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Beware of These

By Jillian Wheeler | February 5, 2009

When you spend some time on the Internet, looking at sites devoted to grants, it’s quite an eye opener.

There are some professional sites, of course, such as those that exist to provide services to non-profit organizations.  But there are hundreds of sites designed for only one purpose: to separate readers from their money, offering nothing of any real value in return.

Your warning bells should start to ring if you come across any of the following:

1.  “Review” websites.  There are a number of sites that offer “reviews” of the best sites on grants. 
The truth:  While they purport to be independent, these review websites are actually operated by the same companies that own the sites they recommend.  One of them even has a “Donate Here” button so readers can send them money to help them stay in operation!

2. Websites that promise “anyone” can get a grant. 
The truth:  While there are some grants for individuals in need (for medical bills, scholarships, etc.), most grants are given to people who have a worthy project that needs funding. 

3.  Websites that promise grants to buy new cars.
The truth:  No such grants exist.   There are operational grants available for non-profits to pay salaries and purchase necessary items such as automobiles and office equipment.  So if you establish a non-profit with a mission that interests funders and provides a genuine community service, it is possible you may work in the non-profit and be able to utilize the non-profit’s equipment.  But grants for the family car are a myth.

4.  Websites that state there is money to pay bills. 
The truth:  Many people live under tremendous pressure because of debt, and it is natural to hope these claims are true.  Unfortunately, they aren’t.  There are no grants for debt repayment.

5.  Websites that promise unlimited grants for businesses. 
The truth:  Businesses are not eligible for foundation or corporate grants.  A few government grant programs are available to assist businesses in special circumstances, such as retraining of workers, or when a business promises to hire employees in an economically depressed area or industry.  Occasionally, some cities and states offer Economic Development Grants to support the development of new business.  But all of these grants are few and far between. 

As I’ve written often, the one area in which government grants are widely available to businesses is the area of affordable housing.  Thousands of government grants and low-cost loan programs are available to assist for-profit real estate investors and developers purchase, rehab, and develop property to increase the nation’s stock of affordable housing. 

Grants are real, and they provide an exciting resource for people who are interested in accomplishing good in the world.   It’s unfortunate so many unethical businesses are using the idea of grants to target uninformed buyers.

If you have an idea for a grant-worthy project, you may want to consider our Grants Training Classes:

www.GrantMeRich.com/classes.htm

We still have a couple of openings in our current class.

If you are a real estate investor and want to learn all about locating and using government money to purchase real estate, check out The New American Land Rush: How to Buy Real Estate with Government Money.

www.NewAmericanLandRush.com

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