If someone offered you free money, would you accept it? Okay, so the term ‘free money,’may be stretching it a bit. But imagine being offered money from an outside source if you needed it. Free grants do just that, but these grants aren’t a ticket to splurge at the mall. You must have a reason for wanting the money. Maybe you need a few thousand dollars to start a business or to complete your education. These free grants may not ensure success, but they will give you the chance to succeed.
Grants are usually divided into two categories: government and private. Government monies are generally used for projects that will help the common man, like training workers, fixing up a neighborhood, or helping a mother who used to be on welfare find a job. Many private funds are non-profit organizations that want to help you or your cause. Both sources hold grants for many kind of people, including women, minorities, veterans, and young children.
Searching for free grants is not as hard as you might think. One of the first places you should search is our pal, the Internet. Type in “free grants” on any search engine and you will be bombarded with many types of websites that will try to search for grants on your behalf. Of course, there may be a fee involved. The fee could prove even more costly if the website isn’t legitimate. If you are a little apprehensive about online services, head to your local bookstore or library. You can find dozens of books that will help you find the right grant for you.
One of the foremost authorities on “free money” is Matthew Lesko; you know the guy in the commercials with a question mark suit? He has helped many people search for grants that will benefit them. He also has a book on the market about obtaining meaningful money from the government or other legal sources.
Now, here are three specific examples of the types of grants that will help you achieve your dream:
Small business grants
Have you ever imagined being your own boss? Well, obtaining a small business grant is a great step in the right direction. Granters will give money to those who usually have a solid business plan.
College grants
Before you start the business, you may want to go back to school. The problem is, you may not have the funds to do so. There are thousands of grants that will help you meet the cost of constantly rising tuition.
Helping the community
Is your motive for obtaining a grant 100% selfless? Maybe you want a grant to open a community center, run special after school programs, or beautify the neighborhood with beautiful murals.
But that’s not all. There are also grants catering to artists, writers, and struggling families.
Please remember that while finding free grants isn’t hard, obtaining them is a different ballgame. The government will follow specific rules when handing out grant money. If you don’t qualify, you won’t get the grant.
By Michelle Presbury