Francis Said:

Where should I start if I am interested in learning how to write grants?

We Answered:

Here's some resources on where you can learn how to write grants

Teaching Yourself to be a Grantwriter http://www.grantproposal.com/starting_in…
Minnesota Council on Foundations Writing a Successful Grant Proposal http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm
American Association of Grant Professionals http://www.grantprofessionals.org
Non profit Guides http://www.npguides.org/
GrantExperts.com http://www.grantexperts.com
Association of Fund Raising Professionals http://www.afpnet.org/
Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/l…

Amber Said:

How do I find someone who can write grants?

We Answered:

Be aware that good grant writers are going to want money up front, regardless of whether or not you get the grant.

You can find info on writing grants at www.sbirworld.com.

Joshua Said:

How do you write grants for a small business and who do you write them too? and about how effective is it?

We Answered:

Go to http://grants.gov/ and follow the instructions. You will find that unless you are a nonprofit, in basic research or daycare, there are no grants for a small business.

Sheila Said:

I need to learn how to write grants free. I don't have the funds to get an expensive program, HELP ME PLEASE!!

We Answered:

The best place to go is the library, especially a university library. Speak to a librarian and tell him/her what you are looking to do, and they will be able to guide you to the right free resources to help you with it. Librarians are among the most underused valuable free resources around.

There is also an excellent place called the Foundation Center (http://foundationcenter.org/) that keeps lots of information on grant resources available. If you can get to one of their locations, you can access their database for free (otherwise, it can get expensive). They also offer free classes on grantwriting and related topics.

Steven Said:

Looking for free CD that willteach me how to write and obtain govt grants?

We Answered:

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. 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.

Cody Said:

What are the best resources for learning how to write grants for nonprofit a nonprofit organization in NY.?

We Answered:

The Foundation Center.
http://foundationcenter.org/

Ernest Said:

Does anyone has any info. on what website to go on to let you know how to write grants for small businesses?

We Answered:

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, 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 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 a for-profit venture.

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. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html…

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALO…

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

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

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.