Free Money From the Government

Complete Guide to Free Government Grants

Get Free Money From the Government

 

3. How to Apply For a Free Government Grant

Once you've located a government benefit that fits your qualifications the next step is to submit an application.
There are 2 options for you to apply.

1.  The first one is to apply online. For this you'll need to have the Funding Opportunity Numbers (FON) of the benefits you are interested in ready. Once you have these numbers hop to the following website page. The application starts with you registering to the government website and then proceed with the application process, simply follow the online instructions. Start here:
https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/IndCPRegister

2. The second option is to send your application directly to the agency that provide the benefit of your liking.

To write a successful grant application for free money it should be well planned.  You should be familiar with exactly how a particular agency prefers to have their grant proposals completed.

Once you decide which government agency you want free money from, contact them and ask for a grant application kit.  Get to know some of the grantor agency personnel.  Experts love to talk about their programs, so ask for advice, suggestions, and criticisms about your proposed project.

In most cases, the more an agency knows about your grant proposal, the better your chances will be of getting support from the personnel who ultimately approve your free money request.
Often it is a grantor's advantage to send their grant proposal summary to an agency official they have developed a contact relationship with, and ask them to review and return it to you with their comments.  Be certain this approach is acceptable with your agency contact.  You wouldn't want a first draft mistakenly processed before it was finished.

Making a personal visit to the agency's office in your area is also important.  Face to face contact will help you understand eligibility requirements, deadlines, maximum free money amounts you can apply for, and other details you want to know about.  You can also utilize an agency's library and determine through books, brochures, and conversation if there are other agencies you could apply to for free money.  There is nothing that says you can't apply for two, three, or more free money grants at one time!
Do some networking and maintain continuous contact with people who can gather information for you about free money grants.  Nothing can be substituted for personal contact with the decision makers who are in charge of grant programs.  Learn to use your personal influence (and theirs) to achieve your goals.

Applying for government grants: step by step guidelines

1. Browse the sources presented in this book to locate grant programs which are suitable to your needs as an applicant.

2. Determine a means of approach for making an application by considering:
Program Objectives and Uses
Type of Assistance Needed
Eligibility Requirements
Application Procedure Required

3. Check for an application deadline.

4. Refer to the Information Contacts section located within each program description for addresses and telephone numbers to obtain further information from the funding agency.

5. Contact the agency to determine:
Applicability of your proposal or project.
Availability of funds or assistance.
Answers to any questions you may have.

6. Apply to the funding agency for assistance. See below for help regarding writing grant proposals.
Tips for Applying for Federal Grants
Continuously seek grant opportunities.

Keep ongoing contact with organizations that award grants.
Decide who will receive information on grants, who will write the proposals and who will manage the grants.

Plan how the grant will be integrated into your overall plans.
Read carefully and follow the application directions.

Be specific and concise with information in the grant application.
Grant applications must be easy to read.

- Each section of the application should relate to the others to create a fluid document.

- Write short paragraphs.

- Provide headings for different sections.

Grant must be properly and professionally written.
- Include a cover letter.
- Provide an introduction with a summary of the proposal.
- Provide a table of contents if the grant is lengthy or broken into sections.
- Give reason for the need of the grant. Identify the problem to be addressed then narrow the focus to the precise use of the grant.
- Provide long and short term objectives.
- Present the standards for the program. What is the target for success and how will it be measured
- Give a future for the program once the grant is complete.
- Include a budget; specify administrative and program costs.
Be complete; try to allow time for review.
- Providing a high quality document, addressing all key elements will increase success.
- Check if grant needs to be reviewed locally under Executive Order 12372.

Get support from elected officials, business leaders and community leaders.

Follow all grant proposal submittal requirements. These can vary for each grant.

Do not miss deadlines.

Government Grant Application Forms
You need to read the requirements for the program(s) you are interested in. While some programs have their own specific application forms, many use the Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance (http://www.nist.gov/recovery/upload/SF424.pdf), for applications.

Copyright © by Bizmove. All rights reserved.