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.

An Art Competition For High School Students.

*Please note that while this is not a grant program for artists it is a chance for artist to show off their artistic skills and have their works viewed by the public!

Art Competition

Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate sponsor an Art Competition for high school students around the country. This competition proves to be an excellent example of the important role the arts play in American society, in addition to giving students the opportunity to show their artistic skill. To enter, students must submit their artwork through their high school. Winners of the competition will have their artwork displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. One winner is chosen from each congressional district. For further information, you should contact your local district office!

If you’re an American citizen or resident, you are entitled to free grant money ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 or more. If you are African American you have already qualified for more than 10 programs, being Hispanic, you qualify for many programs. Being a Christian will get you into 20 programs, there are also many other programs available for different faiths, Jewish, Catholic. Not having any money, will get you into over 30 programs, there are over 500 programs if you are unemployed, or underemployed. The personal grants list and sources are virtually endless.

Do You Want To Start A Small Business Of Your Own But Have Bad Credit?

If you want to start a small business but are not able to do so due to lack of finances, go for bad credit small business startup loans. With the help of bad credit small business startup loans you can start your own small business. Bad credit small business startup loans are basically of two types secured and unsecured.

ABOUT BAD CREDIT SMALL BUSINESS STARTUP LOANS

Bad credit small business startup loans are for those people who are suffering from bad credit status and want to start their own small business. A person can be tagged as a bad creditor due to various reasons like arrears, defaults, IVA, CCJ, bankruptcy, late payments etc. Bad credit small business startup loans can be availed by all such persons. Bad credit small business startup loans are basically of two types, secured and unsecured. To avail a secured bad credit small business startup loan you’ll have to place one of your properties as collateral against the loan amount. This can be any of your personal properties like home, car, bank balance or can be your commercial property. On the other hand you don’t have to place any security to avail an unsecured small business startup loan, but the interest rate is slightly higher compared to secured loan.

With secured bad credit small business startup loans you can avail an amount ranging from £3000- £75000, with repayment duration ranging from 3 – 25 years. While with unsecured bad credit small business startup loans you can avail an amount ranging from £1000- £10000 for a period of 1 – 10 years. The interest rate of bad credit small business startup loans is slightly higher because they are advanced to bad creditors, but with good research you can find a lender with reasonable interest rate.

Bad credit small business startup loans are very beneficial for people who are suffering for bad credit status. With bad credit business startup loans you can start your own business and regain your position in the market. Also by regular payment of loan installments you can increase you credit score. Bad credit small business startup loans offer flexible repayment options. If you want to avail a small amount under £10000, you can opt for unsecured bad credit small business loan. On the other hand if you need an amount more than £10000, go for the secured way.

You can apply for bad credit small business startup loans by visiting banks, financial institutions, lending firms personally or you can apply online also. To apply via Internet you just have to fill up an online application form giving details like the loan amount you wan to avail, period of loan etc. Applying online is hassle free, consumes less time and requires less paperwork.

Government Grant Program For Inventors!

*Please note that while this particular grant program is open to all to apply, this grant program should be of particular interest to inventors and those who deal with computer technologies

The deadline to apply for this grant is May 12, 2007!

There is no funding minimum or ceiling which I am assuming to mean that applicants can request a funding amount!

There is no cost sharing or matching requirement required!

This government grant program seeks white papers for efforts that shall develop and demonstrate technologies for the next generation components and systems in Electronic Warfare. Although white papers addressing any truly innovative idea will be considered, the primary emphasis is on technologies to Detect and Defeat Imaging Infrared and Multi-Mode Threats.

Proposed efforts should focus on development of technology and techniques to detect and/or counter advanced threat tracking systems, missiles, and other Precision Guided Munitions that:

• Employ imaging sensors operating in the infrared spectral bands (with emphasis on the atmospheric transmission bands at roughly 1-2, 3-5, and 8-12 micrometers) designed to passively track targets, guide weapons, and negate the effectiveness of infrared countermeasures that have limited spectral or spatial fidelity to the target signature
  
  
• Employ multiple passive and/or active modes of tracking and guidance (electro-optical imaging, infrared seeking, laser spot/beam tracking, radar homing, active radar emitting, radio frequency command guidance, etc.) that can operate sequentially or simultaneously during weapon engagement to negate the effectiveness of single-mode countermeasures.

For more information about this grant program you can contact them via phone.

Are You A Minority Student Interested In Computers? Our government has started a grant program that aims to significantly increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents receiving post secondary degrees in the computing disciplines, with an emphasis on students from communities with longstanding under-representation in computing. Those underrepresented groups are women, persons with disabilities, African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. This program seeks to engage the computing community to develop and implement innovative methods, frameworks, and strategies to improve recruitment and retention of these students through undergraduate and graduate degrees. Projects that target stages of the academic pipeline from middle school through the early faculty ranks are welcome and there is a special emphasis on providing a national impact as far as application requests are concerned. (This means that your proposal / application must provide for having a national impact on society and increasing the number of those who have chosen a computer/computing-based career) That is, they should either develop an effective practice that could be widely deployed or they should deploy existing effective practices so as to reach larger audiences. The program will support three categories of awards: Alliance and Alliance Extension Projects are broad coalitions of academic institutions of higher learning, secondary (and possibly middle) schools, government, industry, professional societies, and other not-for-profit organizations that design and carry out comprehensive programs addressing underrepresentation in the computing disciplines. They have a large regional or national scope. Typically, Alliances operate across multiple stages of the academic pipeline and address multiple targeted groups. Together, Alliance participants develop and implement interventions that support students and early career faculty create sustainable changes in culture and practices at the institutional, departmental, and organizational levels serve as models and contribute to repositories for effective practices to broaden participation and leverage the work of existing efforts and other Alliances. Competitive projects will have significant impact both in the quality of opportunities afforded to participants and in the number of participants potentially served. Successful Alliances are eligible to compete for additional funding! Demonstration Projects are more focused than Alliance projects. Typical Demonstration Projects pilot innovative programs that, once fully developed, could be incorporated into the activities of an Alliance or otherwise scaled for widespread impact. Projects might, for example, be proposed by a single institution or might focus on a single underrepresented community, a single point in the academic pipeline, or a single impediment to full participation in computing. Leveraging, Scaling or Adapting Projects are intended to extend the impact of our most effective practices through leveraging, scaling and/or adaptation. Typical projects will use existing organizational structures and demonstrated best practices. For example, copy and adapt a successful regional Alliance infrastructure for a new region, combine and leverage the work of two or more Alliances, adapt an effective intervention for a different audience, or take an effective intervention and implement it across an Alliance or other organization with a broad reach. This grant program is open to ALL to apply and that includes individuals as well as for-profit businesses! 16 of these grants are estimated to be awarded! Maximum individual grant award is $2 Million Dollars! Deadline to apply is May 13, 2009!

Grant Program For Breast Cancer Research!

Here is a government grant program that is open to ALL apply! This means that this grant program has an unrestricted eligibility requirement - however it is subject to any clarification in the field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

This grant program was started to promote new ideas that are still in the early stages of development and have the potential to yield highly impactful data and new avenues of investigation. This grant awards program supports conceptually innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate the eradication of breast cancer.

Research projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale. The grant program seeks applications from all areas of basic, translational, clinical, behavioral, and epidemiological research. Innovation and Impact are the most important aspects of this grant program. Here is a more specific explanation:

• Innovation - Research deemed innovative may introduce a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other uniquely creative qualities.
  
  
• Impact - Research that has high potential impact may significantly accelerate the eradication of breast cancer. It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly and explicitly articulate the project’s innovation and its potential impact on breast cancer.

The sponsors of this grant award encourages applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations between two primary entities but please note that each of the co-entities will have different submission requirements. However, both should contribute to the preparation of a single application. The collaborative partners may have expertise in similar or disparate scientific disciplines but are expected to bring different strengths to the application. New collaborations are encouraged, but not required. The program is designed to support collaborations on completely new research ideas; therefore, merely continuing an existing or previous collaborative research project between the two partners is not considered innovative and does not meet the intent of this grant program.

It is the responsibility of the partners to describe how their combined expertise in the collaboration will better address the research question and explain why the work should be done together rather than through separate efforts.

Over 50 grants will be awarded from this grant program and the total amount of funding dollars for this grant program is over $40 Million Dollars!

There is no "cost-sharing" or "matching requirement" required which means that you will not have had to have secured funding BEFORE you can apply for this grant program.

The deadline to apply for this grant program is April 8, 2009!

If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement via their website then you can contact them via phone or you can also send them an email!

Grant Program For Conservation! Grant Applicants / Applications MUST address one of the following environmental concerns: Water Resources Soil Resources Atmosphere Resources Grazing Lands Energy Wildlife Habitat. This grant funding program is open to all to apply and this includes individuals as well as small for-profit businesses! 5 Grants will be awarded and the maximum individual grant amount is $75,000! And there is a cost-sharing / matching requirement required! The deadline to apply for this grant program is May 4, 2009! You can link to their website and download their .pdf file for a full explanation of this specific grant program. You can also contact them by email or by phone.

Funding Program For New And Existing Daycare Providers!

In one state there is a scholarship and compensation opportunity for center-based and family child care home providers. The program links education, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early childhood care and education programs for young children.

This funding program works with new providers who are just starting out as well as existing providers who need information, training, or other assistance. This program also provides inclusion services for providers who wish to learn more about caring for children with special needs and you can find out more information about this by visiting their website. You can also request to receive a copy of their brochure for child care providers by contacting them via email. For information on the state's licensing and regulations you can contact their offices or visit the Department of Health and Senior Service's website also.

Keeping Warm! There is a national program for the elderly, blind and/or disabled to help assist eligible, payment-troubled customers who are at least 62 years of age, blind or disabled. Program features include a lower monthly gas rate, debt forgiveness, emergency heating equipment repair or replacement, and conservation measures depending upon individual circumstances. For more information about this program you can visit their website

Grants Don't Always Come In The Form Of Actual Cash!

For instance in one state, homeowners are eligible for a $300 property tax rebate. However they won't get that tax rebate in the form of actual cash! Instead they will receive it as a tax credit on their property tax bill. Now while $300 may not seem like much as far as reducing one's property tax bill it may make all the difference to those who need that much needed financial help to help them be able to better be able to afford to pay their property tax bills.

As you know in some areas, failure to pay one's property tax bill will result in the property being foreclosed on. So any thing that can financially help one to lower their property tax bill - I'm sure - will be highly welcomed!

Here is a note:

An interesting side note about this particular property tax "grant" program is that according to the wording of this program, this grant doesn't have to be funded if the jurisdiction is not prosperous! In other words if the locality is suffering financially then they don't have to fund this particular grant program! Of corse it is at the jurisdiction's discretion as to whether or not they are considered prosperous in any given year!

How's THAT for irony!

$10,000 Grant Program For Education! There is a state grant program by the Verizon Foundation inviting state public schools to apply for financial grants! Only online applications will be accepted and applications are provided from their website in .pdf format! Accepted proposals include: programs to improve English, math or science skills programs to improve student literacy programs to help decrease school dropout rate programs to help improve graduation rates Application Deadline is April 6, 2009! The grant award can be used for the following: stipends for teachers who work out of school time fees for substitute teachers supplies and support materials hardware or software (*some restrictions apply) training travel and lodging Grant recipients are scheduled to be announced in May 2009

Receive Money To Relocate!

Here is a program that offers families as much as $50,000 to relocate to another city so that they can involved with that city's only synagogue.

Fearing that the city's congregation would dwindle and die, this program was started last year and its goal is to bring as many as 19 more Jewish families over the next five years. Worried about what the future might hold, one of the congregation members put up money to begin the program to attract as many as 20 new Jewish families. Ads in Jewish newspapers were taken out to help spread the word.

So far, about 400 families have since applied and 60 of them were qualified after their initial screening. Finalists go through a vetting process that includes written references -- including one from their rabbi -- home visits, checks for criminal and financial problems, and interviews.

In return for resettling and being active with the congregation for at least five years, families are reimbursed as much as $50,000 to cover items including moving expenses, housing, outstanding debt, education, temple dues and seed money for a small business. The fund will also pay the first year of temple dues for the family and, eventually, help with a down payment on a permanent home.


One of the families that has taken advantage of this program didn't receive the full $50,000 amount but they could receive as much as $30,000 to help pay off debts and reimburse them for resettlement expenses, including rent and furniture for the house where they are living now.

Grants! - President Barack Obama's Stimulus Package Plan Includes: $1,000,000,000 for low income home energy assistance $2,000,000,000 for childcare and block grants *Please see my Grant Basics 101 - Daycare Blog for more information about daycare-related grant programs! $16,126,000,000 for student financial aid $3,000,000,000 grants to airports $500mil Native American housing block grants $1,500,000,000 for homeless assistance grants If you would like a complete listing of the stimulus package programs then please look at the Ebook offers on the left side of this blog!

Does Your Church's

Organization Need Money

For Their Youth

Program?

The purpose of this grant program is to increase the number of gifted young people considering ordained ministry as a profession because studies have shown that fewer than 7 percent of clergy serving most denominations at this time are under age 35.

So far, nine of these grants have been awarded to eight congregations representing four different denominations and one federation of Asian-American congregations. One of these congregations was a Presbyterian congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina!

Daycare Start-Up Grant Applications Being Accepted! One state's Department of Social Services has issued a Request for Application for the start up of new or the expansion of existing child care facilities for children ages birth through 24 months. Applications for this grant has been accepted in previous years March 30, until May 7 of the same year. However you can use this printable version application as a worksheet to prepare for future applications. You can watch the department's web site for future grant applications in the early spring. You can also be added to their notification list for their next child care grant by e-mailing your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address to their own email address.

Rose
Grant Basics 101 Daycare Blog

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.

My Grant Basics 101 Podcast!

I have just started my own Grant Basics 101 Podcast!

It's just in its beginning stages!

If you take a look on the left side of this blog you will see the widget for the podcast. You can also go to the podcast page by clicking here.

Like I posted above this podcast is in it's beginning stages but there is already one caller who called asking about possible grants for their for-profit daycare business and I gave my reply to them.

I hope to be adding more content to the podcast very soon!

Home Owners In Louisiana May Be Eligible For Cash Grants! This money is from a government program that was put in place to bring insurance companies to the state. (No doubt this has to do with the effects of hurricane Katrina and all the home insurance problems stemming from that). This is UNUSED money from one of the expired 2007 government grant programs! The funding was originally set up as a matching grants program for private insurance companies that agreed to begin writing policies in the nearby coastal areas. It was targeted for improving a homeowners' access to private insurance after the 2005 hurricanes, and to reduce the number of policies written by the state's insurer. The insurance department issued $29 million in grants, and state law says the remaining money should be divvied up and given to holders of homeowners policies.

$2 Million in Grants to Help Persons

with Disabilities Stay in Their Own Homes!

This will be a statewide program that adds ramps, chair lifts and other features to homes so low-income seniors and residents with disabilities can continue to live in their communities. The state's Housing Development Authority will allocate the grant money to 14 non-profit organizations and public agencies around the state to administer the program.

New Ruling For Government Contractors - Maybe? The U. S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against a new government ruling that says that businesses must file online if they want to be considered for government contracting work. Originally the ruling was going to take effect on February 15th of this year but since the lawsuit has been filed the date has been moved back. The lawsuit contends the government doesn't have the authority to make E-Verify mandatory for contractors. The online verification process provides an Internet-based means for employers to compare the names and Social Security numbers of newly hired employees against government databases. So far about 100,000 businesses have participated in the program, which is now voluntary. Under a regulation issued Nov. 14, however, companies that receive federal contracts of $100,000 or more must use the online verification process to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires and reconfirm the eligibility of existing employees that are assigned to federal contracts. These requirements also apply to most subcontractors. It is hoped that the delay in the rule's effective date will give the new Obama administration "an opportunity to re-evaluate the efficiency of the policy. You can find out more information about this online.

Basically what this means is that if you are considering becoming a government contractor once you are awarded a federal contract worth more than $100,000 that has a performance term of 120 days or more, or if you have a subcontract worth more than $3,000, you will have 30 days to enroll in the federal contractor online verification program. Enrolling involves signing a non-negotiable Memorandum and registering the individuals who will be using the system.

If you and / or your business are considering becoming a government contractor then I suggest that you take a look at their online user's manual that explains more in detail.. This online manual will help you to get an idea of your options and what it will be like to use the system. The people you select to be “users” of the system will have to register and take the on-line tutorial before you can actually begin using the system.

You might want to register now and begin using the standard online verification system for new hires to give you a chance to get a head start before the deadline. If you are already enrolled in the online verification program as of January 15, 2009, and you have a qualifying contract or subcontract, you will have to modify your enrollment to switch to the federal contractor version. Within 90 days of enrollment as a federal contractor, you will have to begin using the new verification process for all new hires in the U.S. (including people who are not working directly on a federal contract), within three days after the employee begins working for pay.

You will also need to become familiar with some of the rules for avoiding discrimination while using the new online verification process. They are listed in the online user manual.





then (until a final decision is made)

$29 Million Dollar Grant Program To Help Afghan Women

*Please note that the due date of this grant program is January 29, 2009!

This grant program was implemented to help empower Afghanistan women.

While this specific grant program is not to help the women individually it does provide grants for those organizations to provide grants to Afghanistan women!

Because it is now their constitutional right to be provided equal rights for women, they now have an official framework to support their personal and professional development. However, all indicators of women’s status reveal that enforcement of constitutional rights lags far behind enactment. A combination of poverty and deprivation, ill health, illiteracy, discriminatory customary laws, harmful traditional practices, and physical and emotional abuse conspire to keep women at the bottom of society.

To ensure they receive sufficient attention, women’s organizations are needed to advocate on behalf of these women and help mobilize resources, deliver essential services, and implement useful development activities. However, some of these organizations cannot effectively undertake these tasks until they acquire a wide range of new skills—from assessing needs, designing responsive interventions, and implementing programs to managing operations, finances and people, building alliances and networks, planning strategically, and monitoring and evaluating performance—in addition to building capacity in the technical sectors in which they wish to work.

This three-year $26.7 million program is designed to strengthen the capacity of these organizations to contribute to the social, economic, and political development of Afghan women through the provision of financial and technical assistance to support women-specific activities in the following areas:

• Implementing activities that improve the status, safety and well being, human and legal rights, and livelihoods of Afghan women and girls
  
  
• Delivering services that directly address the social, political, and economic needs of Afghan women and girls
  
  
• Undertaking efforts to increase the participation of Afghan women in development as implementers, change agents and beneficiaries
  
  
• Creating or strengthening mechanisms and channels by which Afghan women can access information, network, and take advantage of personal and professional development opportunities.

Applicants will propose approaches to implementing the following Activity Components and indicate how those approaches will help accomplish the Activity Objectives:

1. Awarding sub-grants for technical and organizational capacity building of eligible organizations, including equipment, and for the activities of such organizations
   
   
2. Assessing organizational and technical capacity needs of eligible organizations and developing responsive interventions
   
   
3. Overseeing sub-grant implementation to ensure that in addition to successful implementation of activities, the organization's institutional strengthening and technical capacity building within recipient organizations is achieved
   
   
4. To support the above components, developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan and strategy to generate widespread interest in the sub-grant program among the women’s organizations and to develop and manage an information campaign about the program to inform other stakeholders.

The following link will take prospective applicants who are interested in this high visibility program to the full solicitation. Be sure to click on the link that says "Download Application Instructions.”

Did you know that there is a charitable organization that provides homes for injured veterans? Successful applicants will not even have to pay a mortgage on their free home! They will be provided homes free of ANY mortgage!