Government assistance programs are wide-ranging and vary across all industries in order to reach Americans in need throughout the country. One way of distributing such assistance to citizens and communities is through government housing assistance and housing development programs. These programs are managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise referred to as HUD and the Federal Housing Authority, known more commonly as FHA. The vast array of programs offered by HUD is unimaginable. On the HUD website, the Department defines its overall mission as “creating strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.” We will highlight just a few of these programs that fall under the Office of Housing’s authority related to both HUD and FHA.

HUD Rental Assistance Programs

There are three ways that HUD offers assistance to low-income families looking to rent an apartment or house. There are subsidies to private owners of apartment complexes, government owned housing in apartment/condo/townhouse/single-family style homes, and a housing choice voucher program (known more commonly as section 8).

Privately Owned Subsidized Apartments – this is a program that allows low-income families to rent from apartment complexes they otherwise may not have been able to afford, applying and paying rent at the apartment management offices like any other tenant. The HUD program provides a subsidy directly to the apartment owners as a way to compensate the difference between what the tenants has been determined to be able to afford and what the owner normally charges for the apartment. To search for apartments in your area participating in this program, use the HUD search tool at http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/index.cfm.

Public Housing – housing built with the intention of being occupied by lower income families, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Public housing is a program of eligibility based onlower income status and a select few other qualifiers. An adviser who specializes in public housing will determine your eligibility based on 4 categories:

1) annual gross income

2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family

3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status

4) references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section – as an offshoot of the public housing program the housing advisers that assist families applying for public housing may recommend to people that they also apply or inquire about the voucher program. To determine the rent that families pay for their public housing an equation is used to compare their income and the apartment’s “fair market rent” (FMR) price. To ensure the family does not pay over 30% of their income to rent HUD bases the dwelling’s FMR on the local area, size of the apartment, amount of bedrooms, age of the building, and general construction status. If the dwelling is worth more than 30% of the families’ income, they may still be eligible for vouchers to subsidize the difference. The FMR rates must be re-estimated each fiscal year in the same way that each family must re-submit their income statements each year. Rental rates based on standard-quality housing units have the following attributes:

• occupied rental units paying cash rent
• specified renter on 10 acres or less
• with full plumbing
• with full kitchen
• unit more than 2 years old
• meals not included in rent

HUD & FHA Home Buyers Assistance Programs

The HUD programs are not exclusively offered to lower income families choosing to rent a home. There is also a wide array of programs offered to individuals and families looking to purchase, refinance, and remodel a purchased home. When you are ready to consider buying a home or to begin searching for a home to buy, it is wise to seek out the services of a housing counselor. The HUD office in your local area can provide you with a wealth of information about trusted lenders, home prices, home owner’s insurance, renting v. owning in the current market, and many other frequently asked questions about home-buying. To find a counselor near you the HUD offers a searchable database at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans – program designed to help home buyers with low to moderate income and less cash on hand for down payments so that they are still able to qualify for home loans. Benefits of an FHA loan include:

• Only requires a 3% down payment
• Ability to finance closing costs
• FHA has set limits on the amount lenders can charge for some closing cost fees (e.g. origination no more than 1% of mortgage).
• Maximum mortgage amount can vary significantly by area. FHA adjusts this amount periodically based on certain economic variables. You should check with your local FHA office or approved lender to determine your maximum mortgage amount.
• Under certain conditions, automatic cancellation of the FHA mortgage insurance premium

For more information on FHA and other home-buying information with secured government loans, visit http://www.ginniemae.gov/index.asp.

203(k) Rehab Mortgage Insurance – for families and individuals who are looking to buy or have already bought a home that they consider a “fixer-upper,” the HUD and FHA both offer programs to encourage buyers to make the choice to buy and/or make upgrades that will increase the home’s worth. There are detailed stipulations to loan amounts, mortgage costs, construction costs, and priority is given to weatherization and energy efficiency projects before luxury or aesthetics. There are multiple programs for all variations of scenarios.

• Rehabilitation or Repair of a Home Without Mortgage or Refinancing – in this case the HUD offers a Title I Home Improvement Loan to credit-qualifying borrowers. For a single family home a loan can be used for alterations, repairs and/or site improvements; with a maximum loan amount of $25,000 for a maximum term of 20 years. For multifamily structures a loan can be used for building alterations and repairs only; with a maximum loan amount of $60,000 (averaging only $12,000 in actual loans) for 20 years.

For more information or any other questions you may have about qualifying for government housing assistance visit the HUD website at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/resources.

After detailing this small sampling of programs that the federal government supports with funding and employment opportunities, it is clear that there are plentiful resources available for people in need. This is only a few examples from the housing sectors of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and they have many more offices within their authority. There is only more encouragement to be found with the realization that the federal government supports 15 total departments that offer assistance through their subsidiary offices who allocate funds to branching programs and state government initiatives.

Government assistance programs are largely made up of federal money allocated to provide support in various forms to serve the public. The federal government explains assistance for families and its goals through assistance on its website as “providing states and communities with a vast array of resources to assist needy families, including cash assistance, food stamps, medical services, and social services.” The categories for these services are indeed varied and plenty. This article will focus on programs that fall under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families and further delineated under the Office of Family Assistance.  A sampling of these programs includes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) which later developed from a program into its own bureau that oversees the larger Nutrition Assistance Program including the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) food assistance program, the Head Start program for pre-kindergarten education, and Childhood Immunizations program. Each of these will be discussed in more detail below.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The TANF program is broader umbrella of entitlement funding programs available to qualifying families in need of assistance. It was set up in 1996 under the Clinton Administration to replace an original welfare program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). When it was fully developed it replaced not only AFDC, but also the program called Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) and another called Emergency Assistance (EA). All three had been long plagued by criticisms of misused funds and promoting out-of-wedlock marriages along with stagnant lifestyles rather than social growth. The new program, TANF, now focuses its mission on helping families to not only stay afloat during hard times, but also to achieve a self-sufficient status. The following goals are listed by the TANF website (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/about.html) as goals:

• assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
• reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
• preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies
• encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

The program has spent the last 15 years reshaping our social perceptions of family assistance tarnished by the reputation left by the welfare program it replaced. TANF balances precariously between 4.5 million families applying for assistance and $5,000,000,000 (billion) in funds being requested by states for funding.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Assistance

The WIC program is also considered one of entitlement funding, meaning that women must qualify and that not everyone will be eligible to receive funds by simply being a woman, an infant, or a child. The population that this program reaches out to is the lower income community of

• women during the course of their pregnancy and up to 6 weeks following delivery (or completion)
• women who are breastfeeding up through the infant’s 1^st birthday
• women through their infant’s 6^th month birthday if they’ve chosen not to breastfeed
• all infants through their 1^st year
• all children through their 5^th birthdays

The WIC program is proud to serve 45% of United States infants born and the beautiful women who have carried them. Benefits provided through the WIC program include:

• Supplemental nutritious foods
• Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics
• Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services

Using the most current data available, the program serves approximately 9 million women and children utilizing approximately $6,700,00,000 (billion) in fiscal year 2010. For more information or to see if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance through WIC, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/.

Head Start Program

The Head Start Program was started in 1965 with a goal to prepare pre-kindergarten children, who had not received the enrichment and social setting of preschool, for the following year of formal school through a summer program likened to preschool. Quickly realizing that a summer program was insufficient, Head Start grew to a full-fledged enrichment program that included the promotion of educational, nutritional, health, and social services, to low-income families with 3-5 year-old students. In 1995 it expanded even further with the Early Head Start program. This additional program includes services for pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and families as a whole. In doing so, they’ve furthered their efforts to enhance the lives of the people they assist and lead them in the direction of TANF’s overarching goal to develop self-sufficient families with tools to be the great parents we know they can be with services like family skills workshops.

In fiscal year 2010 there was approximately $7,000,000,000 (billion) awarded in assistance to states and territories for Head Start program initiatives that serve approximately 900,000 children under the age of 5. For more information or to see if your or a loved one qualifies for assistance through WIC, visit For more information or to see if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance through the Head Start program, visit http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/

Childhood Immunizations Program: Vaccines for Children (VFC)

The VFC program was officially put into effect in 1994 as an entitlement program to serve children who may not receive vaccinations without government assistance programs. The funding for this program is allocated through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) then distributed through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in conjunction with the Administration for Children and Families. The CDC purchases the pediatric and adolescent vaccines at wholesale and discounted prices to make available to the program. To be determined eligible a child must be considered “underinsured” through 1 of 4 categories:

• Medicaid eligible: if a child is either enrolled in the Medicaid program or is eligible for the program, they are considered eligible for the VFC program also.
• Uninsured: a child with no insurance, regardless of their parents’ income status, is eligible for the VFC program.
• American Indian or Alaskan Native: through the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603) a child meeting these outlined traits is eligible for the VFC program.
• Underinsured: children eligible for the VFC program under this category may 1) have private insurance that does not cover vaccinations, 2) only covers select vaccines, or 2) limits the payments made for vaccines (upon reaching the insurance payment limit – the child is “underinsured”). **an interesting note: the healthcare plan offered to active duty military members and their dependents leaves their children qualifying for VFC as “underinsured”.

Vaccines offered by the VFC program can be given by any provider enrolled in the VFC program, including private doctors, clinics and hospitals, public and community clinics, and even schools. The 2010 budget for the VFC program was approximately $3,000,000,000 (billion) with a report of the 2009 public and private providers administering VFC vaccines and services to just over 14,000 patients. For more information or to see if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance through the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/

This is just a light sampling of programs providing a glimpse of what is offered through the Office of Family Assistance with a focus toward Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is aimed at clarifying how widely the government assistance programs reach out to provide aid. The number of people and categories that the assistance programs encompass reach virtually every community and industry. With effort and determination to succeed, America reestablishes itself as a land of opportunity by offering its hand to lift its citizens up after a stumble.

The purpose of any Government grant is to provide stimulus that will have a tangible result in an economic or social sector.  Home improvement grants are no different and that motivation for the provision of funding to repurpose or renovate existing homes in the United States has some very measurable advantages for the economy and helps to address other economic maladies at the same time.

With the onset of “the credit crunch” or the restrictions by lenders to provide credit for new home purchases, the amount of new home sales in the Unites States began to slowly decline.  This decline is not only due to more stringent lending policies by chartered banks but also in response to consumer hesitancy to enter into new mortgages given the unpredictability of the global economy and the rising unemployment rate in the United States.  Fewer homes are being built because of the excess of new home inventory on the market.  While these homes sit vacant hundreds of thousands of skill trades laborers in construction (builders, contractors, heavy equipment operators, electricians, masons and plumbers) remain unemployed or under employed.  So rather than contributing to the glut of unsold homes and contributing to the growing American unemployment rate, it is far better to get Americans back to work by creating demand for their trade skills.

By encouraging home owners to invest in the renovation and restructuring of their homes, it reduces the effects of the housing bubble by reducing the number of new home builds or start ups.  In order to successfully entice homeowners into renovating existing housing the cost of the renovations needed to be addressed.   Just as the average person would sooner side with caution during unstable economic times and hesitate to enter into a mortgage for a new home purchase due to financial concerns, so too would they experience some difficulty in financing large renovation projects.  The last thing most people want to do in the current economy is add to their debt.

In response to this the United States Government developed an incentive plan to encourage home owners to take on capital renovation projects rather than purchase new homes.  Renovations to exisiting structures also have the potential to increase the number of residential units available in the United States addressing the need for more shared housing or rental properties.  Regardless however of the motivating factors, the intention is to facilitate investment in private homes and the popular incentive appeared in the federal legislation called the 203k mortgage.

A Financing Alternative

The 203k mortgage refers to Section 10 1 (c) (1) of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 (Public Law 95557) amends Section 203(k) of the National Housing Act (NHA). The objective of the revision is to “facilitate the restoration and preservation of the Nation’s existing housing stock.”

The best case scenario to consider is the purchase of a new home which may require renovation.  If the home owner decided to contribute and renovate his or her current structure to create more space for family members or for additional privacy, the addition or improvement would have to be financed (in most cases) by the bank.  However it may not be possible to secure financing for more than the value of the home as most banks cap lending limits to the maximum valuation of the asset (the home). This is done to ensure their investment capital as much as possible in a very volatile economical environment. This is the only loan security the bank really has.

The 203k plan allows for the borrowing against a preexisting mortgage to finance improvements (cosmetic and structural) without charging excessive fees.

Eligibility Requirements

In order for a residential property to be eligible to qualify for home improvement grants, it must meet a set of criteria established in Section 203(k) of the National Housing Act (NHA).  These guidelines are in place to ensure that the appropriate residential structures receive the investment monies to expand and meet a variety of needs and new residents.

In order to qualify for a home improvement grant in the United States the project must meet the following criteria:

• Properties of 1-4 person family dwellings that have been completed (constructed) for a minimum of one year
• Zoned according to maximum provisions of local zoning requirements
• All new construction units (wings or legal apartments or additions) must be attached to the main dwelling or principal structure
• Co-operative dwellings are not permitted
• Demolished homes that are rebuilt on the existing foundation are qualified
• Conversions which create more living space from one family to two, three or four family dwellings
• Modular units can qualify if mounted on an inspected foundation
• Properties which are “mixed use” whereas the property cannot have more than 25% to 40% of commercial floor space below a residential unit.
• Properties which are deemed “mixed use” will not deteriorate or compromise the health of other individuals in the area
• The health and safety of the project must not impeded residents, commercial owners or other property owners when completed

One of the criticisms of the 203k Plan is that it takes the onus of the United States Federal Government to invest in what most lobbyists refer to as “economical housing”.  There is a growing concern for the provision of affordable housing in the United States and new housing projects for low income residents are not forthcoming in the budgets.  Not everyone can afford a house.  Those that cannot require quality housing at an affordable rate to actively engage them in the economy.

Whatever the true intention of the 203K Plan it is certain that it is designed to have a number of benefits.  By making it easier to borrow for capital projects against the equity in the home, it helps to combat transient housing by encouraging individuals to invest in their own properties.  With the correct financing in order, adding an extra floor or even a basement apartment has never been easier with a home improvement grant.

A nonprofit organization is a business designed for a specific purpose and which does not earn a profit or distribute funds to owners or shareholders. Nonprofits still have expenditures and even pay salaries to employees, but they do not earn any revenues or hold any accounts for the purpose of saving money. An organization is generally a collection of resources structured to accomplish an overall goal. The purpose of a nonprofit organization is to meet specific needs within a community. Each nonprofit organization spells out its overall purpose in a mission statement. Very simply put, the word “nonprofit” means an organization that does not distribute a profit, and serves needs in a community.

Typical types of nonprofit services are advocacy, arts, civic, cultural, education, health and human service. Nonprofits range in size from extremely large organizations such as the Red Cross, hospitals, and schools, to extremely small enterprises that have no full time employees and operate only through the time spent by volunteers.

Nonprofit organizations usually require funding to serve their stated purpose. Funding can come from community and corporate donations, federal funding and gifts from individuals. Fundraising events are frequently used to create funding as well. Some of the biggest sources for funding of non-profit organizations are grants. Grants are available from a wide variety of sources, and can often sustain an entire organization’s fiscal needs alone.

Types of Grants Available

Private foundations offer grants to nonprofit organizations that support the same goals and meet specific needs within its guidelines.  A grant making public charity (sometimes referred to as a “public foundation”) derives its support from various members of the public. An example of a grant making public charity is the Ford Foundation, which is probably most well known for its support of National Public Radio programs. Most community foundations are also grant making public charities.

Grant making private foundations typically fund nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity under strict guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service. These are generally organizations whose purposes are charitable, educational, scientific, religious, literary, or cultural. Their revenue over and above operating costs cannot in any way benefit private individuals, and their influence on legislation or political campaigns is limited to a very strict set of guidelines. Public and private schools, libraries, and other various government organizations also qualify as public charities, even though they usually have not applied for nonprofit status.

Perhaps the largest source for nonprofit grants is the federal government. The number of available grants from federal sources can be overwhelming. Starting at the government’s own grant website, Grants.gov is a great starting point for information. Offering a clearinghouse of grants offered and one application and account for applying for many of them, this website is an invaluable tool for nonprofits seeking to apply for federal government grants. Some of the agencies with the federal government that award grants to nonprofits include the Agency for Internal Development, Health and Human Services, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

How to Apply for NonProfit Grants

Successful grant applications require solid advance planning and preparation. It takes time to coordinate planning and research, organize resources, write and package proposals, submit proposals to the grant maker and to follow-up after applying. There are generally very strict guidelines that must be followed to apply for any types of grants. These application guidelines vary between federal agencies and other opportunities.

Federally funded grants posted on Grants.gov are highly competitive. There will be many applications submitted for a single award opportunity and those with the best chance of funding will include exactly what is requested by the grant making agency. Grant proposals should be presented in clear, simple language.

A good grant proposal addresses the need and impact of the project, stability of project design and the methods to accomplish goals and proposals, adequately budgeted resources, quality of project personnel and use of volunteers, evaluation methods, and community services to be provided. To ensure there is sufficient information for all that is required on an application for a particular award or opportunity, completing research, sufficient planning and preparation is key. Research is the primary element in every grant proposal and determines the overall quality of the application.

Organizing the grant proposal, paying attention to detail and specifications, using concise, persuasive writing, and requesting reasonable funding for the related project will all help in the application process. Clearly understand the grant maker’s guidelines before writing the grant proposal. Make sure the grant maker’s goals and objectives match the grant seeking purposes of the nonprofit organization.

Some of the more important points to keep in mind when putting together a grant application include the ability to prove financial need, clear and concise outline of how the funds will be use to  meet needs in the community, and a clear reflection of planning, research and goals throughout the grant proposal.

The nonprofit organization’s needs and objectives should be stated clearly and concisely in a well written grant proposal or application. Points should be factual, supportable and professional. A well written grant proposal is the key factor in the grant maker’s decision making process.  Proposals should be presented neatly, professionally and in an organized package. All entries should be typed and single-spaced. Close attention must be paid to the guidelines requested by the grant maker, and followed to the letter. Only information and materials requested by the grant maker should be included.

Nonprofit organizations are in integral part of the support system in a community, but without funding they have trouble meeting the needs they seek to meet. One of the most readily available sources for non-profit funding is from grants offered from a variety of sources. With careful planning, and well constructed and presented grant proposals, nonprofit organizations can get the funding they need to continue to do the work of helping others in their community.

Government grants are a widely used source of funding for various organizations.  In this day and age where we are struggling to revive our economy, government grants are an integral part of the solution as they can provide economic stimulus by assisting with education and skills development, health care and supports as well as small business development.  These areas are known to support economical growth and development as they create educational and business opportunities, new job creation and reduce the strain on social assistance by activating individuals and permitting them to retrain and remain in the work force.

Government grants also have the ability to enhance the quality of the workforce by addressing specific deficits in skill sets or industries which are required for a healthy economy.  For instance, if the Government ascertains that there is a shortage of medical technicians or qualified nurses in the United States, it may address that problem by allocating funding to stimulate education in the field of nursing.  In that way it can direct stimulus to specific social or industrial needs appropriately.

What is a Grant?

A government grant is monetary assistance that is funded by your tax dollars, disbursed from a government agency and is given to a recipient, normally a non-profit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. These grants are most often used to fund specific projects that relate to public support or stimulation of some kind and are guided by stringent rules and regulations as there is always a purpose or motivating factor authoring the grant.

A government grant is not a loan and does not require repayment.  It is a gift or endowment that is awarded to a deserving individual after establishing the criteria and eligibility.  The guidelines for meeting eligibility may be based on ethnic background.  It can be based on innovative research and development, physical or cognitive disability, small business enterprise, technical skills or commerce.

The system of funding and bestowing grants is essentially a “trickle down” effect where the government budgets for spending in particular sectors which require improvement or development.  The funding is then provided to local agencies for administration and then placed in the hands of individuals who will take the investment and create returns for their local community, state and country by proxy.  It is estimated that the United States Federal Government gives away more than $50 billion dollars annually in the form of grants and funding.

Who Provides the Grants?

Grants are funded from several different sources, both private and government provided.   Some types of grants are provided solely by the government and the funding for these grants is mandated by the Federal Budget with appropriate allocations to agencies which provide employment, social or medical supports to various populations.  The government also provides business partners with the opportunity to provide grants and endowments as well or to “match funds” to make the benefit of specific programs more far reaching by increasing the amount of funds available to be dispersed. Government departments are just one of the entities that award grants and there are over one thousand federal grants which are awarded in 21 categories from 26 different government agencies .

Additionally there is also a broad network of public and private trusts or foundations which are also sources for this type of funding such as charities, educational institutions and businesses, as well as private individuals who receive government grants to disperse to more local populations at multiple levels of administration.   The government awards larger grants to these organizations relying on them to assist with the task of examining needs at a personal or case-by-case level to ensure that those in need are receiving the appropriate available supports.

Who is Eligible for a Grant?

It is unlikely that an individual will receive a grant directly from the Federal Government. Can you imagine how time consuming it would be for the United States Government to process grant requests directly?  It would be costly and counterproductive for the government to administer support funds in this way.  Thus the process is to provide the funds to branches or agencies for administration.  These agencies help the government to deliver the funds where it will have the most impact regionally and benefit the greatest number of individuals.

If you are an organization or non-profit agency and seeking grants or funding from the United States Government, determining eligibility is the first step to investigating the availability of funds for your purpose.  An excellent resource is Grants.gov which lists the following groups as eligible for government grant funding:

• Government organizations such as State, local, city or township governments, special district governments and Native American Tribal governments both federally recognized and other, are eligible for grants.
• Educational Organizations, meaning Independent school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education (such as public colleges and universities), and Private institutions of higher education (private colleges and universities) would all fall under this category.
• Public Housing Organizations, including public and Indian housing authorities.
• Non-Profit Organizations, which are broken down into two categories; those that have 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, and those that do not.
• For-Profit Organizations, with the exception of small businesses; and,
• Small Businesses.

Keep in mind that belonging to one of these sectors does not imply that you will be chosen or that you immediately qualify as an organization.  There are other criteria including industry or sector, as well as population density (area and number of citizens served through the agency) which impact the decision to endow funds.   The intention of the funding or the program prospectus is critically important as the government has organized specific percentage funding to a variety of sectors in planning the annual budget.  A specific allotment is set aside for each sector but the reason and intended use of the funds is the critical deciding factor.

How to Apply for Government Grants

Applying for Government grants can seem somewhat intimidating.  If you find the grant that you are interested in, the details regarding the application process are somewhat intimidating on the onset. There is a very specific process that needs to be followed in order to attempt to obtain government grants.  The process usually begins with providing some very detailed information in the form of a grant package.  The specifics are always conveniently detailed at the bottom of each publicized grant opportunity and failure to apply in the correct manner will result in a disqualification of the application in whole.  With so many organizations applying for grants, it is important to thoroughly review the information contained in the grant package and follow the application procedure carefully.

In order to properly fill out the grant package you will need to assemble the following information:

• DUNS Number; if your organization doesn’t have one, you will need to apply for one at Dun and Bradstreet

• Make sure that your organization is registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov.  This information is necessary for moving on to the next step in the process and you cannot move forward without it.
• Make sure you are registered at Grants.gov and have your username and password handy.
• You will need one point of contact for your organization.

Grants for Small Business

According to Census data in 2008 there were 29.6 million businesses in the United States but 99.9 percent of the 29.6 million businesses employed fewer than 500 employees.  Therefore it is easy to understand why the Federal Government would wish to allocate funds to promote and support small business development.  The Office of Advocacy reported that there were only 18,000 corporations or large businesses in 2006.

There are many grants available for all different kinds of businesses.  Again, these grants are funded by the Federal Government but are administered by state and local programs, non-profit organizations and various other entities at the community level.   Some grants have a “matching” requirement or other sort of personal financing benchmark in order to be eligible, so they are not necessarily “free money,” but a supplement to help get your business started.

The best place to start looking is definitely the US Small Business Association (SBA). Not only can they help find information on grants, they also provide some very helpful information on starting a small business in general making them an excellent resource for new entrepreneurs.  Finding an available grant or browsing different endowment opportunities is very easy using the grant search tool provided by the SBA.  It is an excellent resource that provides a summary of all available small business grants in one location.   They also provide small business loans at economical interest rates as part of the small business stimulus.

ITA Special Projects provides assistance to varied organizations as stated by Congress in order to expand exports and to promote job creation by providing small-medium sized businesses with export assistance to specified overseas markets.  The intention of this program is to stimulate exports and create new business development partnerships internationally.

To assist various organizations identified by Congress to expand exports; to promote job creation through projects designed to provide small-medium sized businesses with export assistance to specified overseas markets.

Grants for Women

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has a specific department allocated for the support and funding of business initiatives for women.  The “Women’s Business Center Grant Opportunities” provides comprehensive information on the web including white papers on grant application and preparation, eligibility and a listing of available grants and criteria.  There are numerous alternative opportunities for supportive funds for female business owners including loan which “match equity” or investment (literally doubling the female entrepreneur’s venture capital).

An excellent resource is the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) which provides resources and networking as well as information and supports for women in the business sector.  According to the statistics published by NAWBO “Three quarters of all women-owned businesses are majority owned by women (51% or more), for a total of 7.2 million firms, employing 7.3 million people, and generating $1.1 trillion in sales” in the United States each year.   As such the Federal Government is dedicated to providing grants and funds which help create new jobs by the rapid growth of small and medium sized businesses owned and operated by American women.  It has established that the tangible return on investment in small business (particularly female owned enterprises) nets a very predictable improvement in the economy and much needed job creation.

There are a several different agencies that can help women find funding and loans for their small business, depending upon the type of business they are contemplating:

• The SBA, as mentioned above, can help guarantee loans for up to $75,000 for a small business by working in conjunction with your local bank.  One of the programs offered is called the LowDoc program. Its application process is much easier than that of a traditional business loan and can fund up to $100,000. These loans require a business plan and collateral.  The most typical business start up loan from the SBA is the Microloan which is a loan under $25,000.
• SEED Programs, or Self-Employment and Enterprise Development Programs, give unemployed workers a chance to start their own businesses by proving loans for them. Instead of them collecting unemployment, they are given training and counseling as well as other types of guidance in order to make their new business a success. These programs are not widespread and are only available in a few states.  Contacting the local state government office or the US Department of Labor in Washington, DC is probably the best way to find more information.
• Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) are private organizations that are sponsored by the SBA.  They make investments and provide funding to small businesses.
• The State Economic Development Agency provides small amounts of money and venture capital specifically tailored for small businesses (with an organizational preference for businesses owned by female entrepreneurs).  Information varies by state and is available through by accessing individual program sites for availability and criteria.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are yet other great resources for funding and general assistance with entrepreneurship.  They are generally found on university and junior college campuses.

Government Grants for Education

Education is a long held source of funding for the Federal Government with multiple grants provided to educational programs for a variety of purposes.  Funding is provided for schools and colleges and universities to maintain and improve facilities, for technology improvements and for social programs.  Many States also provide basic programs such as nutritional lunches for under privileged children in an effort to contribute to their scholastic success and well being.

Many grants for education are not viewed by the public (although they are a matter of public record).  The grants are applied for by the regional education administration and provided to schools for approved programs.   Part of the grants are provided for the basic functioning of the school and another portion of education grants are provided for programs and incentives which are deemed important depending on the requirements in that region.

Some educational grants are provided for scholastic achievement.  Again as with the archetype of all grants and government funding, the incentive is to inspire students to achieve success in secondary and post secondary settings.  The government also uses educational grants to draw attention to specific sectors which require more active entry into the workforce.  Engineering and Pharmacy, Physicians and technical professionals are supported by a plethora of grants designed to encourage enrollment in the specific program areas, creating new jobs and a supply of future employees in important industrial fields.

One of the more common educational grants is called the Pell Grant.  The Pell Grant does not have to be repaid and has a maximum award of $5,500.  The amount awarded to any student is determined by the student’s financial need, their cost to attend school, including tuition and room and board, their status as a full time student and the length of time they are planning to attend school that year. A student can receive two Pell Grants per school year and are applied for through an application processes by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

The Benefit of Government Grants

Government grants are a necessary business tool which provides support and growth to important sectors of the American economy.   While the process may seem to be complicated it is tailored to efficiently provide funding through channels for the realization of tangible benefits in regional areas.  Grants are in incredible resource and an opportunity that every individual in the United States has the chance to benefit from personally or professionally.

With more than $50 billion dollars per annum provided by the Federal Government in funding, it simply requires an understanding of the overall process and adherence to the guidelines to take part in programs that not only provide personal benefit, but those which contribute to the health and betterment of the economic health of the United States of America.

Grants for individuals are often much harder to find than grants for non-profit organizations and businesses but there are some grants that you can when you don’t meet the criteria of a business or charity. Finding these grants can take some time, and you will need to be prepared with a grant proposal and meet the eligibility requirements of the grant.

Grants for individuals are monies that are provided to people free of charge. These grants aren’t ever paid back and can be used in many different ways. For example, if you want to start a small business then you may want to apply for business related grants. Most grants do require an application and some even require a written grant proposal that outlines how you would spend the money if you were awarded. Many grant awards are given based solely on the grant proposal rather than on the application, financial need or merit.

Other grants for individuals, such as the Federal Pell grant, are very simple to get. A Pell grant is used to pay for a college education and can be used by anyone who is enrolled in a degree seeking program in an accredited college or university. It is actually very simple to get these educational grants. You don’t have to write a proposal but you do need to apply and supply your school with any documentation that is needed. Most schools disburse these grants after you have begun school and proven that you are working on getting your degree.

Finding Grants

One of the simplest ways to find grants for individuals is to begin looking online. There are entire websites dedicated to helping you find grants and personal loans to use to meet your goals. Government websites are also available for you to search through and use but many of these grants are given through local organizations in the community rather than directly through the website. For instance, you can find grants for developing rural land in your local community that are funded by the federal government but provided through the local offices.

Some grants for individuals are simpler to find than others. For instance, grants for going back to school are widely available through federal and state programs. Many colleges also provide grants to students with financial need or who meet the criteria for grades. If you are searching for grants for college then you may want to begin with a federal financial aid application. This application is simple to complete and doesn’t require any additional paperwork or documentation until you decide which college you would like to attend.

Most federal programs that provide grants for individuals are available online. You may find the application online or information on where to apply in the local community. If your community doesn’t have any local grant information through the federal website then you may want to use a grant finding service. These services can locate the grants that fit your personal situation and provide information on how to apply. A grant finding service is great when you want to start a small business using grants.

Applying

Applying for grants for individuals usually is a process that takes several steps. If you are applying through a federal, state or community based program then the first step is simply filling out the application. You may find that most grants have a strict deadline for applying so it is a good idea to apply early in the year. Some grants also have limits on the amount of money that is given out. Grants may be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis or they may be based on financial need or the approval of a grant proposal.

Knowing what to expect during the application process will help you be better prepared for getting the grant. If you need a grant proposal, for example, then you need to have it prepared before the deadline. A grant proposal can take some time to write so you may even want to have it completed the year prior to applying for the grant that you are interested in. Some local organizations also provide grants based on personal things such as churches providing grants to missionaries working in other countries.  These grants may not need as much documentation as other types of grants depending on the organization.

Getting a Grant

Getting grants for individuals can be difficult when applying for small business grants or other personal grants. The process is often very competitive and thousands of people across the nation can apply for and write a proposal for one single grant. Making sure that your grant proposal is well-written, informative and focused is one of the best ways to ensure you are considered for the grant that you are interested in. Many people rely on a professional grant writer to assist them in earning these grants.

You may also only need to fill out an application and supply documentation, such as your financial information or tax records, to be eligible for a grant. The amount of the grant will vary based on the grant itself, funding for the grant and your personal needs for the grant. Grants for individuals can be as small as $500 or as much as $100,000 depending on the nature of the grant and its intended purpose.

Getting Started

When you are interested in grants for individuals the first thing you need to do is narrow down the massive list of grants available to find those that you may be eligible for based on your personal situation and how you plan to use the grant monies. You may find that a grant finding service is the simplest way to find the grants that are available to you. You can also check out the .gov grant websites that are available.

Grants for individuals can help you start a small business, travel, get and education or reach other goals. You can begin applying anytime a grant is available.

As the recession carries forward, there are many people who have been financially affected.  When your wallet begins to get thinner, you need to start looking for some alternative ways to get financing.  It is a common practice for people only to consider traditional lending sources when they are in need of financial aid.  One of the draw backs of traditional lenders is they do credit checks and require you to pay high interest rates.  An alternative to traditional source of funding is the government grants for individuals that are available.

A government grant is the best kind of money that you will ever get.  This is because you don’t have to repay government grants when you get them approved.  Essentially, grants are offered by the government to provide incentives for individuals to pursue various activities.  There are thousands of different programs that the government has setup to help individuals out financially.  These grants go to worthwhile causes like helping you pay for your college education, buy your first home, or even purchase an automobile.  In 2009 the government even had a program where they gave you “cash for clunkers,” in an effort to provide incentives for people to buy fuel efficient vehicles.

The best part about government grants for individuals is that you don’t have to repay the money.  There is no hidden fees or ballooning interest rates that you will often encounter with predatory lenders. Unlike traditional lenders who are out to make a profit, government grants are designed to give people the assistance they need, which improves the economy as a whole.

The government gives out free grant money that doesn’t need to be repaid, however, they do expect you to spend the money on what the grant was designed for.  Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, the government will end up giving you very harsh penalties on you.  So if you are looking to apply for a grant in order to increase your pocket money, then you should probably look elsewhere.

Traditionally, the federal government has focused on providing a large amount of grant money for people who are looking to pursue an education or trade. Low income individuals who are looking for a way to cover from of their tuition expenses should consider applying for a grant to help pay for their education needs.  Due to the importance of education to society as a whole, there are a number of incentive programs that are designed to promote further education.

In order to apply for a government grant you need to be an American citizen.  Another pretty obvious fact is that you need to be at least 18 years of age.  So if you do meet these criteria then you should look for a government grants database to find a grant that you can qualify for.  Because there are thousands of grants that are available from the government, it is important to find a grant that you will qualify for.

Given the widespread anxiety over the economy, it is not surprising that the number of grant applications is increasing.  In tough economic times it is important to look for alternative sources of money.  Government grants for individuals are a great way to get gain access to additional funding without worrying about how bad your credit rating is.  These grants do not have to be paid back and should be taken full advantage of.  With proper research and planning, you will be able to find a quality grant that can work for your needs.

People who are looking to find a government grant online need to consider the different factors involved before applying for different grants.  The majority of the federal grants that are made available are usually given to the different local government projects, institutions, and organizations that are designed to benefit the community.  If you look closely you will be able to find there are some federal government grants for individuals that are made available to the general public.

The first thing you should be made aware of before you apply for your government grant is you will need to work to get your grant application approved.  A lot of people have a misconception that they simply need to put their name down on a piece of paper and they will have money delivered to their front door.  This is simply not true.  You will need to meet the specific criteria for the grant in question and fulfill the obligations once you have been approved.

For example, if you are applying for a small business grant from the government you will need to write out detailed outline of how you are going to use every dollar of the money.  This will ensure that you don’t take the business grant money and use it to take a vacation with your family.  The government wants to make sure it gets return on its investment in you.

Similarly, if you are to take grant money to help you increase your professional skills, it is important that you do what you intend to do.  There is no point in applying for a grant for education or trade school if you have no clear intention of attending the school.  There is accountability when it comes to using the grant that you applied for.  Be sure you are prepared to follow through with you obligations when you are applying for the grant money.

Because some of the free grants are becoming more and more competitive, it is important that you choose the right grant.  There are many programs available that are designed to assist you in searching for a grant that can work for you.  One good place to start is on the actual government website.  You can look up the various grants that are available to determine which ones can work for your needs.

If you don’t have the knowledge or expertise to apply for a government grant for individuals on your own, you can look at different agencies and services that are designed to give people assistance with applying for a government grant.  You need to remember that the application process on the government grant is extremely important.  Failing to fill in your application accurately and correctly will lead to your grant being declined.

Talking to your local government agencies is the best place to start looking for grant or aid money from the government.  By talking to your local officials, you will also find there are other opportunities for financial assistance that are available.  These might be opportunities from private companies or charity organizations that have set up funds to help sponsor certain individuals from different backgrounds.

Government aid money is another option that people who are looking for government grants for individuals have.  If you can get government financial aid you will be able to get funds without having the obligations of the traditional government grants.  People who receive the aid money are free to spend it on whatever they want it for.  This is why you should look at different sources of funding that is available in case you are declined for one.

No matter what kind of grant or aid you are looking for, it is important for you to analyze your personal situation first and foremost.  Anyone who is in need of immediate financial assistance won’t be able to wait weeks or months for the aid to arrive at their home.  They need to seek out the county offices, churches, or city hall to found out information on aid packages that are available.  The best place to get immediate financial assistance with day to day expenses is through church groups or food banks in your local community.

People who are keen on finding a government grant for individuals need to focus on finding the right grant.  It is important for you to seek out a grant or aid package that can best suit your needs.  Because there are different grants that are available for people of all walks of life, you will need to start by doing a thorough search on the web for the right grant package.

Interesting Information About Grant Applications:

With the economy in the midst of a slow recovery, it is not surprising that people are looking to the government for assistance. If you are looking for free government grants you are probably aware that there are billions of dollars that are distributed from the government and private sectors to different individuals.  With all these money available to the general public, it is important that you find a grant that you are eligible to apply for.

One of the great aspects of these government grant programs is that they do not require a credit check, security deposit or even a co-signer.  This is an important difference between applying for a grant from the government and applying for a loan from the bank.  Not having to worry about paying back the grant also makes this form of funding extremely appealing to people from all backgrounds.

When it comes to the different grants you can apply for, you have many options.  A majority of the grants fall into general categories such as housing grants, education grants, personal grants, business grants or medical grants.  While there are many other different kinds of grants that you can apply for, most of the grants will fall into these categories.

The first thing you should do if you are interested in applying for a free government grant is to check the application process.  Each state will have a different application process that it goes through.  Make sure you see if you need to start your application from your local state or government.  Checking the application process will ensure that you are taking the right path to success.

The next thing you should do when applying for a grant online is to look up the eligibility requirements for the specific grant you are interested in.  If you are looking to apply for a student grant, you will need to check and make sure that you can meet the specific requirements for the grant.  If you aren’t able to meet the requirements, you should look at the different grant options available.

Learning the various types of grants that are available is important because it can help you discover grants that you will got approval for.  Remember that there are grants available for almost everything.  Take your time to choose a grant that you believe will have lower competition.  Remember the more specific you get, the better the odds of you getting approved.

Once you have looked up the eligibility requirements you should then work to understand the deadline on the application.  Each grant will have a deadline to ensure that all the applicants get a fair shot at applying for the grant.  Once the deadline is passed, the grant will no longer be eligible to apply for.  Always ensure that you keep on top of the specific deadline for the grant.  This also includes any single mother grants that are available.

Now that you have found a grant that you believe you can get approval for, you should then prepare a well written application for your free government grant.  If you don’t have great writing skills it is advised that you get someone to go over your application with you.  The application is the most important part of the grant because it will determine whether or not your application is approved or rejected by the government.

Applying for Federal Help

Given the recent recession and hard economic times, it is important for you to look for alternative sources of funding that are available.  If you struggle with a bad credit rating, you will probably have a difficult time getting a loan approved from a lender.  One of the best ways to get financial assistance is to look for grants from the government.  In order to get your grant application approved you need to follow these important steps.

Research the Different Grants: If you are going to get a grant approved you will first need to look at the different grants that are available.  People who just expect to put a general application into the government to do realize how the system works.  You need to find a grant that will specifically match your needs.  If you are a single mom you can look for government grants for single mothers.  If you are a college student you can look for education grants.  Find a category that you can put yourself into.

Check the Grant Requirements: Even if you find a category that you can fit yourself into, each grant has a specific list of requirements that you must complete.  Going back to the single mother example, you may need to show proof that you have sole custody of your minor child and also an income below a certain level.  Each grant will have a list of requirements that you need to ensure that you can match.

Know the Grant Deadline: Every grant has a specific deadline when it will expire.  This is to ensure that the government has enough time to access the different applications and see who is eligible for the specific grant.  It is important for you to know the exact date the grant expires.  This will save you from heart break when you find out you are too late for the grant application.

Write Your Grant Application: This is the most important aspect of getting a grant approved.  If you are missing any information or requirements in the grant application they will reject your grant.  Not only do you need to have all of the given information, you should also be able to convince the reviews that you are in desperate need of grant money.  If you don’t have the technical skills to apply for the grant, you can go through government agencies that can help provide you with assistance.

The best way to get free government grants approved is to do your own research.  Always look up the various grants that are offered through the governments own website.  This will ensure that you are able to find grants from the government that you will be eligible to apply for.  Remember to take your time and fill out an application that can showcase your specific needs as an individual.

Information About Applying For Student Grants: