What will be the best and fastest way to find out if a company that supposedly works with grants are legitimate, because one just contact me and had told me that my business qualify for a grant since the nature of my business does community service(karate school),that they work with grants from private companies(Coca Cola,Pepsi,Met life,etc),and we qualify for a $180,000 because we are planning to move into a bigger location,that we are in a low income area,also an area with high unemployment,also an area of minorities,we will create jobs and again continue with our community service working with kids and getting them of the streets etc.Basically is this all crap or there is a possibilty of what this people are telling me could be true because they are asking me for $2,500 up front and another $2,500 when we get the grant And honestly I am not in the position to loose that money,that I dont have and I do not want to get in debt to get it
2006-07-27 16:23:52 · 8 answers · asked by twogirls0306 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Investing
I would avoud them because they make you believe that there are grants available for a for-profit business. Plus they make you pay for information that you can get for free.
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.
2006-07-30 09:56:34 · answer #1 · answered by imisidro 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The word "qualify" is the key word here. Because you qualify to win the sweepstakes, does it mean you win?
If you were "granted" the money, there would be no cost to you.
But it should give you the idea to go down to your library and look into obtaining grants for your business.
The people asking for $2,500 are probably professional grant writers. They are in business to make money and get a percentage of the grant, if available. There are no guarantees.
2006-07-27 23:31:19 · answer #2 · answered by dredude52 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds REALLY fishy. Tell you what - call Coca Cola or Pepsi and see if they actually work with companies like that. I think they would be ticked off to see their donations going to some firm like that.
You should NOT have to pay money up front for something like that.
Here's an discussion that pertains to your situation. Not pretty.
http://us-federal-government-aid.idilogic.aidpage.com/us-federal-government-aid/
2006-07-27 23:30:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mutantmoose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask for their prospectus, business plan, references in your area, and/or annual report for the last year. If they don't have this stuff, or don't immediately send it out to you, then you are probably dealing with a scam.
2006-07-27 23:29:01 · answer #4 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a search on the internet. Get all their information. It totally sounds sketchy but if it isn't they won't mind giving out information.
2006-07-27 23:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by wittbelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a scam
keep your money you shouldn't have to pay for a grant it would be conterproductive
2006-07-27 23:29:10 · answer #6 · answered by jiggyscrewy1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They want to take your money and run!
2006-07-27 23:27:35 · answer #7 · answered by Pey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like a scam and i would not do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-27 23:32:01 · answer #8 · answered by baby girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋