Need help with understanding government grants?

Question

I am wanting to apply for grants for a first time home buyer, college, and medical cost for perscription medicines. I've been to the .gov sites but am not sure which ones to apply for or how to apply at all.

Are there any websites or books that explain what each grant is for and who is eligible and also explain how to apply for a grant step by step?

Any suggestions would be great. thanks

Answer 1

You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two FREE sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.

Note though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants.

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

The government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.

For one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant. Grants have objectives, and the grant applications that best captures the grant's objectives are approved.

There is a stringent review process through a committee composed of federal employees and selected experts in the field. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved.

Answer 2

Visit http://free-grants-scholarships.blogspot...

This may help you.

Answer 3

There are NO grants for private citizens.   Grant money is sought after by institutions, towns and not for profit organziations.  They hire professional grant writers to submit the applications.  Most are turned down.

What you need is a job.

Answer 4

Yeah, there are websites where you can pick wich grant you want and they will send you a kit which explains everything. Unfortunatly you have to pay for the kit, which is crazy cuz OBVIOUSLY if we are looking for a grant its cuz money is tight lol. Well grants are not hard to find at all, just google. Good luck...