Need A Grant To Help Fix Up Your Home?

Government Grant Program Seeking Applications For Grants For Housing Repairs!

There is a government grant program that is NOW accepting applications for grants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. Says the program director, "Housing is a cornerstone of any thriving, stable community. As the Obama administration works to ensure that people remain in their homes, it is more important than ever to make certain their homes are safe, energy efficient, livable dwellings."

These grants are being provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and nonprofit and faith- based organizations. The grants are distributed to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income people. The grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities.

For example, one agency used the grant in 2008 to make accessibility, weatherization and other improvements to a man's home. Included in the repairs was added insulation, weather stripping, seals around doors and windows, an energy-saving shower head and more efficient light bulbs.

Grant award amounts may be provided up to $10 million in competitive grants. Applications are due by the close of business July 10, 2009. Applications may be accessed electronically via the government's website..

The mission of this government grant program is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural sevelopment fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at local government offices or by visiting the website.

Teenage Girls Being Paid Not To Get Pregnant! To help keep young girls in school rather than them getting pregnant, one university is offering a program that will pay them not to get pregnant. As part of the baby-free program, girls attend weekly meetings where they learn about abstinence and contraceptives. At the end of each week, $7 is put into a fund that's off-limits until they go to college. To participate, girls must have never been pregnant, currently attend school, have a desire to go to college, and have a sister that gave birth before age 18. The program is currently at its max capacity of 24 girls. This program, however, is not without controversy! One organization's spokesperson has said, "It's hard to pay people to do something we think they should be doing regardless. It would be like if you didn't want young people to experiment with marijuana, you'd pay them not to do it." *I should note here that there HAS been a government grant program in the past that has involved marijuana before! Rose Others feels that with the costs of teen pregnancies reaching $9 billion annually, "paying teens $365 to stay baby-free seems like a modest investment -- especially if the program works.." Another organization's spokesperson has said, " Some grads of the program have saved upwards of $3,000 for college. We want to give them something to work toward. If someone believes in you, there's no end to what a lot of people can accomplish."

Government Job Opening!

Not only does our government have grant programs they also have job openings! I thought about putting this information on my Working From Home Blog but since it isn't a work from home opportunity, I decided to blog about it here.

There is currently a government job opening for Registered Nurses. There is more than one job vacancy that is open! The salary is $42,290 up to $76,206 and I'm assuming that that is a per year salary. The location is in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area. The job description:

• Rotating Shift Vacancies Staff Nurses - Mental Health, Geriatrics & Extended Care, & Primary Care (rotating shifts)

For more information about this job, just click here

State Grant Program For Women In Business!! A $3000 grant is being made available for women in the following fields: Small business start-up and expansion Community development Continuing education and teacher support Child and elder care Health and human services Arts and culture In order to receive business-related grants, female applicants must be business owners and the primary manager of the company’s day-to-day activities, or associated with a non-profit organization that directly benefits women. This grant program is open to female residents of the state and the application is available online or they can be reached by phone by calling their toll-free number. Priority consideration for funding will be given to applications that: promote the empowerment of women emphasize collaboration between women entrepreneurs or non-profit entities supporting women directly benefit women or low-income and underserved populations support endeavors that immediately benefit communities in which the program's sponsor(s) have a presence for proposals that provide a sound plan for measuring performance and results. Please be advised that applications are due July 31, 2009!. Community peer review panels will select the grant recipients, to be announced in September. Last year’s grant winners included a collaborative project between a media production company and a domestic violence center; a Navajo art and culture program; therapeutic riding facility; quilt-making project for needy kids; refugee daycare facility; health literacy initiative; and an astronomy education project. This grant program was started to help bolster the efforts of everyday women who help strengthen the communities in so many ways through their various talents. It was created as an extension of an ongoing commitment to empower women in achieving financial independence.

A $41 Million Scholarship Program!

These scholarships are meant to encourage secondary school students to excel in their lessons and go on to a postsecondary institution. However, to a program that evaluates the efficiency of government programs, students are given no real incentives, as there are no requirements that must be met or set goals to be achieved. Absent of any defined standards, there is no way of knowing whether students who received this aid ever really “qualified” for the “coveted” scholarships. Furthermore, the law of this program does not allow the states to use any funding to determine whether or not the program is succeeding.

According to Harvard’s Office of Government, Community, and Public Affairs, Harvard received $535 million in federal grants in fiscal year 2008 that accounted for 82 percent of Harvard’s research revenue. Under the federal stimulus package, federal grants to Harvard are expected to increase considerably!

Energy efficiency upgrade grants

Grants for energy efficiency upgrades will address repair and renovation projects at state agencies, universities and community colleges that have been identified but not funded. Proposals for additional projects will be sought from public schools and local governments. The funding would cover items that generate significant energy savings, including: retro-commission HVAC controls; steam trap replacement, lighting fixture upgrades; boiler and water heater improvements; lab fume hood retrofits; chiller plant retro-commissioning; summer boiler installation; condensate recovery; heat pump and plumbing upgrades; incandescent exit light and bulb replacement; water saving toilets and shower heads; IT room HVAC renovations; building automation system upgrades; programmable thermostats; thermostatic radiator valves; sink aerators; occupancy sensors; photo/optical sensors; and exterior lighting upgrades to LED. $8 million has been set aside for this grant program.

Teacher receives a $140,000 grant for three years to help students learn more about math by building robots for competition!

Grant Program For Special Crops!

*Please note that the deadline to apply for this grant program is:

June 19, 2009

A new grant program has been announced to help fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. A competitive grant process to award these federal funds has been set up and over $1 Million has been earmarked! The intent is to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to the state's specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent.

Projects that benefit the following specialty crops are eligible; Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops are eligible specialty crops. Funding Priorities for the grant program include, but is not limited to: Research and Extension, Marketing, Food Safety, and Sustainability.

Applications are being sought from organizations that seek to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state including; non-profit organizations and corporations, commodity associations, state and local government entities, colleges, and universities. Applicants must reside or their business or educational affiliation must be in the state.

Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual.

Grant applications must be submitted by 5 pm on June 19, 2009. Please use this link to access the grant application, guidelines, and additional information.

Grant applications with a value of up to $100,000 will be accepted! Grants will be awarded for up to three years. Once all applications are submitted, each one will be carefully reviewed and evaluated based on the criteria listed in these guidelines. All approved projects will then be developed into one grant submission to the USDA. Upon approval from USDA, the organization will notify applicants (sub-grantees) of their status. No final awards to any sub-grantee will be made until a final grant award is made by the USDA. Final approval is expected by September 30, 2009, but is subject to change.

For questions or additional information contact via snail mail address or email

How Would You Like To Have $25,000 To Start A Business Of Your Own? Finalists for a small business grant have been named! So far 50 finalists have been chosen for this year's competition! Each finalist will receive a $5,000 business grant, plus additional products and services! Judges selected the finalists from more than 1,900 submissions. The finalists hail from 43 cities in 23 states, coast to coast, and range from architects and accountants to restaurateurs and retailers. In addition, videos submitted will also be evaluated. Selection of the grand prize and runner-up winners will be based on quality, creativity and ratings from the public. The public opinion will account for 40 percent of the overall score and is based on whether the videos are inspiring, useful or funny. The general manager of this group has said, "These finalists truly reflect the can-do spirit of small business and America's entrepreneurs. It was tough for the judges to narrow the list from the nearly 2,000 entries we received. We appreciate all of the businesses that entered the competition, for sharing their stories of inspiration and aspiration, and bringing the small business community together over the past few months." For more information about this program and for more information on the finalists you can visit their website to find out more.

Grant Program For Farmers

(Yes, ANOTHER one!)

Please note that this specific grant program is a 50/50 matching grant program for farmers and ranchers.

This grant program was started because it helps fund planning and working capital to get new ideas off the ground and put more profit in the pockets of family farmers and ranchers.

This is a competitive grants program administered at the USDA to help producers move into value-added agricultural enterprises. Authorized in the 2002 farm bill, this program aims to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers in planning and capital investment for value adding enterprises.

The most recent information on funding availability and applications is available through your state USDA Office. For state contacts and more information please go to the website.

The specific government office was instrumental in helping to create an expanded value added grant program in the 2002 farm bill to include not only processing but by adding value by how agricultural products are grown or raised, e.g. organic, grass-fed. They helped shape the grant program from a $10 million/year grant program to its current authorized level of $40 million (appropriations have been less in recent years). Since that time, the office has seen an outpouring of interest and demand for this program from farmers and ranchers around the country who are developing businesses that grow their income and bring much needed jobs to their communities.|

These innovative initiatives have strengthened the viability of small and mid-sized farms and ranches and have allowed farms and ranches to grow businesses around production practices that benefit the environment and our natural resources.

The Grant Program

Applicants for the grant must meet fairly strict requirements outlined in the Notice of Solicitation of Applications to be eligible for funding. If you are an independent producer, a farmer or rancher cooperative, agricultural producer group, or a majority-controlled producer-based business venture, you are eligible to apply for this grant.

The specific government office provides definitions for each of these categories, along with other requirements of the program. We strongly recommend that you locate a resource person in your county, state or region that can give you some professional advice on your grant application, as well as your business ideas.

How Do I Start?

Now is a good time to check with your state office or your state’s Department of Agriculture about recent news or upcoming workshops about the program. They can provide information, applications and guidance on when and how to apply for a grant. Set up a meeting with your local government, educate them about your project, and ask them for information about the program.

All completed applications are submitted to the national office in Washington, DC for review by staff and independent reviewers. Points are assigned based on the evaluation criteria outlined. Other sources for information regarding related enterprises or how to apply can be found at the website. This website offers a broad range of information on value and added and direct marketing initiatives. Through links to centers around the country at the state level, the website makes available information on a broad range of issues.

Types of Grants

When applying for a grant, applicants must choose between two different types of activities for funding. Funding is available for:

• Developing feasibility studies or business plans, which include marketing plans, or;
  
  
• Working capital to operate a value-added business or alliance.

Applicants are eligible to apply for only one of these two types of grants each grant cycle. They do not penalize groups who go first for a planning then for a working capital grant.

Matching Funds

The program requires a one-to-one match. A cash match is defined as actual funds dedicated to the project. An in-kind match includes time, equipment, space, staff salaries, etc. Examples of a cash match might be third party contributions from groups, farm organizations or individuals donating cash towards a project; the salary of a person or persons working on a project (cash transaction); travel expenses to attend meetings or participate in training sessions; state appropriations or non-federal funds that have not been spent; bank financing; revolving loan funds; or county financing.

Examples of in-kind contributions include space; equipment; supplies, copies, telephone and other expenses which are dedicated to the project; volunteer time/unpaid services provided to a recipient by an individual or employee working on a project ( non-cash transaction); value of hours of non-federally funded personnel assisting with project, e.g. State Dept. of Agriculture, local economic development agencies, volunteer board members, etc; donation of office space or meeting rooms; or donation of inventory including equipment or buildings.

What Makes My Grant Proposal Likely to Be Funded?

The specifics include a list of evaluation criteria that are used to score applications for strength and merit. Reviewers award points to each application based on how well the applicant has addressed the requirements spelled out in the evaluation criteria. Understanding the evaluation criteria of the program is important and will help you to assess the strengths of your project and application.



Addition Information

The sponsors of this grant program are looking to identify a pool of independent reviewers who could be available to review value-added grants. People with backgrounds in organizing and managing value-added business ventures, writing grant proposals for value-added enterprises, and others who have a history with sustainable agriculture projects should contact the office via email.

Farm-Related Grants Available!

Agriculture is important for the economy of United States and that is why the government offers money for small farm businesses.




Did you know that it is possible for you to try for government grants for small farms if you own a small farm or field and have products which can be sold, but don't have the money to do it?

The Government wants to encourage agriculture and small fields.

In order to be eligible to apply you will need to create a good business plan but you may also be able to get some help with your business plan from some of the related government agencies. Even though the eligibility process may involve some paperwork the effort is worth it to get government money for your agricultural needs! You need to have a good business plan before applying for the grant for farms, agricultural loans or start up money with details like:

• Your marketing plan
  

• Product details
  

• Prices
  

• Distribution

A good business plan also helps you make sure of what you will be doing for the coming five years in your small business. When you have a business plan ready, you will find it much easy to apply. You will have to do the required paperwork for the government funds.

The Economy becomes strong and grows with the help of small agricultural businesses. This is also a source of employment for many people. The Government also wants people to have successful small agricultural businesses and gives government funding to help you.


In order to apply for government money for these purposes you will have to give a few things which include:

• The details
  

• Personal information
  

• Prove of who you are through an ID

If your business plan considered successful and can be marketed you will be able to find cash to buy a small farm through the funds given by the government which includes:

• Low interest loans
  

• Awards
  

• Forgiven loans
  

• Leased land agriculture funding
  

• Government grants

Did you know that grant programs don't mandate co-signers, security deposits, collateral or credit checks. In most cases all that is required by you is to inform them on the progress of goals specified in the application and send in periodic progress reports. This is done to ensure that the funds granted to you are being used as intended.

Teachers Submit Proposals For Grants!

So far over $100,000 has been given out as grant money to area schools for worthwhile and specified teaching projects!

Different proposals have been flooding the offices of the Foundation that is at the head of this particular grant program. Proposals involving the use of everything from Kindles to puppets and high tech software to low tech magnets flooded the office of the Foundation so far this year.

Past grant recipients include:

• one program will bring video based lessons and interactive activities to all elementary classrooms while another program will use puppets to teach autism awareness across the district.
  
  
• pre-school students will become actors in their own movies that model appropriate behavior, an effective but fun way to learn important skills that don’t come easily to younger students.

While the foundation did not identify purchasing technology as a system wide initiative this year, it did fund individual grants for interactive whiteboards, electronic tablets and additional software.

To view the complete list of the foundation's grants, look on line at their website or you can contact them by phone.

Do You Need Financial Help For Your Business?

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

Here is an example of one such angel investor program!

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

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

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

Priority will be given to businesses that are already established!

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

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

Here Is An Example Of An

Entrepreneur Who Got An Investor!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have You Made A Positive Impact?

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

Eligible recipients must reside in the local area!

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2009.

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

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

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

You can also contact them by Email or by phone.

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

How About A Surfing Scholarship?

This scholarship program started in 2007 with only five grants awarded and within one year has expanded to 20 scholarships. This year, 2009, the organization has increased their scholarship program by 100%, issuing 40 scholarships to Under 18 junior surfers from 22 countries. So far over 80 applications from 24 countries have been received!

Grants To Help Pay For Your Real Estate Career. If you need assistance paying your education finances then consider applying for a business education real estate grant.If you are thinking of becoming a real estate agent then you might want to look into applying for business education real estate grants. These grants can help pay for your real estate courses. There may also be scholarships available for those that want to pursue a career in real estate as well. These grant (and scholarship) programs may also pay for your living expenses as well as for your educational expenses. You may also be able to use this grant money to pay for your business expenses such as rent for your real estate office and the business equipment that you will need to run the office.

"Green" Grants

Billions of Dollars are now available as part of President Obama's Stimulus Package to help create energy-saving programs! States and even more local areas are eligible to apply for grant money to create energy-saving programs including energy efficiency and conservation.

However there is a deadline of June 25, 2009 to apply for this grant program!

Included in this grant program:

• At least $500 million for green jobs training.
  
  
• $9.75 billion to renovate schools.
  
  
• $5 billion to weatherize low-income homes.
  
  
• $300 million to replace old appliances with "Energy Star" products.

A Grant Program For Gardening Projects

Does your organization have a conservation or landscape-related project in the works? Well you may be eligible to apply for this locally available grant program! Money is available to beautify, conserve, educate, inspire, and contribute to people of all ages using horticulture and garden development.


If your organization or institution would like to apply for this grant program then you have to fill out their online application which is available at their website. The grant application itself can be very simple, even handwritten, with simple sketches or photographs - but it must be completed by the deadline, June 15, 2009! The application is available as a downloadable .pdf file. According to one of the organization's members "We receive many requests to fund projects each year. We appreciate your project submission to us and hope we will be able to work with you toward accomplishing your goals. Good luck!"


The deadline to apply for this grant program is

June 15, 2009!

Here are some of the past grant recipients:

• A student received a scholarship which was funded by the organization. The student decided to study landscape gardening and, after being told by an instructor that she was "an excellent student," she went on to become a landscape instructor herself and now works with the instructor. One of her responsibilities and the part she enjoys the most is to supervise other students landscaping/planting the yards of newly completed Habitat for Humanity homes, a project also made possible by a grant from this same organization!
  
  
• One Audubon Society group now has a ranger to take care of one of their projects thanks to a $6,000 grant that has been provided by this organization.
  
  
• The organization has provided grant money to help beautify landscapes in the city and nearby county.
  
  
• A local area church has received enough grant money for the planting of biblical plants in their garden.
  
  
• A Children's Museum received grant money to establish a Secret Garden visible over a brick wall which also included a water feature & plantings with benches to allow citizens & tourists to rest and enjoy the setting.
  
  
• Another garden received grant money for an outdoor butterfly garden to surround the new Butterfly House that will be constructed there. Plant materials will be specifically designed to attract native butterflies and this area will serve as an outdoor classroom for visitors and schoolchildren.
  
  
  
• Other special projects that have been supported include garden therapy, youth gardener projects, and horticultural programs.
  

And the list goes on. Add it all up and the club's generosity is known to have benefited thousands of nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, local government projects and individuals, to the tune of more than $1 million.

Grants are divided into five main categories:

• Beautification - the creation of new gardens and the restoration of existing gardens; adding trees, shrubs; flowers along with hardscapes that will allow people to enjoy the particular area.
  
  
• Conservation
  
  
• Educational - In addition to scholarship funds, the organization has funded a greenhouse at a local Community College in which students learn to grow plants. Multiple grant awards have gone to schools and organizations for the purpose of educating people about how to use plants for conservation, food, landscaping, attracting wildlife, etc.
  
  
• Inspirational and memorials - For example one hospice received grant monies to help with a three-phase project for gardens on the property that will be uplifting to patients as well as to the entire community who visit and contemplate life and death. The project was completed in 2008.
  
  
• Philanthropy

A Grant Funding Example! A Local Library! Of course as I have been saying all along, one of the reasons why grant programs have been started is to bring more awareness to a problem and to help better one's community. Here is an example: One local library with a population of over 100,000, which has had over 71,000 registered library card holders, has circulated 300,000 items and answered over 100,000 reference questions has received over $45,000 in grant money! The Library System provided 1,512 programs and activities, the most in the history of the system, with 33,576 attending the events. The Reading Well Outreach made 332 visits to day-care centers and camps entertaining 16,146 children and teachers. Besides providing the regular library services to the community, their Mobile Library started visiting nursing homes and assisted-living centers. The Library System’s staff provides adult storytelling and Nintendo Wii gaming for seniors. The Library System didn’t solely focus on branch renovations during 2008, but accomplished the goal of enhancing technology. The Library System purchased databases to meet public demand. The Library System subscribed to Mango Language, which teaches nine foreign languages; Marshall Cavendish, an excellent database for children’s non-fiction material; and Lexis-Nexis and JSTOR, databases for periodical subscriptions and research. Also Meebo, an instant chat with a reference librarian, was added to the library system's web site, along with a reference blog describing the latest news in the reference department. Instructional videos on databases and interlibrary usages also were added on the Web site and YouTube. The Library System also maintains MySpace and Facebook sites. The library's e-book collection has increased to 1,740 items and some of the titles can be downloaded to a MP3 player. The Library System has a collection of 302,035 books, 6,291 books-on-CD, 6,758 DVDs, 2,746 books-on-tape and subscribes to approximately 400 magazines. If a person can’t visit one of the library's branches to obtain their monthly newsletter/calendar, it can now be downloaded from one of the Library System’s web site. Grants allow the Library System to provide quality programming. For 2008, the system received $47,446 in grants. The money was awarded from various organizations and regional Art Councils.

Scholarship Program For Veterans

Nationwide colleges have received $100,00 from a program that provides scholarships and support for current and former military members to ease their transition into higher education. the university announced Friday. The grants will be used to support related college programs. So far over 250 colleges have applied for these grants, which are given anually to colleges that have developed significant programs to increase access to veterans and their families. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded in the fall.

Over the past year, one foundation has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants to organizations in support of programs that provide educational assistance to veterans.

Grant To Buy An Electric Car?

In London, motorists could receive up to 5,000 pounds ($7,500) if they buy an electric car! The plan comes as part of a 250-million-pound scheme to make motoring greener, and ministers hope it will help Britain meet its target of slashing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said he wanted electric cars to become a much more common sight on Britain's streets. "What we've got to get people used to is the idea that electric cars will become quite normal, quite usual, that it won't be exceptional and, without being slightly unkind to existing electric vehicles, they won't be slightly odd," he told one local newspaper.

Under this grant program, drivers will receive between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds towards buying their first electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Electric cars cost an average of 12,000 pounds, but go up to over 80,000 pounds for high-performance models.

There are also talks about urging the government to start a grant program which would pay motorists to ditch old cars for new.

Update!

• There is a new initiative being introduced that will allow drivers to trade in their non-running vehicles and claim £1,000 towards more fuel-hungry vehicles if they wish! There is also a loophole in one of the government programs that will allow wealthy drivers to trade in their non-running wrecks and obtain £1,000 from the taxpayer towards a new sports car, 4x4 or luxury car.
  
  Owners of cars that have no MoT certificate and are sitting rusting in backyards are eligible for grants if a statutory off-road notification (SORN) has been made. This is a declaration that a car is not being kept on a public road and therefore does not need to have an MoT or be taxed. A SORN is free and can be made via this website.
  
  This means that taxpayers are likely to be paying for cars that would have been bought anyway, without the grants. Because many will be replacing vehicles already removed from the road, the environmental benefits of this program will be limited.

Manufacturers must match the £1,000 grant with a £1,000 discount. The manufacturers are encouraging drivers to buy bigger, more fuel-hungry cars. Ford is offering £4,500, including the grant, off a Mondeo and £5,000 off a Galaxy. However, it is offering only £2,000 off a Fiesta and telling drivers they must wait at least three months for delivery. Any driver can get a friend or relative with an old car to trade it in on their behalf for a new one and transfer ownership. The government official said that this would be permitted.

• If you have an old car on the driveway that will not pass its MoT, complete a statutory off road notification on the website. Dealers will happily collect it, scrap it and give you the discount. The car must have been registered in your name for at least a year
  
  
• If you don’t have an old car to scrap, find a friend who does. Get him or her to go along with you to the dealer and sign the paperwork. When the deal is done your friend can transfer ownership to you

Several dealers told a reporter, who posed as a buyer wanting to take part in the scheme, that they could arrange an MoT regardless of the condition of the vehicle. “It’s going to be scrapped anyway so the MoT won’t be a problem,” one said.

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For other grant-related programs outside of the United States, please be sure to visit my Dream Job Forum!

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There is an assistance program that is offered by utility and gas companies in many states. This organization, and the aid they will give provides energy assistance funds to families and individuals in need of help. In addition, the program will offer additional aid, such as help for paying medical bills, rent or housing costs, and more. Select your state to learn if this program is available in your area!

Did you know that there is an organization that helps families and individuals who can't secure loan funding or cash grants at traditional lending institutions. Funds provided can be used to pay for items such as unexpected bills, fix transportation issues and purchase prescription drugs!

Property Tax Deferral Program For Homeowners With Limited Income! If you are a homeowner with limited income, then Washington has a program that may help you pay your property taxes and/or special assessments! Under this deferral program, 50 percent of your property taxes and/or special assessments will be paid on your behalf! The program is not an exemption or a grant. Deferred taxes are taxes that have been postponed. When you no longer own and use the property as your personal residence, you must repay the deferred tax. The deferred amount, plus interest, becomes a lien in favor of the state until the total amount is repaid. Please remember that you can do something if you don't have enough money to pay your property taxes. Don't wait until the town has taken your house for back taxes. It might be too late! I Can't Pay the Taxes on my House: What Can I Do? In one state if you cannot pay your tax bill for the property you live on, there is something you can do. Your city or town can decide that you don't have to pay some or all of it! If you are considered low-income then you may be eligible to apply for this program. You will need to get the correct form to apply for this property tax funding program. (it is available as a .pdf download). On the form, you will be asked specific information like how much income you make, your debts and expenses and you will also be asked questions about your property. If you are unemployed you will have to state the reason why you are unemployed. If you use all of your income to pay for basic living expenses (like rent or house payment, lights, heat, and food), then you should be able to qualify for this program. The town must let you apply for up to 3 years of back tax bills. If you owe more than 3 years, ask the Town if they will forgive all of the taxes that you owe. Be prepared to give them your income and budgets for each year. After you have applied for this program, your town has 30 days to decide what to do. During that time, they may hold an informal hearing. It must be kept private. At the hearing, they may ask you more questions about what you can pay. After the 30 days, they must tell you if you must still pay the taxes. They must give you their decision in writing. If you are turned down you have 60 days to try to change the decision (appeal). To appeal, you must send a letter to a higher authority, asking for a new decision. It can be a simple letter. Ask someone to help you if you need help. Your written decision from the town should tell you where to send the letter. Next, you will be told when and where and go to an appeal hearing. At the hearing, be prepared to talk about your income and budget. The people who hear your appeal have 60 days total (from the date of your letter) to make a new decision. If you are still denied then you can appeal the second decision to the local Superior Court. You must do this within 30 days after you got the second decision. If you do not receive this second written decision within 60 days, then your appeal is considered denied. In this case, your appeal deadline is 90 days from the date of your hearing. Here are some other ways that you may to get help with your house taxes. You may also be able to get more tax relief if you are: blind a wartime veteran and at least 62 years old or the widow or minor child of a wartime veteran You should also visit the state website for more information about this specific property tax program.

What Kind Of For-Profit Businesses

Get Government Grants?

Here is an excerpt from a for-profit business:

"Our business is already seeing early effects of the recovery money. How? Our customers are getting grants.

All of the "grant pots" are overflowing with money at this point, and many times when people get grant awards for small scale plants, they call us to design and build them. Our design-build group has gone from a single employee in 2008 to a staff of six in 2009. And the backlog of work is growing.
"

It seems that the government's official grant website has become so busy that grant writers are having a hard time accessing the website themselves! (Except for me of course! - LOL! - I have never had a problem accessing the government's official web site). The reason is because so many individuals are looking to the site to find more information about how they can get grant money for themselves!

According to one for-profit business that has received a government grant in the past:

"And I suppose I should be grateful that the stimulus is coming to town. Today we are building a second laboratory to accommodate all of the contracts that are coming our way and we have grants to thank for its expansion. I never went into this thinking "I could get a grant for this." And I had never heard of "stimulus money" when I was doing my business plan in 2005. It turns out that you cannot be in this business without having a toe in government policy. And you can't play a proper role in policy if you don't participate in grants, and research and the like."