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Finding and identifying government agencies that give grants for specific purposes or in specific subject areas requires considerable time, effort, and research. The resources on this page provide a starting point to help you do your own research.
If you are looking for funding for an existing or new for-profit business, you may encounter difficulties in finding and getting grant funding. Government grants are generally (though not always) given to non-profit organizations for programs and services that benefit the community or the public at large. You may want to take a look at my resources page for Small, Minority, Women-Owned, and Other Disadvantaged Businesses, which will provide you with specialized resources on government contracting and grants, Federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, business plans and proposals, and other information.
Certain types of government grants are available to small businesses. These include "Small Business Innovation Research" (SBIR) and "Small Business Technology Transfer" (STTR) grants. Grants from other agencies may also be available for new technologies, inventions, or products. You can find information about some of these government grants on this page. Additional resources on SBIR/STTR can be found here.
Grants to individuals are most often given for educational support (financial aid), the arts, and various types of scientific or other research, although some agencies award grants to individuals for other purposes. Again, good research is the key to finding this information. If you are looking for financial aid to begin or continue your education, there are many other excellent sites on the web that contain information on this subject. The U.S. Department of Education's Student Guide and Yahoo's Financial Aid Directory are good places to start your search. You can also find additional information on grants for individuals in the Foundation Center's Online Orientation Guide, and on Michigan State University's Grants for Individuals Page. These resources provide information on both government and non-government grants.
Getting a grant is hard work. Don't be fooled by advertisements and promotions that state that you can get "free money" just by asking for it. There is a lot of competition for grant funds. To be successful in winning a grant, you must provide the funding agency with a well-written proposal that clearly states your objectives and sets forth a plan and budget for your activities. Grants are "free" in that you do not have to pay back the money. However, if you are awarded a grant you may be required to provide periodic progress, program evaluation, and/or financial reports to the government.
If you think that you qualify for a grant, be prepared to work for it or contract with a competent professional to assist you.
© 2000 Deborah Kluge
Deborah Kluge is an Independent Consultant, specializing in Proposal Writing and Government Contracting. For more information on Government Funds visit her website http://www.proposalwriter.com.
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