Bundle of money

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Do you need cash for your community project?  Take the time to locate and identify government agencies that award grant money.  Funds are available for specific purposes, and in precise subject areas.  Finding these grants takes time, effort and research.

If you see an ad that claims to offer grant money with an extraordinarily easy process, don’t believe a single word.  That ad is clearly a scam.  You will not find free money without effort, and you will always have to answer for it in one way or another.

The phrase “free government grant money” is actually something of a misnomer. It is true that government grant money doesn’t have to be repaid, but that doesn’t mean that the money comes without obligation.  There may also be sanctions imposed if any of these obligations are not met.  In addition, you may be restricted as to how you may spend the funds you’ve been given. For example, the money should only be used in relation to your project, and you should not stray from the objectives of the funding agency.

If you are looking for funding for a new or existing for-profit business, you may find it difficult to find and receive government grant money.  The federal government usually provides funding strictly for non-profit organizations, dedicated to programs and services that benefit the community or the public as a whole. This is not to say, however, that government grant money is unavailable to entrepreneurs looking for a break or a foothold in the ever-changing business landscape.

When looking for available government grant money, the first place you should check is the U.S. Government’s Grants website at grants.gov. This site will allow you to search out and electronically apply for competitive grant opportunities from all agencies offering federal grants.

Finding free government grant money is a lot easier for you at this site.  Everything, including the application and approval process, is automated for your convenience.  You can also obtain information on all sorts of free government grant programs, and the government agencies that provide the grants.  In the case of future grants, this website gives you the option to sign up for instant notification of future grant opportunities.

In addition to grants.gov, you can also take a look at the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) for government grant money. Search online at CFDA.gov for a listing of various government grants and other types of assistance, from home owners’ aid to house rentals, and even small business start-up opportunities.

The CFDA provides information on available government grant money by category and topic area.  You can also search the catalog by other methods, including key words.  If you find a grant that interests you, take the time to carefully read the section on eligibility requirements, making sure that you will be qualified to apply for that particular grant.

No matter where you decide to search for government grant money, keep in mind that most government grants are not available year-round.  In other words, you can’t simply apply at your convenience. Whenever a government agency announces that it’s offering government grant money, get busy and apply right away.

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