Government Grants and How to Find Them

The U.S. Government gives out grants to a number of companies, organizations, and even individuals. A grant is different from a loan where the money isn’t expected to be paid back. They however are not exactly free money, and the often come with restrictions on how they can be spent because they are funded through the common man’s tax dollars.

In general, getting a grant is going to be more work than getting a loan, but with the help of a grant writer and meeting the appropriate qualifications, a government grant is a good way to start off or continue work with an organization, small business, government agency, or even for projects done as an individual.

Finding a Grant

The best resource for government grants is http://Grants.gov, a government-run website that lists a huge amount of grants available for different criteria and types of applicants. This is going to be your one-stop shop for government grants, and because there are so many grant scams out there, it is better to use this site than run the risk of falling for a scams.

The great thing about Grants.gov is that it is organized in a way that makes browsing simple, and their search functions are going to make it easy for you to attempt to pinpoint the actually grant or type of grants you need. Additionally, unlike so many ebooks, webinars, and other grant-related material, it’s completely free to use and isn’t going to lead to you spending a bunch of money for literally nothing but garbage.

Applying for a Government Grant

Should you find a grant that fits what you aim to do, then it is time to give some serious consideration to the application process. If you only meet some of the criteria, chances are you shouldn’t spend the time and energy applying for the grant… there are so many people that DO fit the criteria, that outliers are likely to be tossed without second thought.

Application Process

The actual application process is going to vary between grants. Some are going to be rather simple, but many will require short grant proposals are huge grant proposals. In the event that the grant you’re seeking requires a grant proposal, make sure to hire a grant writer if you’re not especially good at English or if you don’t have the time to learn about grant writing on your own. Having a professional on your side is going to do a lot to help you out. You can find grant writers at freelancing websites like http://Elance.com.

In the event that you do receive a grant, you may be required to follow certain criteria on how the money is spent. Don’t let yourself be tempted to do something else with this money, as this can lead to fines. And remember, grants are money from other citizens, so please use this money wisely and for the betterment of the community!
Best of luck in your search for a grant!