Where Can I Obtain Government Cash Grants?
When it comes to federal cash grants, there's a lot of misinformation circulating among the general population borne out of television advertisements or Internet sites. To suggest that federal grants for private individuals come readily and easily is misinformation and a clear indication of a scam, notes the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC was so concerned about con artists taking advantage of the gullible consumer public during times of economic difficulty that in July 2009 it launched a wide-sweep law enforcement effort called "Operation Short Change." That included a crackdown against companies selling information about government cash grant offers. Government grants do exist, but eligibility requirements are stringent.
Other People Are Reading
-
Where To Find Grants
-
The FTC states that you can get the names of governmental agencies and foundations that give out federal grants at any public library or through the Internet at no cost to you. The online access portal for all federal government cash grants is www.grants.gov, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The site includes specific eligibility requirements and provides a list of entities to which grants are allocated.
About Grants
-
Grants.gov specifies that government cash grants are "not benefits or entitlements." They are a form of financial assistance from a federal entity to an eligible recipient to carry out a public purpose authorized by U.S. law. Government cash grants should not be considered federal assistance or any type of loan to the individual; no government cash grant can be used as a form of personal financial assistance, such as to pay for utility bills, living expenses or medical bills.
-
Recipients
-
The lion's share of the groups or organizations that receive government grants fall into specific categories. Among those who are eligible for government cash grants include governmental organizations, such as state and local governments and municipalities; educational organizations, such as independent school districts and institutions of higher education (colleges and universities); public housing authorities; established small businesses and nonprofit organizations; and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Only a handful of individuals are eligible for government cash grants and can only submit an application for those available to individuals--not those limited to organizations.
Individual Grants
-
Most grants that allow individual eligibility fulfill a need set forth by public policy by awarding monies for research. For example, as of November 2009, the National Institute of Food & Agriculture offered a grant to individuals to conduct research on specialty crops, and the National Institutes of Health offered a grant to individuals researching the basic biology of aging. The National Endowment for the Arts supplied funding to individuals who translate specific creative works (prose, poetry or drama) from other languages into English. These are typical purposes for which individual government cash grants may be used.
Other Types of Assistance
-
Grants.gov urges individuals to ignore infomercials and websites touting "millions in free government cash grants"--these are rife with misinformation. As an individual, you may be eligible for other government benefits through Social Security or Medicaid or through your state's social services. The government may also be able to help you with a start-up loan for your small business, or give you a loan to go to college. To determine your eligibility for these services and benefits, see the Resources links.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of borman818
