - The assistance is provided in exchange for the buyer's commitment to occupy the homes as a personal residence for three years. Each year of occupancy results in the forgiveness of one third of the discount value. Early vacation of the premises requires repayment of a pro rata amount of the discount.

Post Assistance Requirements - Reports - The officer purchasing the home must submit an annual certification for each of three years that he or she resides in the home and does not own any other residential real property.

Program Accomplishments - As of April 1, 2003, approximately 7,352 officers have purchases homes under this program in the United States and the District of Columbia, with an estimated value of $367,600,000. Sales in fiscal year 2003 are estimated to be approximately 1,500. Projections for fiscal year 2004 are about the same.

Program information is available on HUD's official website.

There are also related programs for teachers!

For policy questions not covered on the website, you can contact the office division by regular mail, email or by phone (this is not a toll free number).

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!

Need A Grant To Start An Adult Daycare?

Is it possible to get a grant to start an adult daycare service or business?

The answer is yes.

For example in one city, a grant was used to provide start-up money for its area adult day care program. So when more funding money was needed it made sense to look to this grant program again for monies to construct a new facility to provide day treatment for victims in the middle to advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease with a new adult daycare unit. The Adult Day Care division of the City's Department of Senior Services had come to the realization that treatment of middle to advanced Alzheimer' s victims could not take place in a standard geriatric day care setting.

Statistics had shown an alarming escalation of clients afflicted with Alzheimer's disease -- a direct correlation with the national data on this. At present, there are an estimated four million Americans suffering from Alzheimer's. In Rhode Island alone, there are approximately 25,000 Alzheimer's patients. It is estimated that by 2050, 14 million people over the age of 65 will suffer from this disease -- over 75,000 of them in Rhode Island.

The present Adult Day Care facility, which provides services to 55 physically and/or cognitively impaired participants, was not equipped to meet the unique needs of the middle to advanced stage Alzheimer's victim. Therefore, it was necessary to expand our Adult Day Care and construct a satellite unit that would provide services and programs only to participants in the middle to advanced stages of Dementia/Alzheimer's disease.

While the Mayor supported such a facility, he made it clear that the city's financial situation made it impossible for the municipal government to undertake financial support for the construction of the building from such traditional sources as general obligation bonds.

After some discussion about other options, including state supported revenue bonds, the city decided that the most feasible way to build such a facility would be to devote funds from one of its annual entitlement programs. Public facilities are eligible and the use for a limited population -- that is, persons who are handicapped by illness and are over 65 -- enhanced the eligibility. Thus, the city made $600,000 available in two of their funding programs years to create a $1,200,000 pool for the building. Costs were kept down when the state donated a site for the facility. The building was completed in late 1994 on budget and accepted its first clients four months later.

In another innovation, the city assisted in the creation of a private, non-profit company to operate the facility. Through this new facility, comprehensive services and a continuum of care is available to our elder population. This continuum of care will keep individuals with middle to advanced stages of Alzheimer's in the community longer through participation in specialized programming, thus avoiding the high cost and often unnecessary hospitalization or premature nursing home placement.

For more information you can contact the Mayor's office

Although there is not enough adequate funding streams for these programs there is some funding that does currently exist. Presently some of these funding programs cover the cost of the programs if the participant is eligible. However, if they are not covered by these programs then the cost for the individual is about $70 for a 6 hour day. Many families need more than 6 hours of respite care. Many of the 'gap' families find this exorbitant. Then there is the issue of transportation. If the program is covered transportation is usually provided - but not always. Transport is an added expense. Some grants are available but usually only for a limited number of hours.

There are numerous resources available to the community to assist people in searching out assistance. However, these agencies have limited budgets so they are unable to reach the general public through advertising. Hospital social workers and discharge planners usually offer a sheet of resources to discharged patients but too often, the family caregiver is so overwhelmed with their care-giving duties that they never follow up on applying for services. I have on numerous occasions met with families who have stated that they have no idea where to start looking for help. I would dearly like to see a series of articles in local newspapers devoted to listing - free of charge- the services of for profit and non-profit agencies so that families may be more aware. I also think that doctors and their staff need to be more pro-active in advising their patients of services available in the community. Churches and senior social centers could also be more involved in ACTIVELY making these services known.

I do feel that too many people are not aware of what is available because they do not take the time to be aware. For example, I once headed a large non profit organization that provided services to seniors. We advertised in local church bulletins on a weekly basis and yet, there were still people who were regular church goers who would remark that they had no idea we even existed!

I wish you luck on this project. You are providing a much needed service!

Could Your For-Profit Business Use A Government Grant To Help It Become Better?

With all the talk of there being no government grants for for-profit businesses here is yet another one (that will hopefully prove that it is just a myth that there are no government grant programs for a for profit business.

This grant program was put in place to help small businesses conserve energy and help reduce their expenses and energy usage.

So far 48 small businesses across one state will receive $300,000 in grants to incorporate innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.

For example one business will install a $73,000 high-efficiency lighting system that will more than pay for itself within 2 years, and save the company $310,000 over 10 years. The lighting system will cut related electricity consumption by more than 56 percent and will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants by 229 tons.


Although this specific grant program does not pay for the full cost, it will provide a 50-percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption, promote pollution prevention, and increase profitability. Examples include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, motion sensors that shut off lights when rooms are empty, and auxiliary power units that allow long-haul truckers to turn off engines during layovers and still have heat and electricity.


Since the grant program has been launched in July 2004, almost $3.5 million has been awarded through 662 grants across the state. The grants announced today will leverage more than $900,000 in private investments.


This grant program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located within the state. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity that has no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers.


For more information you can visit the state's website. You can also sign up for a weekly newsletter.

Here is a partial listing of grant recipients:

• Restuarant received $5,098 for upgraded kitchen equipment to reduce energy costs through energy conservation.
  
  
  
• Automotive Company received $4,307 for alternate fuel heating system that will burn waste oil.
  
  
  
• Dry Cleaners received $7,500 for a high-efficiency boiler to conserve energy.
  
  
  
• 2 Trucking Companies received $7,5000 each in grant money
  
  
  
• Bridal Boutique received $4,650 for upgraded lighting and new fixtures to conserve energy.
  
  
• Properties Management Company received $7,375 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs.
  
  
  
• Upholstering and Carpeting Company received $6,450 for lighting and insulation upgrades and a waste oil heater that conserves energy through use of an alternative fuel.
  
  
  
• A Dairy Queen received $7,500 for high-efficiency refrigeration equipment to reduce energy costs through energy conservation.
  
  
• Tree Service Company received $7,500 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.
  
  
  
• Recording Company received $7,500 for printing equipment that will reduce waste streams, reduce the environmental impacts of wastes produced, and conserve energy.
  
  
  
• Insurance Company received $1,675 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment to reduce energy costs through conservation.

For more information you can contact the state's Governor's office by phone.

Grant Goes To A For-Profit Private Daycare In My Own State!

Ten grants were awarded and some of the grants went to private child care centers as well to different school districts.

This grant program targets children of working families who earn too much to qualify for other grant programs. Family incomes can be as much as 300 percent of poverty levels. Or a child might be at risk because of a learning disability.

The grants are about $3,900 for half-day classes and $7,900 for full-day for 180 days, so the preschool is free for families.

At one daycare center, the children were sitting at tables coloring Christmas tree cards to send to soldiers overseas have varying degrees of motor skills. Some can already draw letters. Others are in the large scribbling phase.

By the end of the year, many will be writing their names.

Another daycare is located in the basement of a Lutheran Church which is warm and inviting, with colorful posters and decorations that look much like a kindergarten class. The alphabet, in large and small letters, runs around the wall.

The 4-year-olds have a full five-hour schedule: morning library; circle time with the calendar and Pledge of Allegiance and a song; snack, personal hygiene and nutrition; a lesson in math, science or health; individual center play; dance to music; story, lunch, outdoor or indoor play; art, story and discussion.

Much of the fun, or course, is really learning. Children develop social skills, such as how to get along with others; how to share and to sit still and do what their teacher says.

One little girl, Niquela, proudly tells a visitor, "I'm never going to cry here again!"

On the first day of kindergarten, teachers often see children who have never held a crayon. Or who don't know their colors or letters.

That puts them at a disadvantage with other children -- some of whom have attended private preschool and can already read.

And educators know that if children fall behind their peers in kindergarten and first grade, chances are they will never catch up.

So they point to preschool as a good tool to reducing dropout rates.

"If you have successfully created learners by the end of first grade, they will have a very good chance of succeeding in school, meaning they don't drop out and they graduate says one school principal who also coordinates other programs.

The grant award given to the private daycare was $165,000! The center has room for 15 children in half-day and 15 in full-day preschool. The $165,000 grant covers administrative costs, remodeling costs, and salaries for classroom teachers and teachers' aides.

• One school district received a $134,000 grant, which is being used for 34 spots for 4-year-olds. Most are in class at Elementary School. The school district chose to use $28,000 of its grant for a van to pick up and take kids home.

• Another Children's Center (along with two partners) obtained a $438,000 grant for 74 children. There are three classes at the center.

Parental involvement is a big part of the program, as well.

For instance, this month, children are practicing the triangle, letters D, E and F, and numbers 4, 5 and 6. Caden has already pointed out to her that he has a "C" in his name.

The grant recipients have long-standing, federally funded preschool programs because both have high poverty rates.

In addition, the daycare grant recipients are part of 30 school districts in the state involved in a public-private partnership to better train day care workers in the area.

A local organization along with state and foundation money, has funded the program's initiative.

Child care workers encourage parents to help children develop strong language skills by reading stories and encouraging children to talk.

Law enforcement support

Preschool programs get support from some unusual areas, as well.

Law enforcement associations support pre-kindergarten programs because they've seen the studies that show children who participate in early childhood programs are less likely to get into trouble or drop out of school.

Last March, one local county sheriff read to preschool children in the district in support of preschool.

He belongs to a nationwide group made up of more than 3,000 police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors, including about 200 in Pennsylvania.

The sheriff has said, "We can make an investment financially today that is small compared to what the costs could be later. It's pay a penny now or pay a dollar later." His group says the cost savings to taxpayers in preventing one child from going into a life of crime can be over a $1 million.

"Pennsylvania is one of the last states to get on the bandwagon of early childhood education," said another. "We've been more provincial with our farm tradition and many families have wanted to keep children at home."

But preschool is the No. 1 guarantor of success in school.

Do You Need A New Refridgerator?

A client of mine just got their new refridgerator today and because of a program that was provided by their utility company!

This isn't a state program but a national one and like most of the government grant programs out there you have to make sure that you are eligible to apply for this program.

This program is provided for low-incomed people and in this case the client didn't even have to fill out a form. A represenative comes out to inspect the home for areas where improvements can be made to help make their utility bills more reasonable.

In this particular case the refridgerator that was at the home was more than 20 years old so a new one was ordered. The new refridgerator was installed and the old one was taken away - all for free - and all that was required was a signature for the order (which was free).

This kind of grant program was started to help low-incomed people with their utility bills. A new refridgerator that is energy efficient uses a lot less power than one that was installed 20 years ago so that was the reason why the new refridgerator was installed.

Remember that this program was put in place to help people who have a low income to better manage their utility bills and this program is not just limited to providing a new refridgerator! Actually I had a talk with one of the agents of this program and she told me that they really weren't supposed to tell people that they may be eligible for new equipment. I guess that I could see her reasoning because if everybody knew about this program and what it can provide then they would probably have more applicants than they could provide this kind of service for. And it is not just limited to refridgerators. Remember this program was put in place so that people could have a more manageable utility bill so if things like one's heating system is beyond repair then you will most likely get a new heating system. There was even one person that got a new water heater - installation and the water heater itself was free!

Why was this program put in place? It was put in place to help low-incomed people to have a more manageable utility bill.

All provided courtesy of our government (and of course the taxpayer's money!)

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.

Daycare - Grants For Equipment, Etc....

I was just on your website and seen all kinds of great information on Daycare. I am sending in all my paper work to become a Daycare provider in my Michigan home. I have been licensed before but, I didn't realize they have alot of grants for daycare providers. I was told there was one for you to help pay towards the fee's to start one, but michigan cut that out. I am struggling to get one started again and I need more equiptment for outdoor and would like to get a fence put up and an extension put on but no money. Is there a grant that will help me do this? If so how much will it cost to find one and where do I find one? If you can help me out with these questions I would really appreciate it.

D~

If you take a look at page that talks about daycare-related grants you will see some information about grants for just the kinds of things that you mention.

It won't cost you anything to find these grant programs if you locate them yourself. Just take some time and do a little research both online and at your library.

The government grant programs are funding programs that have been made possible because of taxpayer money so the information about the government grant programs has to be made accessible to the public. You can go to the government's official website and you can also find the government publications at the library.

However those grant programs that are provided by outside the government like foundations and organizations will require a bit more research on your part.

Is Your Flood Area Eligible For A Federal Grant From FEMA?

Not Every Area Hit By Floods Will Get Grants?

I was very much surprised by the process that determines whether or not an area will get grant (as opposed to loan) help. For instance, in northern Virginia area residents sustained a lot of flood damage. FEMA denied them disaster assistance. Instead the SBA will spearhead a loan program for qualified residents at a lower interest rate. Number one I don't understand why its the SBA and not another agency that is handling this since it was always my thought that the SBA had to do with businesses and not personal residences. Number 2 I would love to know the reason why disaster assistance was denied for this particular area/region.

Of course when the residents heard of FEMA's decision they were outraged and they sent letters to that effect. It can take a lot of weeks before a decision is made as to whether or not an affected area will get disaster relief from FEMA. In the meantime the the residents still have to make a decision as to what they are going to do as far as repairing the damage to their residences. Some of them had no flood insurance which - of course - makes the whole situation worse for them.

So instead of grants, eligible residents can apply for loans at a rate as low as less than 3 percent interest. $200,000.00 is available for structural damage and $40,000.00 is available to replace personal property.

Again, I would love to know the reason why FEMA denied this assistance?

Homeland Security Grants

I guess by now most of you have heard about the "fight against" terrorism. In that regard the government has granted BILLIONS of dollars to "help combat terrorism" in the United States.

Some of this grant money was given to provide surveillance equipment to local governments so that events could be reported (and more importantly be on tape). Many areas have received in excess of a million dollars in federal grant money to install camera equipement to provide better surveillance.

However there is much talk and debate about how useful this will prove to be. For one thing the question comes up of the personel needed to view the many rolls of tape that will be shot. Where is the funding for that going to come from? And while having taped surveillance cameras has proved useful to catch crimes on tape these crimes are not of a "terroristic" nature.

Why there may still be many debates about the effectiveness of using surveillance cameras in the "war against terrorism" the grant money is still forthcoming and is still being made available.

People Who Get Grants Illegally

Here comes a news story out of Texas about a man - a former policeman with a bad record - and how he was able to get a grant to take care of the disabled and mentally ill.

He started a non-profit agency and applied for a $1 Million grant to transform an apartment building into a property where the mentally ill could be housed. Some of the documents that were required to apply for the grant were alledgedly faked documents - but it was enough for him to get the grant approved and be awarded the grant money.

Later it was found that the property had so many code violations but the man only was issued a warning letter and that was all. The police had been called to the property numerous times and inspectors came and did checks for code violations - both of which result in additional taxpayer costs.

The article goes on to state just exactly how this man was able to obtain the grant funding for his "group" home - from the way he started his non-profit organization up to him applying for and getting the government grant funding. Basically he received a set amount of dollars a day to house and feed wards of the state including those that were mentally ill and/or homeless. The man applied for government grant funds so that he could buy properties from owners and use them as boarding homes. The government grant program that awards theses funds was created to address the issue of there not being enough affordable housing for those that were disabled. Reports show that rental units can take up to 90% of a person's social security income so affordable housing was a much sought after need.

While many valid and legitimate non-profit organizations have benefited from this grant program there are still those that "are in it for the money" and aren't in it for the care of other individuals. It seems that all one has to do to be able to get this kind of grant money is to write a "winning" proposal to the grant committee.

Governor Announces New Funding For Pre-K Children!

In my own state of Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell has annonced a new funding program to help pre-k children. The funding amount is over $70 Million Dollars and will go towards helping 3 to 4 year old kids to benefit more from their kindergarden programs.

School districts, nursery schools and daycare centers have all received funding from this program. Private schools that meet the eligibility requirements can also apply for this funding.

Since this funding program is still relatively new, exact amounts of the grant funding have not been announced yet.

Over 20 recipients in over 10 counties have already received this funding!

For more information about this funding program you can visit the governor's website.

There Is Nothing "Quick" About The Government!

Here is a quote from Matthew Lesko:

There isn't much in the government that is quick, or for that matter, much anywhere that is quick, So you best bet would to continue through the non-profit and gov't sources for money. Remember that the state can give to your non-profit for free and surplus property that they intend to auction. Call the secretary of state's office for more info

"I Have No Time To Apply For A Government Grant"

I realize that there are some emergency situations where the time that it takes to get a grant will not be enough time to solve the problem.

But again this goes back to the reason WHY you want the grant.

For instance a lot of people have posted that they are going through problems such as their electricity is going to be shut off and they need a grant right away. First of all the utility companies can't just shut off your power without written warnings to you. Some of them will give you extensions to give you more time to pay your bill. One of the things that you should do is get in contact with your utility company to see what kind of payment arrangements can be worked out to help pay your bill. Some utility companies will also provide you with information about different grant programs that may be able to help you.

You should also get in contact with your nearest social service agency. They help people all the time by providing them with information about grant programs that may be able to help them so this would be the place to go.

Official Government Information

One of the things that you should know about the government grant programs is that these grant programs are funded with taxpayer money - yes the money you pay in taxes! It is also the rule that the government has to make the information about their grant programs "freely accessible to the public". Now that means that the government has both a website and printed copies of their grant program information available at public libraries. I am a constant visitor to the government's website about their grant programs because it is part of my work.

However other people have lamented on how difficult the information is on the government's official website. Have you ever dealt with the government before? If you have then you know that dealing with them is not a smooth or easy process. So why would you expect it to be different as far as the information about their grant programs would go. I mean we are talking about the government here.

There is just no secret about finding these government grant programs. You have to do the work, weed through all the information just to be able to find a grant program that you may be eligible to apply for.

You may ask the question of "why do people bother?" and the answer to that question is that the grant money is free! If you had the choice between taking out a loan or getting a grant - which option would you choose?