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

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

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

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

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

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

There Is Finacial Assistance Available For Victims Of Domestic Abuse!

If you are a survivor of domestic abuse you may be able to apply for grants!

Here is a quote from an online article:

"Survivors can also apply for grants from one foundation that provides grants to shelters and individual survivors. The program has also created a curriculum to teach survivors how to do everything from opening a checking account to repairing bad credit. So far this year the foundation will give out 10 $50,000 in grant monies and in November will begin awarding individual $1,000 Education and Job Training Assistance grants directly to survivors.

If you are a victim of domestic violence here is some information that may help you:

If you're in a dangerous situation and need to flee with nothing but the clothes you're wearing -- do it. Advocates at local shelters will help you (and your kids) get what you need, from prescription refills to birth certificates. But if you can put a plan in place, it is suggested that you call the National Domestic Violence Hotline or look in the blue and white government pages at the front of your phone book for the number of a local shelter. An advocate there will help you decide what to bring.

Most often you'll want your birth certificate, passport, Social Security card, bank or credit card statements, and prescriptions or medical supplies. Your advocate will also explain the intake process (it's different for every shelter), how long you can stay at the shelter, and what programs that particular facility offers (child care, legal advocacy, etc.). If you're able to stockpile extra cash, try to anticipate your financial needs for a month and save for that goal. A shelter will cover basic needs such as food, clothes, hygiene, and a place to sleep.

In 2005, the government reauthorized the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, which funds the investigation and prosecution of crimes against women such as domestic violence and sexual assault. The reauthorization includes increased funding for free legal assistance to victims, stronger federal laws against abusers, new protection and confidentiality laws for women in shelters, and a pledge to spend $3.9 billion protecting women (up from $1.6 billion). State governments are also strengthening laws that protect women and offering services to victims of abuse and sexual assault.

In 1999, California made it illegal for employers to fire an employee for being a victim of domestic violence or for missing work to testify in criminal court -- and other states (like Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, and North Carolina) have passed similar laws. California also pays unemployment to victims who must quit work when relocating to escape abuse. In New York, children can no longer be removed from their abused mother's care simply because she's a victim or because the child witnessed domestic violence.

Did you know that there is an organization that raises money for women with breast cancer? This financial assistance program is for women who often don't have insurance, who are too ill to work and / or don't have money for basic necessities such as food and housing. The organization provides cash grants to survivors through an emergency fund. A number of women have said that the grants were lifesavers at a time when they had nowhere else to turn. This organization also funds breast cancer organizations that provide food, clothing, transportation, homeopathic care and other services.

Government Grant Website

As you know our government has an official government grants website. There is access to over 20 federal grant-making agencies through an E-Government initiative - which basically means that the government is trying to make it easier for you to find out information about their grant program by using the internet and by having the information about their grant programs available online. Today, the site is a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion dollars in annual awards!

The government website states that it is still the one place to find all available federal grant opportunities. All opportunities posted on the site will include specific application instructions and there are instructions for submitting applications outside of the website as well. The site is full of information from steps to applying for a grant, grant eligibility, downloading a grant application packages, grant search, and program status, grant email alerts and tracking of a grant application.


However there seems to be a "glitch" in the system! This week it was announced that a “systemic weaknesses” that requires attention. A study found that the system performance and service of applicants caused late grant submissions. In addition, the study also found that grant-making agencies whose donations support the site didn’t pay in a timely manner, negatively affecting system performance. Steps have been taken to alleviate the system strain and quickly increase the system's capacity. However, because of this, select programs may use alternate systems to process grant applications.

According to an online article:

Grants can be for any use or purpose one chooses and there are 26 federal grant-making agencies to choose from on the website. A user does not have to register with the government's office grant program website to search for government grant programs but will need to register to apply. The registration process takes 3-5 business days and now may take longer due to submissions issues with the technology.

Need Help Purchasing A Home?

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.

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.

Application Process - For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.

Program Contact Information - To obtain a FHA-insured mortgage, look in your local Yellow Pages under "Mortgages" or contact a FHA-approved lender or you can visit the government HUD website.

The Managing Agency for this program is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The objective of this program is 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 Available - 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.

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).

Latest Government Grant Program For National Non-Profit Organizations- $5 Million Dollars!

* Please note that Monday is President's Day and most government offices will be closed!

For more than a decade organizations have worked to mobilize new generations of engaged citizens. In 2008, more than 3.8 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds will work through Corporation-supported programs to help thousands of national and community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies to meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other critical areas. The Corporation anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement for approximately $5,000,000 to a national organization to develop and execute a plan to support and build the capacity of local Volunteer Connector Organizations. These organizations connect individuals with volunteer opportunities and support organizations and professional volunteer coordinators in effectively using those volunteers to create meaningful change in local communities. Activities that will be funded through this competition include, among other activities, those previously supported through a partnership grant. As part of the Corporation’s fiscal year 2008 budget Congress allocated funds under Subtitle H of Title 1 of the NCSA to support such activities undertaken by an organization through a competitively awarded grant. The Corporation is looking forward to establishing a strong partnership with an organization committed to advancing the volunteer sector through dynamic leadership and high-quality programming. Additional grant competitions to support youth programming and better linking of schools to community resources will be announced later in FY 2008.

The successful applicant will, in conjunction with the Corporation, provide financial resources, training, and other assistance to local affiliates/organizations that match individuals with appropriate service opportunities. The applicant will train professional volunteer managers and other nonprofits to deepen the engagement and increase the effectiveness of their volunteers. The Corporation anticipates that the successful applicant will propose a plan, subject to the Corporation’s approval, that allows up to approximately 50 percent of funds provided under this agreement to be distributed on an annual basis to such local organizations through a subgrant process. The Corporation expects to work in close collaboration with the successful applicant to:

• Provide grants to local Volunteer Connector Organizations for operating support, capacity building, and special projects
  
  
• Deliver training and technical assistance to Volunteer Connector and other local organizations (including other Corporation grantees) in such areas as volunteer management, volunteer retention, and local partnership development with an emphasis on distance learning and other cost-effective methods for delivering training and technical assistance
  
  
• Collaborate with other organizations in the sector to streamline and consolidate on-line resources related to volunteer management and national service
  
  
• Develop outreach strategies and conduct a national campaign to get more Americans to volunteer. Strategies should complement the Corporation’s Strategic Plan in areas such as encouraging Baby Boomers to serve, engaging more at-risk youth and students in service, and mentoring more at-risk youth
  
  
• Convene and co-design a national conference on volunteerism and service and other national meetings to provide training, inspiration, and networking opportunities for individuals and organizations engaged in community service and volunteerism
  
  
• Provide sector-wide leadership for development and marketing of web-based technologies that encourage creative, efficient electronic means to match volunteers with opportunities and organize service projects
  
  
• Build private sector support for volunteering, including the development and promotion of corporate employee volunteer programs and convening and supporting an advisory council of for-profit corporations committed to advancing volunteerism and effecting change in the communities across the nation.

Applicants should propose a three-year plan that is compatible with the Corporation’s strategic interests in the area of generating and managing volunteers.

Current Deadline Date(s) - Please submit an e-mail stating your intent to apply via email by February 20, 2008 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 10, 2008.

Applications submitted by hard copy or fax will not be accepted.

Applications can be submitted by email.

You can find out more information about this grant program by visiting the government's official website.

Government Grant Program To Help With Gang Research And Programs

More specific information about this government grant programs is available as a downloadable .pdf file!

---

The U.S. Department of Justice provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. NIJ is soliciting applications for research and evaluation projects that advance the understanding and practice of gang prevention, intervention, and enforcement. At the group level, gangs vary from small local “crews” that are active for only a short period, to multigenerational gangs with local subgroups across multiple States or nations. Gangs also vary widely in terms of organizational sophistication. Across these group-level variations, gang membership continues to be one of the strongest independent predictors of serious offending at the individual level. Yet policymakers, practitioners, and researchers continue to grapple with fundamental questions about how best to prevent the onset of gang membership, assist gang-involved individuals who wish to leave the gang lifestyle, and generate lasting reductions in gang activity through enforcement or a combination of antigang strategies. Given the ongoing challenges that gangs present to States and localities across the Nation, it is especially important to provide practical knowledge to support improved antigang efforts.

All applications are due by February 20, 2008 - 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time

Consistent with President George W. Bush's Executive Order #13279 and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, it is the policy of the Department of Justice that faith-based and other community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under certain grant programs are invited and encouraged to apply for assistance awards to fund eligible grant activities. Faith based and other community organizations will be considered for awards on the same basis as other eligible applicants and, if they receive assistance awards will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be discriminated for or against on the basis of its religious character or affiliation religious name, or the religious composition of its board of directors or persons working in the organization.

Faith-based organizations receiving assistance awards retain their independence and do not lose or have to modify their religious identity (for example, removing religious symbols) to receive assistance awards. Grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any inherently religious activity, such as prayer or worship. Inherently religious activity is permissible, although it cannot occur during an activity funded with grant funds; rather, such religious activity must be separate in time or place from the funded program. Further, participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be voluntary.

If your organization is a faith-based organization that makes hiring decisions on the basis of religious belief, it may be entitled to receive Federal funds and yet maintain that hiring practice, even if the law creating the funding program contains a general ban on religious discrimination in employments. You can find out more information about this by visiting the government's website.

Cost of proposed Work - It is anticipated that up to $1,000,000 may become available for awards made through this grant program solicitation. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or addition requirements that may be imposed by law. This grant program expects to make up to one to four awards depending on the funding available. If you propose a project that exceeds the amount of money that may be available for awards under this grant program it is recommended that you divide the project into phases, stages, or tasks so that a consideration can be made to making an award for a specific portion of the work. The grant program cannot guarantee that subsequent phases, stages, or tasks will be funded. Such additional funding depends on the grant program's resources and your satisfactory completion of each phase, stage, or task.

Do You Have A Great Idea To Help Make The World A Better Place? - You Just Might Get A Grant For It!

This grant program was started as a direct response to research showing that many people feel disconnected from public leaders and institutions and don't believe they have the power to make a lasting difference in their community. Research done by the grant's organization suggests that if people are actually going to get engaged and stay engaged in their communities, one thing has to happen first -- they must be given more chances to connect with one another (including those they might disagree with) and figure out how they can work together for the common good.


Who Can Apply

The grant program is looking for passionate individuals, or individuals working with small, local organizations or groups, who reside in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, to submit an idea for one of these same locations (no international projects). Applicants must be 14 years of age or older.


What You Get

Twenty finalists will receive a $10,000 grant to help make their idea a reality. The final four will get an additional $25,000 grant -- for a total of $35,000. Everyone who applies will receive additional tools to help them share their idea with others and raise funds online.

The top 100 finalists will get $100 from the foundation to jump-start their idea.


How It Works

This new grant program is part of an exciting trend--a "citizen-centered" approach to making the world a better place that is more open and more inclusive. That's why, from developing the grant guidelines to voting on the final grant recipients, this grant program has been and will continue to involve the public in nearly every aspect of the program.

• A group of people from diverse backgrounds and communities will review all the applications and select the top 100 semifinalists. These 100 semifinalists will then be invited to pitch their ideas as a full proposal.
  
  
• A smaller group of reviewers will then choose the Top 20 finalists, with each finalist receiving a grant of $10,000.

This grant program recognizes that improving communities takes ongoing commitment and persistent action from the people who live in them. That's why they will provide funds to individuals, and individuals working with small organizations and groups, who join together to imagine and implement innovative ideas and solutions that lay the groundwork for long-term social change. This grant program was put in place to lift up these efforts to show that they're not happening in isolation, but are part of a growing movement that can, and will, transform our communities.

This grant program wants a range of ideas and that is why they are keeping it broad. But they do have the following guidelines for how they will choose grant recipients.

If you are applying for this grant then your application should show that you do the following:

• Address a need or cause your community thinks is important (meaning anything from your neighborhood, city or town, a particular group, or an online network);
  
  
  
• Join forces with others in your community to discuss common issues, and form solutions and take action together;
  
  
  
• Encourage people from different backgrounds and viewpoints to get involved
  
  
• Plan for the long-term by laying the groundwork for ongoing public spaces in your community
  
  
• Reflect the values of citizen-centered change
  
  
• Demonstrate that you've thought through your ideas.

This grant program wants to emphasize the fact that they are looking for individuals with good ideas. They are not concerned with whether or not you have written a grant proposal before they are more interested in getting great ideas submitted to them. They care more about what you have to say than how you say it. So they want you to forget the big words and fancy format, and feel free to "get real" with them.

What they are re NOT Looking for

The following will not be considered for grant awards

• Solo acts -- This grant program is looking for people who spark ideas, but who aren't running the show on their own. This is all about people and passionate teams coming together as equal partners, sharing leadership in the process.
  
  
  
• Ideas, campaigns, or efforts that are "decided on" by one person or organization, as opposed to a group decision process involving people of many types and backgrounds.
  
  
  
• Ideas that represent a political view or other type of belief that excludes some groups of people.
  
  
  
• Efforts that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
  
  
• Projects that are created and organized by and for professional staff.
  
  
  
• Lobbying or election campaign activities
  
  
• Projects that focus solely on training or educating on a predefined issue or agenda.

Grant funds at the $10,000 and $25,000 levels are to be used to implement the idea outlined in the application and full proposal. This is not a prize for good works already done, but fuel to help move a great idea forward. Grant funds will be paid out over the course of one year in a schedule to be determined by the grant program's foundation. Grant recipients at this level must also submit reports to the foundation during the project year. Content and timeline for the reports will be decided before grant distribution, and will be required to meet the terms of the foundation's grant Agreement.

(You can visit their website to see an example of a completed application)

The information below should help you figure out if your ideas or projects are in line with the type of "citizen-centered" approaches we're looking to fund.

Citizen-centered approaches DO:

• Focus primarily on lasting change, rather than short-term outcomes, issues, or victories
  
  
  
• Create opportunities for people to form and promote their own decisions
  
  
  
• Make every effort to reach out to and include a cross section of the entire community
  
  
  
• Bring people together around the issues, rather than working separately without communication or common goals
  
  
  
• Recognize the need for politics and volunteer service, not one or the other
  
  
  
• Emphasize doing, not just talking

Citizen-centered approaches DO NOT:

• Structure themselves or function solely on the leadership or direction of outside experts, professionals, organizations, or those outside the community
  
  
• Ask people to simply "plug in" and participate, rather than create and run the program themselves
  
  
  
• Try to talk anyone into a particular view or position
  
  
  
• Associate with a campaign, election, or political party
  
  
  
• Mean to replace politics or other democratic processes
  
  
• Focus solely on training or educating on a predefined issue or agenda
  
  
• Exclude or discriminate

How to Apply

All applications must be sent through the foundation's online application process. No applications will be accepted through the mail, fax, or as an e-mail attachment. Applications sent by mail will not be considered and will be returned to sender. You can visit the foundation's website to search for a listing of public computer labs in your community.

Here's how it works:

1. Apply. This is your chance to briefly describe your idea in a few paragraphs or less -- so be sure to get to the point. The foundation's online form is easy:
   
   
2. Getting to 100. The foundation has gathered a group of people from diverse backgrounds and communities to review and score the applications, each of which will be evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers. These reviewers will choose the best ideas that match the grant program's guidelines and help identify the top 100 semifinalists, who will be invited to submit more detailed proposals for a chance to receive a $10,000 grant. The top 100 semifinalists will each get $100 from the foundation to jump-start their ideas.
   
   
3. 20 Finalists - Once the 100 full proposals are in, each will also be read and scored by a minimum of two reviewers from a smaller panel of judges, which includes the foundation's staff. They will select the top 20 finalists, each of whom will receive grants of $10,000 to help turn their ideas into action.
   
   
4. The Top Four - The fondation will then turn the selection of the top four over to the public. The top four will receive grants of $25,000 in addition to the initial $10,000 grant -- for a total of $35,000 in grant funds.

For more information about this grant program and to see if you are eligible to apply you can visit this foundation's website.

Latest Government Grant Program For Individuals To Apply For!

Just another bit of information to help further dispel the myth that there are no government grant programs out there for individuals to apply for!

Fellowships in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) or poetry are available to exceptionally talented, published creative writers. Fellowships enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. This program operates on a two-year cycle with fellowships in prose available in FY 2008 and fellowships in poetry available in FY 2009. Individuals may apply only once each year. Competition for fellowships is extremely rigorous. Potential applicants should consider carefully whether their work will be competitive at the national level. For FY 2009/Poetry Complete application packages must be postmarked (or show other proof of mailing) no later than March 3, 2008. Do not expect notification of awards and rejections before late December 2008. The Arts Endowment’s support of a fellowship may begin any time between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010, and extend for up to two years. An individual may submit only one application per year.

This grant program does not and will not fund:

• Individuals who previously have received two or more fellowships
  
  
• Individuals who have received any Creative Writing or Translation Fellowship within the ten years prior to the application deadline.
  
  
• News reporting
  
  
• Scholarly writing.
  
  (Writers who are engaged in scholarly work should contact the agency that has a related grant program.)
  
  
• Vanity publication or self-publication
  
  
• Work toward academic degrees

This grant program is open for individuals to apply.

The grant award is $25,000.00

Individuals are encouraged to submit their applications electronically through the federal government’s online application system

For The Poetry Grant Program

Applications will be accepted between January 2, 2008, and March 3, 2008. Do not send applications before January 2, 2008. Complete application packages must be postmarked (or show other proof of mailing) no later than March 3, 2008. Do not expect notification of awards and rejections before late December 2008. The support of a fellowship may begin any time between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010, and extend for up to two years.

Grant Program For Hispanic and Latino Artists

Hispanic and Latino artists will receive an

unrestricted grant

What is that? An unrestrictive grant means that the artist can use their grant award for anything!

Artists at any stage of career development may be nominated. To be considered for fellowships, artists must be:

• 21 years of age or older
  
  
• U.S. citizens or legal residents in any U.S. state.

Artists must have the following:

• Expert artistic skills
  
  
• Received artistic education or training (formal or informal
  
  
• Attempted to derive income from those skills
  
  
• Been actively engaged in creating artwork and presenting it to the public

This grant program supports artists in all career stages, including emerging and mid-career artists, as well as individuals who have achieved master artist status. The grants will be awarded across a broad array of disciplines:

• Architecture and Design
  
  
• Crafts and Traditional Arts
  
  
• Dance
  
  
• Literature (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry)
  
  
• Media (film, media, and radio)
  
  
• Music
  
  
• Theater Arts
  
  
• Visual Arts

Artist Applications

Nominated artists are notified of their nominations and encouraged to apply. Artists are required to fill out a simple online application.

What is the grant award amount of this

unrestrictive

grant award?

$50,000.00!

So, There Are No Government Grants To Help Someone Start A Business Huh?

I don't know who told you that butthey are wrong!

There is currently a grant program that is open for individuals to apply. (It is also open for small businesses to apply for too!) In fact here is an excerpt listing who and what is eligible to apply for this particular grant program:

• City or township governments
  

• County governments
  
  
  

• Individuals!
  
  
  

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  

• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  

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

• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  

• Private institutions of higher education
  

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  

• Small businesses
  

• For profit Organizations other than small businesses
  

• Special district governments
  

• State governments

What kind of grant program is this? Well it gets a little complicated but to make it short this is a grant program for those who are eligible to apply to open a center to help minority owned businesses. One of the requirements is that only certain locations are applicable but you are allowed to take on clients within a "reasonable" distance from the required locations. In fact this particular grant allows for you to have clients who may be a "reasonalbe" distance away but you can still provide them with services via email, fax and other forms of communication.

Another stipulation is that your clients have to be a minority firm with at least $500,000 or more in annual revenues and/or “rapid-growth potential” minority businesses.

Only 3 of these grants will be awarded for the coming year.

The maximum grant award is a little over $300,000!

The deadline to apply for this grant program is January 2008

I want to stress here that you take another look at the list of those that are eligible to apply for this grant. Note specifically that it says that individuals are eligible to apply for this grant!

So the next time someone tells you that the government does not have any grant programs for individuals, please show them this blog entry!

Never Let Anyone Tell You That The Government Doesn't Have Any Grant Programs For For-Profit Businesses - Especially For For-Profit Daycare Business!

Here is an interesting government grant program that I found.....

Who - Department Of Housing And Urban Developement (HUD)

What - Grant Program

When - 2006

Where - Eligible applicants include: not-for- profit institutions, and for-profit firms located in the U.S, state and local governments, Federally-recognized Native Indian Tribes and colleges and universities. For-profit firms are not allowed to make profit from the project

Why - The purpose of this grant program is to develop, demonstrate, and promote cost-effective, preventive measures to correct multiple safety and health hazards in the home environment that produce serious diseases and injuries in children of low-income families.

One of the benefits of this particular grant program is that applicants don't have to provide matching funds.

For the year 2007 over $5 Million Dollars has been allotted for grant funding!

The maximum grant award per recipient is $1 Million Dollars and the average grant award per recipient has been just a bit over $900,000.00.

Past Grant Recipient - received grant to develope a website that enabled parents to view their area to identify possible hazordous materials and equipment and provide solutions for suitable replacements.

You can find out more about this grant program by visiting the Department Of Housing And Urban Development's Website. You can also contact them by phone

* - Please be advised that their phone number is not a toll-free number.

I have sent an email to the director of this program to find out more specific information about this grant program.

Would You Like To Be Awarded One Million Dollars?

It seems that all of those "wishes for a million dollars" are starting to come true! More and more opportunities are presenting themselves for people to receive a million dollars!

Here comes a program where you will be awarded $1 Million Dollars if you can prove that which is "unexplained"! For instance can you prove that ghosts exist? What about the areas of occult or the "supernatural". Do you have test theories? Can you prove your results? If you can then this would be the program for you to apply for.

So far no one has been awarded the million dollars!

Calling All College Students!

Would a $100,000 grant award help you and your team develop a new technology-related project? Do you have a business plan for a project or business to help bring more education and/or awareness to the community?

These are just 2 of the requirements for eligibility that are needed for a grant program that was started last year! Business plans submitted have been funded as part of the early process and all vie for the final grant award of $100,000.

Already one project submitted involves rap music where besides using it as a self-promotion for its own artist, the rap music itself is being used as a teaching tool!

Another project involves the developement of a gaming device that others can use at parties and social gatherings.

Another project partially funded is being developed by a team of college students who want to create a better and less "prejudiced" version of Digg!

The finalists will be given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to executives who may fund their projects!

$500,000 Grant Program For Innovative Ideas!

How's this for a grant program?

This grant program is open to EVERYONE!. That means that you can be an individual, a non-profit, for-profit, business, organization or whatever - you are still eligible to apply! It doesn't even matter where you are located. You can be located outside the US as well as in the US. It's your idea that counts!

This grant program was put in place to help bring good ideas relating to technology and the world. Do you have an idea that will bring new information to the world? Does your idea involve the use of using the internet to bring information to the world? Then you may be eligible to apply for this grant!

To apply for this grant you first have to fill out a form on their website because no applications will be accepted by mail, fax or email. If they like your idea then they will contact you and ask you to submit a more detailed proposal.

The deadline to apply for this grant is in October 2007!

$30,000 Grant For Art Writers

What - Grant Program For Art Writers

Deadline For Applying - September 12, 2007

Grant Award Amount - up to a maximum of $30,000

This grant program which has been around for a while now is for art writers and is designed to support writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through project-based grants issued directly to individual authors.

Approximately 20 awards are awarded each year.

Of particular interest are articles that identify and explore pressing issues in the contemporary visual arts. Also of interest are texts that illuminate the value contemporary art holds for all viewers through its ability to complicate and enrich our understanding of our world and ourselves and to offer a space of freedom from and critical engagement with prevailing norms.

Only online applications will be accepted

Grant Program "Open To All!"

I found a very interesting little grant program. Unfortunately the deadline to apply is July 19th, 2007.

But it is still a very good example fo a government grant program that is open to all! As much as people would like to tell you that there are no government grants for the individual or small business, its the government's very own website that proves them wrong.

This grant program has to do with conservation. Preserving our nation's history and resources is a very big objective of the government. This particular grant program is for the conservation of a particular trail in Colorado. The maximum grant award is $24,000. The grant money can be used to provide a quality trail system, encourage user groups to enjoy recreation areas without destroying natural habitats, and provide education of public trail construction, maintenance, and safety responsibilities.

What this means is that if you have an interest in this particular trail and would like to see it flourish then you can take it upon yourself (or create a group) to help create and maintain interest in this particular area. You can encourage groups to visit the trail, provide education teachings/tours about the trail and conservation in general. You can even do this by creating literature about the trail and conservation in general and you could even set up a website and do the same thing!

Although I would think that those that are more familiar with the area and the trail would get special preference it has recently come to my attention that sometimes just providing a "killer" proposal may get you the funding!

Another very important thing that I want to add about this grant program is that it is open to all! That means an individual can apply, a small business can apply and even a non-profit organization can apply!

Help for daycares affected by Hurricane Katrina

A $5.9 million social services block grant has been awarded to help in-home child-care providers get back in business.

The Department of Human Services grant was issued to the MSU Extension Service School of Human Sciences for its Nurturing Homes Initiative.

The project manager said the money will be used to help 149 child-care providers working out of their homes re-establish services in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"They receive technical assistance, lessons and learning materials," said the project manager. "The spin is they also get a playground, an outdoor learning environment, and a fence if they don't have one."

While the daycares don't seem to actually get money they do get to have equipment that will make their daycare more pleasant to their children.

There are even grant programs for your pets!

We all love our pets! And if we don't then there is probably something wrong with us!

Many times I have talked about there being grants to help people who need emergency funding and you can now add pets to that list!

While animal shelters and individual pet owners sometimes have trouble paying for the cost of animal care, there are organizations out there dedicated to helping care for one's pet. It's not just our own medical emergencies that can come up there is also the emergencies that come up when our pets get sick. (And I include myself because I am a pet owner)

Some of these organizations even provide financial help to those who help to rescue and/or take care of stray animals! Many of these same organizations work in conjunction with area veterinarians and local animal clinics. So if your pet gets sick or needs emergency medical care you should find out from these animal clinics and animal hospitals whether or not they are aware of any of the programs that help provide financial assistance to those pet owners who need it.

Grants For Farmers!

Did you know that there is a $10,000 grant program for farmers? This grant program was put in place to help showcase the farmers who care about their land. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2007 and more information can be had by going to their website

Here is another example of a grant program that goes to the individual and not a non-profit organization.

It is also another great example of a grant program that was put in place to bring a greater awareness to something - that something being the american farmer and their struggles.

This is also a very good example of a grant program NOT sponsored by the government. This grant program is courtesy of a private organization.

Daycare Grants - How's THIS for ironic?

Do you know that there is a grant program in one state where eligible students can receive grant funding to help put their children in daycare? Did you also know that the director of the organization said that it was difficult trying to find the young parents who need the daycare grants? And if that don't beat all how about this - Did you know that the daycares that the young parents choose for the grant funding don't even have to be licensed daycares!!!! However starting in 2008 all the daycares eligible for this funding will have to be licensed daycares

Just like the majority of grant programs out there eligible students (you can be a part-time student) must apply for these grants. Applications will be accepted until September of this year ('07).

I find the dilemma of the director of this program quite interesting. Putting up a few flyers would definitely guarentee that enough people who would be interested in this program would contact them to find out if they were eligible to apply for this grant program.

Also too I have heard comments from others saying that while the government does have grant programs they either don't advertise them or don't have the money to advertise them - something else which I find strange but then again because its the government I don't find it strange at all.

Because of the work that I do I am begining to find that information about grant programs can be had almost anywhere. I remember a conversation with a neighbor and the subject of grants came up. He was talking about how one of the non-profit organization in my area has a woman who is very good at getting grant funding for that organization. Another woman in my area got a grant to write a book about the area. I have listened to radio shows (mostly local) that talk about grant programs and I have found articles in the newspapers about grant programs - both local and federal. It's not just the Internet and the library that are sources of grant information - I found that out very pleasantly!