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Frequently Asked Questions


 



   This FAQ and the other pages on this website are here to help you do you own research.

   Due to my work schedule, I cannot always answer e-mails that are unrelated to my services.

   For more FAQs and information, check out my blog -- Deborah's Proposal Writing Blog -- or my Blog Sitemap, which lists the titles of all my blog posts.

Deborah's Proposal Writing Blog



Subjects Covered In This FAQ Include:

List of Questions Grants for Starting a Business Government Business Grants
Grant Books and Ads Getting Started With Govt. Contracts Proposal Examples
Sample Government Proposals Proposal Preparation Time National Grants Conference
Getting Started With Grants Quick Grants Where Can I Find a Grant For...?
Can I Get a Grant For...?
Sample Grant Proposals Individual Grants Government Loans
Education Grants Starting a Non-Profit Personal Grants
Ads for Free Money Home Purchase & Repair Grants Daycare Grants
Guaranteed Grants Grants by Phone International Development Jobs
Grants for Disabled Business & Other Loans How Can I Help You?
My Services My Fees My Payment Policy

 



LIST OF QUESTIONS
  • Where and how can I get a grant to start a business?


  • Where can I find information on Government grants for my business?


  • What about all the books and advertisements that say that I can get a grant for my business?


  • I'm interested in finding out about government contracts -- another source of "free Government money."   How do I get started?


  • Where can I find some examples of proposals that have been written for a Government contract so I can see what kind of information they contain and how they are organized and presented?


  • Can you send me a sample Government proposal or one that you have prepared for the Government?


  • How long does it take to prepare a proposal in response to a Government RFP?


  • I recently saw an advertisement for the National Grants Conference, which will be held in my city, and I understand that they can help me get a grant. Is this really true?


  • I just don't know where to start looking for a grant or writing one. How do I begin?


  • You seem to be saying that getting a grant will take a lot of time and a lot of work. Is there a way to speed up the process and get some grant money quickly?


  • Where can I find a grant for... (a specific subject area or type of grant)?
    Can I get a grant for... (whatever it is that you want to do)?


  • Can you tell me where I can find a sample grant proposal for XYZ (whatever topic you are looking for) or can you send me one?


  • Are there any grants available for individuals?


  • I am looking for grants to help me with my education, but your site doesn't seem to have any information on this subject.


  • Where can I get information on Government loans?


  • I am interested in starting a non-profit organization. How do I go about it?


  • I'm interested in a job in international development. Where do I go to learn more about international jobs?


  • Please tell me where I can get a personal grant to help me get out of debt, pay medical expenses, or buy a car, computer or home, etc., etc.


  • I see lots of advertisements for "Free Money" and "Free Cash Grants" from foundations and the government. The ads say that I can get this money easily, use it for whatever I want, and never have to pay it back. Is this true?


  • Where can I get a grant to purchase or repair a home?


  • Where can I get a grant to start or expand a daycare center?


  • Can you guarantee that I will get a grant?


  • I got a phone call from someone from XYZ organization who said I have been awarded a government grant. Is this legitimate?


  • I am disabled and am looking for a grant to start a business, or to obtain financial assistance for medical, housing or educational expenses.


  • Can you help me get a loan for business or other purposes?


  • What specific services do you provide?


  • Can you help me even if you are not located in my city/state/country?


  • We're interested in using your services, but don't have the money to pay you now. Can we pay you a percentage of the grant or contract after we win it?






    Where and how can I get a grant to start a business?
    This is a question that I am asked over and over again. The short answer is:
      There are very few grants available for starting or expanding a business unless the business involves research and development or high technology. Even then, the process is very competitive and involves preparing a detailed written proposal.
      A longer answer and explanation can be found Here.



    Where can I get information on Government grants for my business?
    There are some Government grants available for businesses (but not to start a business). For the most part, these grants are very specialized. In addition, many Government grants are not available year-round. That is, you can't apply for most of them at any time you please -- in general, you can apply for them only when they are announced by a Government agency. When an agency makes funds available for a grant, it places an announcement in the Federal Register which is published each weekday. Here's a site where you can find the Government's     Recent Grant Announcements. In addition, you can search for government grant announcements on agency websites (see Grants by Government Agency) and on the Government's own comprehensive Grants Website -- grants.gov. Also, the Government's Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) contains listings of available Government grants and other types of assistance. You can search or browse all of these these sites to get information on specific grants. If you find a grant that interests you, make sure that you carefully read the information on Eligibility Requirements to find out if you would be qualified to apply for that particular grant.



    What about all the books and ads that say that I can get a grant for my business?
    The books that you see advertised on the web and on TV contain listings and descriptions of many (but certainly not all) grants available from government agencies, foundations and other organizations. The books often include all of the information that you can get for free from the U.S. Government's Grants Website and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (see the     Previous Question for information on these sites. Many of the books also contain information on business loans, including Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and other types of Government loans. Information on these loans is also available for free on My Site and on Government agency websites. Much of the other information in these books can also be obtained for free on the web or at a public library. In fact, you may find some of these books at a library or bookstore, where you can look through them before you buy. If you don't have the time to spend researching and compiling this information yourself, these books might be a useful resource for you.

    But Beware -- what the ads for the books don't tell you is that the majority of the grants that you'll find in them are only for non-profit organizations, universities, or financial aid for education.  Most professional grant researchers and organizations who are seriously seeking grant money do not use these $29.99 all-in-one books. They use professional publications, CD-ROMs, and web-based subscription services such as those developed and sold by the Foundation Center which is a non-profit organization. The Foundation Center is only one of several professional organizations that compile and offer such materials. You can find others by doing some research or asking the Reference Librarian at your local library.



    I'm interested in finding out about government contracts -- another source of "free Government money."   How do I get started?
    If you're in business, you now know that getting a grant can be difficult. So you might want to consider government contracting -- selling your products or services to the Government. Like grants, Government contracts can be considered another source of "free Government money" -- money you don't have to pay back. My     Government Contracting and Small Business pages have links to a lot of information on this subject. But it can be overwhelming if you are just getting started. So here are some initial steps you can take to learn about the Government marketplace:

    Where can I find some examples of proposals that have been written for a Government contract so I can see what kind of information they contain and how they are organized and presented?
    It's unlikely that you'll be able to find these types of proposals. The reason for this is because they are considered to be proprietary and confidential by the companies that develop them. The proposals may contain proprietary and confidential information about the company and its programs, processes and procedures. Many companies keep their proposals under lock and key and/or restrict their access to a limited number of employees to ensure that the proposals don't fall into the hands of competitors or others who might be interested in what the company is doing. The Government assists in this process by providing companies with a means to restrict distribution of their entire proposal or specific pages of their proposals. On occasion, it may be possible to obtain some proposals through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but this can be a lengthy process and there are no assurances that you will receive information that is of any value. However, through FOIA, you can receive certain pricing information for a winning proposal, since this is public information.

    A few sample proposals for government grants can be found on     this page.

    Can you send me a sample Government proposal or one that you have prepared for the Government?
    Please see the answer above. I can't send you any Government proposals, including ones that I have worked on myself. Under the terms of my contracts with clients, I am not permitted to distribute these proposals or reveal their contents.

    How long does it take to prepare a proposal in response to a Government RFP?
    There is no standard answer to this question. Many firms spend anywhere from two to four weeks -- sometimes more, sometimes less -- preparing a Government proposal, excluding any advance preparation time. In many instances, short proposals can take as much time to prepare as long proposals, so length of the proposal or the Government's page limitations is not always a factor. Here are some of the key questions that I ask prospective clients when they want to know "how long will it take?"

    • Are you currently a Government contractor?
    • Do you have experience in doing the type of work called for in the RFP?
    • Have you prepared and submitted Government proposals in the past?
    • If so, were they successful?   If not, why not?
    • Has the RFP been released yet?  If not, when is it expected?
    • Is the RFP available on the web?
    • What is the due date for the proposal?
    • Have you read the entire RFP, including the scope-of-work, instructions, and evaluation criteria?
    • Do you think you have a good understanding of the RFP and what is or will be required?
    • Do you have any written materials available about your company and/or your products or services?
    • Do you have copies of your previous proposals, if any?
    • If needed, do you have complete resumes for the key staff that you plan to propose for this project?
    • Do you have anyone on staff who would be available to assist in the preparation of the technical proposal?
    • Do you have anyone on staff who would be available to assist with the business/cost proposal?


    I recently saw an advertisement for the National Grants Conference which will be held in my city, and I understand that they can help me get a grant. Is this really true?
    See the links below for information on this organization and decide if there are better places to spend your money. If you go to my Guestbook, you'll also find some comments from people who have attended this conference and/or who have purchased their program. My personal opinion? Stay away.



    I just don't know how to get started looking for a grant or writing one. How do I begin?
    As you might have seen from my site, there are many resources available to you to begin your search for grants and to learn how to write them. But so much information can sometimes be overwhelming. Here are some step-by-step suggestions for getting started:

    Finding Foundation, Private, Corporate and Community Grants
    Finding Government Grants
    Writing a Grant Proposal

    You seem to be saying that getting a grant will take a lot of time and a lot of work. Is there a way to speed up the process and get some grant money quickly?
    Many people don't realize that researching and applying for grants is a lot of work. You can't just fill out a form, send it in, and expect the money to arrive right away. Here are some things you should know if you are considering applying for a grant:
    • Grants are very competitive.
    • Many grants provide funds only for certain types of costs and expenses.
    • Some organizations accept grant proposals only at certain times of the year.
    • If your grant proposal/proposed program does not match the interests and requirements of the funder, it will be rejected.
    • It can sometimes take months before your proposal is reviewed and evaluated.
    • It can sometimes take months before you actually receive any money.


    Where can I find a grant for... (a specific topic area or type of grant)?
    Can I get a grant for...(whatever it is that you want to do)?
    There are thousands of grants covering hundreds of different subjects. Researching and identifying potential funding opportunities takes a lot of time and effort. Please understand that I can't take time away from my business to do this research for you and to provide you with information on specific grants on the subject that you are interested in. The links on my site are there to help you do your own research. You can also hire a professional grants researcher to do this reseach for you.

    With the exception of the information provided on this page, I can't tell you whether or not you can get a grant. Again, you will need to do some research to find out if there are grants available for what you want to do. If there are grants available, you would then need to find out if you are eligible to apply and what you must include in your grant application. Most funding organizations provide this information on their websites, in their literature, or in books that you can use to do your research.

    The following sites may be of help to you in finding information on specific types of grants and grant topics: Also, see what I have to say about Free money grant books and ads.



    Can you tell me where I can find a sample grant proposal for XYZ (whatever topic you are looking for) or send me one?
    Some non-profit organizations and grantwriters who write proposals for non-profits have generously made their proposals available on the web. You'll find links to a few of these on my     Sample Grant Proposals Page. You may find others by doing some searches. The Grantsmanship Center also sells CD-ROMs of successful Government grant proposals. Additionally, some foundations and other funding organizations may be willing to provide you with copies of proposals that they have previously funded. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to find and send you any grant proposals, and I can't provide you with copies of any proposals that I have done for my own clients.

    Are there any grants available for individuals?
    Yes, there are some grants available for individuals. Many of these are for financial aid for education and the arts. Here are a few sites to look at:

    I am looking for grants to help me with my education, but your site doesn't seem to have any information on this subject.
    I'm sorry to say that this is a specialized area that I do not cover. There are hundreds of excellent sites on the web that deal with scholarships and financial aid for education. If you do a search on these terms, you will find a wealth of information. Here are some sites to get you started:

    Where can I get information on Government loans?
    You can start with my Government Loans and Financial Resources Page.

    Loans for small businesses are available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can get information on these loans at the SBA Website

    SBA loans are administered through local banks, so you should contact banks in your local area (or online banks) to get more detailed information. They will tell you about the eligibility requirements and what you need to do to apply.    /

    I am interested in starting a non-profit organization. How do I go about it?
    Here are two excellent sites that will tell you all you need to know about starting and operating a non-profit organization

    I’m interested in a job in international development. Where do I go to learn more about international jobs?
    Many people ask me this question because I have been involved in international development for many years. There seems to be a lot of interest in working on international development projects. This industry can be hard to navigate because there are so many donor agencies and NGOs recruiting. I recommend you visit the leading     international development jobs website at Devex.com. You’ll find lots of international jobs and other useful information about the business of development.



    Please tell me where I can get a personal grant.
    You can contact Government agencies in your county and state to find out if there is any financial assistance that may be available to you. Your state and local government may have programs that provide medical, food, housing, transportation, daycare and other types of financial assistance to those in need.   If you need assistance in paying your bills or consolidating your debts, there are     Nonprofit Organizations that can help you.

    Check out Needy Meds to get information on financial assistance for purchasing prescription drugs.

    I see lots of advertisements for "Free Money" and "Free Cash Grants" from foundations and the government. The ads say that I can get this money easily, use it for whatever I want, and never have to pay it back. Is this true?
    Do you know the saying "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?"

    The books that you see advertised on the web and on TV contain listings and descriptions of many (but certainly not all) grants available from government agencies, foundations and other organizations. The books often include all of the information that you can get for free from the U.S. Government's Grants Website, the Foundation Center, other grantmaking organizations on the web, and a good public library. You may find some of these books at a library or bookstore, where you can look through them before you buy. If you don't have the time to spend researching and compiling this information yourself, these books might be a useful resource for you.

    But Beware -- what the ads for the books don't tell you is that the majority of the grants that you'll find in them are only for non-profit organizations, universities, or financial aid for education.  Most professional grant researchers and organizations who are seriously seeking grant money do not use these $29.99 all-in-one books. They use professional publications, CD-ROMs, and web-based subscription services such as those developed and sold by the Foundation Center which is a non-profit organization. The Foundation Center is only one of several professional organizations that compile and offer such materials. You can find others by doing some research or asking the Reference Librarian at your local library.

    Read the article I've written on How to Look for and Find Free Money.



    Where can I get a grant to purchase or repair a home?
    Start by contacting your state and local Department of Housing and/or Department of Social Services to find out if there is any financial or free assistance available to you. You can also search on the web for non-profit organizations in your state or community that might be able to help with home ownership or home repairs. Below are two national non-profit organizations that use volunteers to help build or repair homes.

     Here are some other sites to look at:
    Please note that I cannot provide you with any other information or assistance in this area.



    Where can I get a grant to start or expand a daycare center?
    Below is a site where you can get some information on this subject. Please note that I cannot provide you with any other information or assistance in this area.

    Can you guarantee that I will get a grant?
    No, I can't. Don't be taken in by books or people who guarantee you will get a grant. Unless you are willing to risk going to prison for bribing or trying to bribe someone from a funding agency, no one can guarantee that you will get a grant. If a grantwriting organization, an individual grantwriter, or a book tells you that a grant is guaranteed, this is a signal that they are dishonest. Don't contract for their services, pay them any money, or buy their book. There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant.



    I got a phone call from someone from XYZ organization who said I have been awarded a government grant. Is this legitimate?
    This is a common scam. Someone from a legitimate-sounding organization calls you and says you have won a government grant for thousands of dollars and they will send you the money as soon as you give them your bank account number. If this happens to you, hang up right away. Do not give the caller ANY information, especially your bank account number or credit card number. If you have already given such information to the caller, you need to contact your bank and/or credit card issuer right away to try to prevent your money from being stolen.



    I am disabled and am looking for a grant to start a business, or to obtain financial assistance for medical, housing or educational expenses.
    Many grants to assist disabled individuals are given to local and national non-profit and community organizations which in turn provide programs and services for the disabled. You can find some of these organizations by doing searches on the web or by contacting your state or local Department of Social Services. The websites below might help you get started. Please note that I cannot provide you with any other information or assistance in this area.

    Can you help me get a loan for business or other purposes?
    Sorry, but I cannot help you get any type of loan, and I cannot provide you with any additional information on this subject.  For business loans, you may be able to find some assistance by doing a internet search on "loan packaging services."  The     Small Business Administration office in your state, SCORE, your local Small Business Development Center, and other similar organizations can also provide you with free advice and assistance with respect to business loans.

    What specific services do you provide?
    A description of my services can be found on     This Page

    Please note that I provide services only to established for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations. I do not provide services to individuals.

    What do you charge?
    Please     Contact Me for information about my fees. As stated below, I do not work on a percentage, commission, or contingency basis.

    We can't pay you now, but when we win the grant/contract, we'll pay you a commission or a percentage of the amount.
    This is called "working on a contingency basis," and it's something that I don't do. That is, I get paid at the time that I do the work, whether or not my client wins the grant or contract. The primary reason for this is that a proposal is only one of several factors in an award decision. Many excellent proposals do not get funded despite everyone's hard work and best efforts. And although there seem to be many rumors to the contrary, in actuality there are very few proposal writers who will agree to work on a contingency basis. With Government contracts, you cannot include the cost of proposal preparation in your budget as a direct cost -- it must be part of your company's overhead or G&A, or it must be paid out of your profits. With regard to grants, most foundations and other grantmaking organizations will not permit you to use grant funds to pay a grantwriter.

    Click Here for further explanation and more detailed discussion of this issue.
    Can you help me even though you are not located in my city/state/country?
    Sure.  With technology these days, most anything can be done from afar. I often never see my clients. We communicate via e-mail and phone, send files via e-mail, and send documents by fax and overnight mail. I can also work on-site at a client's office if that is desired.




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