How do I get free government grants to help me fix my crumbling pool? A grant that I don't have to pay back

Answer 1

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.

There there is a stringent review process through a committee. 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.

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 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

Answer 2

I can't imagine why the government would give grants for pool repairs unless you happened to live in an area affected by a natural disaster. Even then, pools aren't exactly necessary for life. Look at those people in the Gulf states who still don't have their homes repaired a year after Katrina.

Answer 3

The government will not help you fix your crumbling pool. The grants from the government are for specific purposes, outlined on their website.

Answer 4

Good advice from the first answerer. A
"grant" is a grant, just that, and nothing to repay.

Answer 5

Change your address to New Orleans, look overweight with a dirty kid in your hand, smoke a cigarettes and put out your hand for some free money while you stand on the bridge with CNN filming you (slow motion, for that pathetic affect) - it worked for them.

Answer 6

Watch your bulk mail. I get then all the time. They advertise in the papers and small pubs. You must not get around much.