Went to a seminar today (free) and according to the presenters, there is a lot of Grants out there for almost any thing a person wants to do. The key being you have to think like the goverment and follow all their rules and regulations in order to obtain these grants. Since the seminar was free, they wanted some big $$$'s to assist you in finding a Grant and crituqe your application.

Is there as many grants out there as claimed? How do you find out what is available? Where do you apply? When is the best time to apply?

Are there any Grant experts out there or could anyone direct me to a compehensive source of information?

Thanks!

-- ken ballard (steelframme@yahoo.com), August 18, 2001

Answers

Go to your local library and speak with the Reference Librarian. There is a wealth of information about what grants are available in books published yearly. Some are in regards to private grants and others public (state, local or federal $). Qualifications and competitive criteria vary. Even ATTRA and other ag sources offer grants. You do not have to pay for this information.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), August 18, 2001.

The thing about grants is that they are never "free". No one gives away money without wanting something in return. They always come with strings attached. However, if you have decided that the "cost" of a certain grant program is worth the price you will have to pay, then one of the best things you can do is get information about proposals that have been awarded the grant in the past. That will give you a good idea of what they are looking to fund and exactly how you should package your proposal. Also be sure to get correct specifics on deadlines, etc., so you won't do all the work and then find out you're too late. There are professional grant consultants, but depending on who is offering the grant and the type, you may be able to get some free consulting from a related agency that is local. For example, your local Extension Service may have someone willing to help you apply for some Dept. of Ag. stuff.

And just an aside, something I have been hearing alot about lately is the concept of tying several related organizations together through your proposal. In my area, for example, they are big on proposals that include the local farmer's market and the use of the newly- opened community use kitchen. If you could get Soil and Water Conservation or some other groups involved, you might have a winner.

Best wishes, just really think it through and decide if you are willing to pay the end price when all is said and done on your part.

-- Lori in SE Ohio (klnprice@yahoo.com), August 18, 2001.

Lori has given very good advice about the costs of a grant and whom to contact. Granting agencies that I'm familiar with have program officers that can give you the best heads up on whether you would be likely to funded through one of their grants or not. Be advised that there can be a lot of politics to grant awards, sometimes overt, sometimes not.

-- charles (clb@dixienet.com), August 18, 2001.

first, ask yourself this ver important question.

Do I have the right to cram my social engineering down someone else's throat?

Then, realize that if it is a good idea, you should pay for it out of your own pocket. That way, you can demand a profit or if it is in the general good interest of mankind, then you have done your duty or simply a wonderful thing.

Using a grant, robbs you of your personna, the rest of us our money, and guarantees failure of the science in the long run.

I hope you are not just in this for the bucks. (kinda like farmers who plow under their crops for easy money or idiot liberals who cant pay their own way but want us to live up to thier ideal)

Think about it.......

-- skip goebel (sensiblesteam@aol.com), August 19, 2001.

What Skip said, big ditto!!! From a third generation farmer who has never taken money to NOT GROW ANYTHING or participated in any of the many stupid government "programs" that just mess up free trade and a free market!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 19, 2001.

Why? As in why would any group choose to give you money? Perhaps "why" is because you'll hire X number of employees, perferm scientific research based on your area of expertise, because you'll bring some new product to market, further your education, etc. Most of the money for these grants comes from taxpayers dollars. I certainly hope that these seminars are not teaching people how to manipulate the system to funnel money where it is not deserved.

-- Yup (Yup@nospam.com), August 19, 2001.

Skip, I don't see how someone accepting a grant from a private charitable trust to start a community program or ATTRA money for a well-thought out experiment will be "cramming social engineering down anyone's throat".

Any grant writing I have been involved in, from applying for to being on the board giving the money...from the local domestic violence shelter to a group working with youth in our community has had to be well-reasoned and thorough in reportage to the gifting agency. Some grants are only given once your program is self-supporting. Accountability is high regardless of the amount of cash.

Getting a grant involves a well-thought out plan complete with follow- through. You must be able to create complete plans, goals and measurable outcomes. It is vital to have good written communication skills. It is not unusual to have to attend face-to-face interviews with trustees or board members. Nobody or agency I know of will just send you a check in the mail to keep a herd of goats or save an endangered chicken breed.

It is unfortuante that these folks are telling others to pay them for information that is freely available at libraries.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), August 19, 2001.

Some organizations provide grants to cover initial R&D expenses in the desire to assist a small venture to grow into a source of income for a community and jobs for the residents. True some are government monies, however, many are private commerce associations that view any added business flow as potential new territory for their business also. Many good books are available at the library and bookstores on the subject. If any of you have ever worked for a company that employs 250 or more, odds are there was some type of grant money in its past developmental growth at some time. Another question to ask yourself. Anybody ever take student aid, student loans, scholarships or Pell grants to assist funding of their education? Even the student loans could be considered a hybrid grant due to its relaxed payback requirements so as not to run the recipiant into ruin. The G.I. Bill could also be considered as a type of federal scholarship/ grant program for soldiers that are paid for their services and are accorded the G.I. Bill privilages in addition to their service pay.I could never call any of these "wrong" as they help individuals educate themselves as productive members of society. Many grants are actually paid back by recipiants in the form of income taxes paid from increased income that is a direct result of a grant funded education and 30 to 40 years of hard work.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair@yahoo.com), August 19, 2001.

Subject: Response to yup who gives fake address Bingo Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 08:57:04 -0500 From: ken ballard To: Yup@nospam.com

Hi Yup,

You guessed it, the seminars teach people that fall into certain sheltered groups: minority, women, disabled, seniors, rural inhabitants, etc. how to receive grants and assistance. There are billions of dollars out there being given away in grants and other avenues by 57 + Federal agencies and numerous private agencies.

Paying extremely high taxes for 31 years of full employment and falling into a minority (Native American), being handicapped, and being in the senior group should qualify me for almost any grant. When I see so many people that are in a lot better shape than me receiving huge grants for frivolous reasons, the though occurs that something is wrong.

My general thoughts and knowledge are of value and if they could be applied and used, they would save this whole country lots of dollars. To sum it all up after driving junk heaps and living like a hermit, I am a little upset when I see people driving welfare Cadillacs, living in Mansions, and having all the 'niceties' of life which I can't afford, but am paying for with my taxes.

Yes, I probably will employ X number of people, create a few new jobs, do some scientific research, and apply the expertise that has been accumulated over many years.

-- ken ballard (steelframeme@yahoo.com), August 19, 2001.