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What are Grants?
A grant is a free
gift of money, goods, or services. You never have to pay back a
grant. In most cases, grants are tax–free.
Grants truly are a
“parallel economy”. Literally hundreds of billions of dollars are
granted each year. This money stimulates the economy, creates
projects the improve communities, creates jobs, supports businesses,
and helps dreams come true.
Grants consulting –
providing assistance to businesses and non-profit corporations by
writing grant proposals – is a highly rewarding career, and always
in demand.
There are 3 basic
types of grants: foundation, corporate, and government grants.
Grants can range in amount from a few hundred dollars up to hundreds
of thousands, or more, depending upon the project and the funder.
Foundations have
been established by wealthy individuals, families or organizations,
or through community fundraising efforts, to support worthy
projects. Every foundation has certain causes it wants to support.
Some foundations
give to support youth or the elderly, some want to underwrite
medical research, and still others are committed to creating social
change. If you have a project that will benefit humanity, chances
are there's a foundation that will be interested in hearing about
it.
There are over
70,000 foundations in the United States alone – and many more all
over the world.
Corporations often
establish their own foundations, or they give money through their
community service departments. Some corporations set aside a
percentage of their profits for giving. Like foundations,
corporations choose the types of projects they want to support.
When requesting
money from a corporation, remember that one of the company's
motivations in giving a grant is positive public relations. Always
think of ways in which you can assist the company in achieving their
goal of looking good to potential customers. Offer to honor the
company at an event, or install a permanent plaque in recognition of
their gift.
Government grants
are available from the federal government, and from state, county
and city governments. Governments have two ways of carrying out
their responsibilities. One is by doing a job directly. As an
example, the federal government handles the national defense
function by employing and deploying the armed forces.
But the government
finds it's more effective to subcontract many of its
responsibilities. For instance, much of the country's affordable
housing is built through by private business and funded through
government grants. Sometimes the feds give the money directly.
Sometimes they make “pass-through” grants to state and local
government entities, which then distribute the grant funds.
If you would like
to learn how to write grants for a community project, or to start a
new career as a Certified Grant Writer, check out our Grants
Training Classes at:
www.GrantMeRich.com/classes.htm
2008
(c) Live Oak Tree, LLC
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