2006-12-04 13:34:41 · 4 answers · asked by trsals 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
Total scam. It's not as easy to get a government grant as these companies want you to think. You pay your fee and get a big book of grants that you don't qualify for. Don't waste your money.
2006-12-04 14:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want government grants, then go only to GOVERNMENT websites, not to a .com, .org or .net website. The government has NOT authorized any private organization to process grants for them. And government NEVER calls people that grants are available.
That is a SCAM. I would be extremely wary of companies that tell you that you qualify for any type of grant assistance for any purpose you want -- for paying bills, for getting out of debt, for starting a business, for fattening your wallet -- because that is simply not true.
If you want information on grants, go to government website (those that ends in .gov). 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. There are no grants for paying bills, for getting out of debt or for buying a car. 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.
2006-12-05 02:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by imisidro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your question?
These companies are generally scams. They say they will look for grants for you if you pay them a fee. You pay the fee and you never hear from them again.
2006-12-04 13:44:18 · answer #3 · answered by Wayne Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a scam
the only people to deal with for a government grant is the people at the govenment offices
2006-12-04 15:56:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋