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FREE CASH GRANTS

Every year foundations are obligated by their charters to give away billions of dollars. This is because most of these foundations are non- profit organizations and are exempt from paying income tax. Therefore, they must give away at least five percent of their assets every year to keep the tax-free status. This money is distributed at the personal selection of the head of the foundation.

Each foundation will have a preference in grants in which they will give to a specific cause. To get the grants you need you can look to other sources which can be found in your local library, such as "The Grant Register" or The "Annual Register of Grant Support Directory". Just be sure that you apply to a foundation that gives grants for your specific plan.

How to Request a Grant

You may need a letter of appeal, a grant proposal, or both. A letter of appeal is just a shorter version of the proposal. When requesting small funds you can simply send the letter of appeal. You only need to send the proposal when you are asked for more information, or if you are asking for $10,000 dollars or more you. Then you must send both an appeal and a proposal.

When writing a proposal the letter should be written on your letterhead and be signed by the head officer of your organization (If you belong to one) and should include the following information:

  1. A brief overview of the individual or organization.
  2. The reason(s) this grant is needed.
  3. The plan in which these needs will be met.
  4. Show the budget for your plan.
  5. Tell how your plan will be supported after the grant expires.
  6. If you are an organization you must show evidence of your tax- exempt status.
  7. An audited financial statement from the organization.

Important Secret

It is best if your proposal endorses one particular program, not for a list of different needs.

Also, keep in mind that most grants are given for scholarships or school funds, building funds, or religious purposes.

When writing an appeal

Be sure it is short and to the point. A letter of appeal should basically be an outline of your plan. Here are some things you should cover in your letter of appeal (If an you are an individual then only refer to what applies to you):

  1. Your plan.
  2. State your needs.
  3. Describe the individual or organization.
  4. The financial potentials of your plan.
  5. List supporters.
  6. The total cost of your plan.
  7. Describe how your needs will be met.

Please notify the web master if any of the addresses on our lists are no longer valid.

Here is a list of foundations that give grants for Real Estate, Businesses, personal, etc

Wheless Foundation, P.O. Box 1119, Shrevepert, LA 71152

Simon Schwab Foundation, P.O. Box 1014, Columbus, GA 31902

Coulter Foundation, P.O. Box 5247, Denver, CO 80217

Thatcher Foundation, P.O. Box 1401, Pueblo, CO 81002

Biddle Foundation, Inc., 61 Broadway, Room 2912, New York, NY 10006

Avery-Fuller Children’s Center, 251 Kearney Street, No. 301, San Francisco, CA 94108

Jane Nugent Cochems Trust, c/o Colorado National Bank of Denver, P.O. Box 5168,Denver, CO 80217

Unocal Foundation, P.O. Box 7600, Los Angeles, CA 90051

Wal-Mart Foundation, 702 Southwest 8th Street, Bentonville, AK 72716

The Piton Foundation, 511 16th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202

Frank R. Seaver Trust, 714 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Earl B Gilmore Foundation, 160 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Commonwealth Fund, One East 75th Street, New York , NY 10021-2692

The Cullen Foundation, P.O. Box 1600, Houston, TX 77251

The James Irvine Foundation, One Market Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94105

William Penn Foundation, 1630 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Blanchard Foundation, c/o Boston Sake, One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02106

Xerox Foundation, P.O. Box 1600, Stamford, CT 06904

Fairchild Industries, 20301 Century Boulevard, Germantown, MD 20874

Charles and Els Bendheim Foundation, One Parker Plaza, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

Blue Horizon Health Welfare Trust, c/o Reid Reige ,Lakeville , CT 06039

Broadcasters Foundation, Inc., 320 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Copley Fund, P.O.Box 696, Morrisville, VT 05661

The Hawaii Foundation, 111 South King Street, P.O. Box 3170, Honolulu, HI 96802

Inland Steel- Ryerson Foundation, 30 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603

Northern Indiana Giving Program, 5265 Hohman Avenue , Hammond, IN 46320

Cambridge Foundation, 99Bishop Allan Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139

Barker Foundation, P.O. Box 328, Nashua, NH 03301

Morris Joseloff Foundation, Inc., 125 La Salee RD, W. Hartford, CT 06107

Deposit Guaranty Foundtion, P.O. Box 1200, Jackson, MS 39201

Haskin Foundation, 200 E. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202

The Dayton Foundation, 1395 Winters Bank Tower, Dayton, OH 45423

Ford Motor Company, The American Road, Dearborn, MI 48121

Bohen Foundation, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50303

Yonkers Charitable Trust, 701 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50306

Miles Foundation, P.O. Box 40, Elkhart, IN 46515

Ametek Foundation, 410 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Horace B. Packer Foundation, 61 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901

John B. Lynch Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4248, Wilmington, DE 19807

Camden Home for Senior Citizens, 66 Washington Street, Camden, ME 04843

The Clark Foundation, 30 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Richard Helen DeVos Foundation, 7154 Windy Hill, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Muskegon County Foundation, Fraunthal Center, Suite 304, 407 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49440

The HR Block Foundation,4410 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111

New Hampshire Fund, One South Street, P.O.Box 1335, Concord, NH 03302-1335

The Shearwater Foundation, Inc., c/o Alexander Nixon, 423 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Here is a list of foundations that give grants for medical assistance, welfare assistance, financial help for needy people, and financial help for educational use

The Fasken Foundation, 500 West Texas Avenue, Suite 1160, Midland, TX, 79701

The Rosario Foundation, 100 Broadway Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106-2421

Orange Memorial Hospital Corporation, P.O.Box 396, Orange, TX 77630

The Perpetual Benevolent Fund, c/o Bay Bank Middlesex, 300 Washington St., Newton, MA, 02158, Attn: Mrs Kelly.

The Bagby Foundation for Musical Arts, 501 5th Ave., New York, NY 10017

Larabee Fund Association, c/o Connecticut National Bank, 777 Main St., Hartford, CT 06115

Battistone Foundation, PO Box 3858, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 uller Children’s Center, 251 Kearney St., San Francisco, CA 94108

Vero Beach Foundation for the Elderly, c/o First National Bank, 255 S. County Road, Palm Bch, FL, 33480

Smock Foundation, c/o Lincoln National Bank and Trust Co., PO Box 960, Fort Wayne, IN 46801

Glifilin Memorial, Inc., W-555 First National Bank Building, St Paul, MN, 55101

Clarke Testamentary Trust/Fund Foundation, US National Bank of Oregon, PO Box 3168, Portland, OR, 97208

Welsh Trust, PO Box 244, Walla Walla, WA 99362

Leading SOURCE TO GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Don't forget the US Government is the largest provider of grants. Subscribe to a bimonthly magazine called Humanities, published by the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 410, Washington, D.C. 20506, phone number (202) 606-8443. With your subscription you will get listings of recent grants by discipline, a calendar detailing application grant deadlines and guide sections for those who are thinking of applying for a National Endowment of the Humanities grant.

HOW TO WRITE YOUR PROPOSAL

Writing a grant proposal can be as simple as following the directions in your application packet. Add a little flare and your grant application can stand out, making your chances of selection better. Every agency bestowing grants has different rules for application which is why reading the packet you receive thoroughly is so important. The government is a stickler for details, so if you can't follow directions or make just one small mistake, your application will be disqualified.

There are reference sources in your library to consult about grant proposal writing in addition to the advice given here. It's best to read as much as you can in preparation for your grant writing duties. If you are requesting a grant for a specific idea or project, contact the agency after you receive the packet to see if they have recently awarded any grants for this type of work. If they have, it may be that no further grant money is available for that project.

You will then have to come up with another idea to obtain your dollars. Whatever your idea, try to enlist written support from individuals in your community who may know you and like your idea. Grant applications backed by letters from local government, community and business leaders improves your chances of receiving the award. Federal grant money may actually require these letters of endorsement. Your application packet will inform you of the specific requirements. Even if not required, support letters are encouraged. It gives further credence to your idea and may make the difference if the grant award comes down to a couple of applications and the agency is forced to choose.

If you have a partner or two who have a different expertise than you, add their names and qualifications to the overall proposal. Having assistance on the project often encourages agencies who make grants available as the project's chances of completion are heightened. Bouncing your idea(s) off the agency individuals who will be considering your grant request is a sound move. Many of these employees have been there a substantial length of time and will be well-versed in the ins and outs of grant obtainment. They often appreciate that you asked their advice up front and can do wonders for you in terms of saving time and effort in heading down the wrong track.

You could make, if convenient, a personal visit to the specific agency to meet the individuals who will be considering your proposal. There may be pertinent reference information in the agency which can help you with your proposal. It always helps to put a name to a face and a professional look will help you in their estimation. By all means, stay in contact with these people, especially if they work in the agency to whom you will be submitting your bid(s).

Even if you don't get a positive response on the first grant proposal, keep in touch! They can often tip you off to what future projects have a chance of being funded. If it's in your area of expertise, you have an inside track to the next fund availability. You will likely not be the only one writing for grant money, so you have to do a better job of it than your competitor. By making sure that there is: - a need for your idea or project; - sufficient research done on your part to satisfy the grantors; - no question that you are the best candidate to receive the grant; - time for you to spend reviewing the application process and preparing your grant proposal; then you will be ready to write your first proposal draft.

Here are the essential parts of a grant proposal:

  • 1. Summary. This generally outlines the proposed idea or project and is naturally slotted for the opening paragraph. Keep it both brief and interesting. It will be the first impression the grantor(s) will have of you and your abilities, so work hard on this part of the document. Poorly written, this opener could end your chances immediately. Conversely, well-written beginnings are encouraging to the reader(s) and improve on your chances. Be sure only your key points are in this portion. Don't oversell it with too much detail. Make this part easy to read, but informative.

  • 2. About You (and your Business). The next section deals summarizes your qualifications and those of any others that will be working with you. You may want to include up to date biographies of all involved. Let the grantor(s) know about your recent work and success, especially if you've been successful with any other grant program.

  • 3. Problem Statement. This is where you summarize the need for this project or idea. You will need to note your idea's purpose, who will benefit, how they will benefit, what socioeconomic area will be affected, hard data supporting the nature of the problem, what is currently being done (or not done) about the problem, what will happen if your idea is not funded and implemented and how you intend to solve the problem. This may be the longest part of your proposal. Get any supporting documents you need from local community and government organizations. Be sure you can defend all your thoughts contained in this section. It's the what, why and how of the grant proposal.

  • 4. Objectives. These are the actual means by which you will solve the problem you outlined in step #3. Outline them in detail, provide cost analyses of each to support your funding request and lay them out in logical, sequential order. The agency will periodically review the progress of your project or idea once the grant is given and it will likely be these actual objective points that will be used to measure your work.

  • 5. Detailed Objectives. While step #4 provided a summary of your objectives, all of the activities relating to accomplishing these objectives will be laid out in detail here. This could include dates, resources needed, staff needed, progress checkpoints, relevant diagrams, charts or drawings and all relevant detail. Highlight any innovative work that will be used to help accomplish your objectives. Provide any reference material necessary to back up your details.

  • 6. Evaluation. Here, you will need to identify the results that will come from the project. You briefly stated these in your opening, but more specifics will be needed here. The only way to evaluate the project may be from seeing if it meets the results expected. You are solving a problem, after all, so your results should be your solutions and their resulting benefits. Some agencies have standard evaluation techniques, so be sure you reference those here if that is the case.

  • 7. Future Funding. What will happen to the idea or project once finished? If it is self-completing, say so. If further maintenance will have to be done to keep the problem at bay, record how this is to be funded. You might be able to arrange for local support once the initial funding is depleted and the problem solved if it is something that requires ongoing work.

  • 8. Budget. While it would be nice to see the grant money fund the full cost of your idea or project, current federal budget cuts may not make that feasible. If you are securing other funding or have a plan for money to pick up the additional expenses of the project, let the agency know that. Write out a detailed budget listing (and justifying) the assorted expenses. You may receive all of the funding you need from the one grant, but you really shouldn't count on it. It's often easier to secure government funding if you have also tapped into other sources to help cover the costs, even if it's a small investment on your (and, if applicable, your partners') part. While these are the key elements of a proposal you will write, get as much help as you need depending on the size of the project. Obtain as much input from area experts as you need before writing the proposal. They might have excellent suggestions and could play a role in helping you to complete the various activities associated with accomplishing your stated objectives. They might even be helpful in writing certain aspects of the proposal, especially the details of the work and tasks necessary to meet your objectives. Do a first draft. Then -- get feedback! Give it to people who have helped you, or whom you trust to be properly judgmental about it. The best writing is done during the rewriting phase, so it's important to have people take a critical look at your first draft. You're too close to be thoroughly objective. That's OK.! Just know that you should get others to help you analyze your initial work in preparation for a second draft. Go through the same process with your second draft. This should be shorter and less feedback should come in if you elicited enough comments the first time around. Make any changes necessary and get it to final draft form. Then have it proofread and bound into a booklet for submission purposes. You're ready to submit! Remember that the grant should be written after you've obtained the agency's application and grant guideline forms. There are many places to contact for potential grant information, and your decision should be closely allied with your skills and interests.

Step-by-step to getting the grant that you deserve. There is no need to pay a third party to do something that you can do yourself FREE. If you do it yourself you will know that it's done right.

Good luck!