Legitimate Grant Information Sources
Individuals, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions often receive grants. Tasks you might think are unattainable, such as attending college, are attainable with grants. When seeking information about these grants, however, it's important to target legitimate sources. Avoid situations where you're asked to pay a fee in exchange for an application. Also beware if someone contacts you about a grant for which you never applied. Grant information is available from several reliable and trustworthy sources.
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Foundations
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Foundations are an excellent resource for grant seekers. According to the Foundation Center, foundations are nonprofit charities or corporations whose goals include providing grants to individuals, organizations and institutions.
Grants awarded by foundations are normally for tasks such as scientific and cultural research, educational programs, religious activities and charitable deeds. Foundations award grants that are directly related to the activities of the foundation. For example, the Getty Foundation is an organization committed to supporting and advancing the visual arts. The foundation awards several grants to museums and cultural centers that share the foundation's outlook on the visual arts.
If you're interested in grants from foundations, the Foundation Center has a collection of foundation opportunities. The database is accessible for free from some public libraries. You also can check with individual foundations in your field of interest.
Corporations
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Corporations are often ignored when it comes to grants. Grant-seekers overlook this resource because they believe corporations are all about making money. The truth is some corporations practice "corporate philanthropy," which helps them build a good reputation with the public while also helping a good cause.
Target is one such corporation that offers grants in the fields of art and social service to schools and nonprofit organizations. In most cases, the best way to learn about these opportunities is by calling the corporation or by visiting the corporation's website.
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United States Government
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The United States government is a popular source of information about federal grants. Grants.gov is the central location for information on federal grants. Announcements, requirements and applications for more than 1,000 grants appear on Grants.gov. According to the website, more than $500 billion is given annually through government grants.
The Federal Student Aid Program is another government-sponsored grant resource. This program provides information on grants for students, teachers and educational institutions.
Colleges
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Colleges are a useful source of grant information. You cannot receive a grant from a college you're not attending, but the good news is most colleges have grants for students. For example, Yale University has a Yale Grants and Fellowships website that informs perspective and current students about grants at the school.
Contact the financial aid office or visit the website of the school you plan to attend or currently attend to discover if the school has any grants available.
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References
Resources
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