How To Get Grants - Some Tips

By: Robert Southwell
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:22
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It is human nature to minimize costs and maximize benefits. To the sound of free money, millions, each year, compete for stipends made available by the federal government, private organizations, and by state governments. These stipends, known as grants, provide a free alternative to loans. Grants are most commonly associated with college applicants whom, dreadful of incurring massive debt, resort to grants to finance their way through college, but grants can also be attained in order to start up businesses as well as support other private endeavors. Surprisingly, however, grants are the path less traveled by the majority of aspirants.

Speaking from my own experience as a recent college graduate, you DO NOT want to miss out on the opportunities that are being made available everyday for you to grab a slice of the pie. This article is designed to inform you of those opportunities and to shed some light on the proper means to go about attaining the Benjamin Franklins you need to escape an all-too-common pandemic nowadays– that is, the grim specter of debt.

When to apply for Grants?

IMPORTANT: Apply for grants early and often! I cannot emphasize this enough. Do not wait to jump on the bandwagon. Be the first one on. Every dollar that goes around is one less dollar that will be available to you. When a grant or fellowship is introduced you want to be one of the first to apply for it. The review board (i.e. those who review grant applications) will give an edge to those who appear to be the most motivated.

Secondly, grants are quickly being devalued as the cost of education skyrockets and business startup costs continue to escalate under the umbrella of big business. In addition, it is unlikely that grants will be in as much supply in the near future due to the burgeoning national debt—which approaches 8 trillion dollars according to the department of treasury. Consequently, this means the federal government will probably cut their spending on a lot of social programs.

Recent federal spending patterns and the volatile situation overseas suggests the majority of federal spending will be directed towards Defense. In the meantime, it is speculative but highly likely that the level of federal grants will decline sometime in the near future. If the competition is fierce now, think of what it will be if the federal government does follow through with expenditure cutbacks on its grant programs.

The federal government may also reconsider the tax exempt status they give to private foundations who distribute 5% of their total assets every year.

So to reiterate, if you are interesting in getting a grant, now is the time to apply! Do not wait for later.

How to apply for grants?

Surprisingly, a feeling of malaise often settles on those who are considering applying for a grant. They often don’t know the right way to go about applying and end up surfing the web blindly for grants that suit their needs and subsequently apply for grants they stand little chance of attaining. They often convince themselves they stand no chance of getting a grant and cease applying.

This mindset is fallacious. Do not be discouraged. The reason applicants lose out on grant money is because they choose their grants poorly, their application is banal and lackluster, or their searches end in dead ends.

Here are some tips you can follow when applying for a grant:

• Find the grant program that is right for you!

  There are literally zillions of programs out there, a lot of which tend to be highly competitive and/or do not suit your specific needs. Some programs are specialized, targeting specific demographics. Those programs are real bread winners if you happen to fall into the particular demographic the program targets. Be sure to follow up on those opportunities. Search for less competitive grant programs (most likely private foundations and/or state programs).

• Make yourself stand out from the crowd.

  Let’s face it. The review board has to read dozens and dozens of application. By the time they reach yours they may be tired or cranky after reading the same ‘ol stuff. Be innovative and make yourself unique in some way from the rest of the applicants.

• Apply Early and Often!
• Find a good resource that will give you writing tips. Nobody likes a bad writer.
• Have a family member or friend proofread your application
• Find a reliable, consolidated resource that will be able to point you in the right direction and provide helpful hints and suggestions when needed.

I hope you found the above tips helpful. There is a reputable resource I have found that will provide you with invaluable professional assistance if you are really serious about finding and getting the right grant(s) for you. You will find a link to it below.

Article source: Expert Articles