Government Grants

You've seen all the commericals, especially the ones with the guy in the funny looking suit.  But are government grants really everything they seem cracked up to be?  Well, that depends on who you are.  Government grants to individuals, just like government grants to states, come with a lot of strings attached.  You have to prepare a very detailed statement of how you are going to use the money.  Then you need to keep accurate records on how you then actually spent the money that are able to be audited at least once a year.  All the funds given to you must be spent in an appropriate manner.  If they're not, they're given back to the Treasury.

Even if you're able to account for every penny you've spent, the government may put additional regulations on you, requiring you to perform certain actions as a result of getting the grant money.  Applying for a grant also takes time and money with no garuntee of success.

For these reasons, most grants go to communities looking to complete a project that can improve the lives of all the people in the town.

But this isn't to say that you should be discouraged. Every day the government IS giving money to people and businesses for various reasons. You just need to be aware that it is not easy or completely free money.

If you think you're eligible for some government money, your first step should be to head over to  Grants.gov and search for grants you think you're eligible for.  If you want to apply for the grants, you will have to signup, otherwise you can search anonymously.

However, the entire site may be a bit daunting.  Trying to find the right grant for you, especially if you have no idea what you think you might be eligible for, may require some help from outside source.  Also navigating the sometimes tricky application process could prove a hangup as well.  It is possible to complete the whole process by yourself, but if you need some help knowing what and how to apply or what rules to watch out for, make sure to check out a few of my recommended books and links.