What those ads don't tell you about government grants
Between e-mail spam, Internet pop-ups and late-night TV, consumers are being flooded with offers for free government grants.
Because of the economy a lot of people are tempted to pay for the information, but hang on to your money.
Search the Internet and you'll find any number of Web sites promising free government money with no obligation.
Some offers are now even refer the Obama stimulus package.
Common deceptions include legitimate-sounding names, authentic looking Web sites, the promise of free money for personal use and money-back guarantees.
If you see or get a grant offer that asks for any money, that's a big red flag to stay away.
With real government grants, you never have to pay for information. Grant information is free, and so is the help to find grants you may qualify for.
But you should be aware that most grants available are for cities and nonprofit organizations. There are very strict qualifications and the grants are designed for specific categories.
You must have a specific need. For example, a grant for travel expenses for an artists to take their exhibition to another city or a research grant for a nonprofit dealing with disabled adults.
But if you're looking for money to help pay rent or pay off your school loans, a government grant is not the place to go. When you see ads claiming there's government money for personal assistance, they're walking about social services agencies and public assistance.
With few exceptions, you cannot get a free government grant for personal financial help.
In King County, both the downtown Seattle Library and the Redmond Regional Library have Fundraising Resource Centers with grant specialists who can help you.
There are also web sites that tell you what kind of grants are available and what's required to apply.
But regardless of the claims, avoid offers that you see or hear on TV, in e-mail spam and especially on the Internet. Remember, if you have to spend any money, the only people who'll make money will be the people promoting the offer.
More information:
Government Grant Money Scams
'Free Government Grants': Don't Take Them For Grant-ed
Home Business Grants: Is There Really Free Money Available for Your Home Business Needs?
Government Grant Scams
Free grant information:
Seattle Public Library
Grants.gov
Foundation Center: Cooperating Collections
Foundation Center: Individual Grantseekers
Because of the economy a lot of people are tempted to pay for the information, but hang on to your money.
Search the Internet and you'll find any number of Web sites promising free government money with no obligation.
Some offers are now even refer the Obama stimulus package.
Common deceptions include legitimate-sounding names, authentic looking Web sites, the promise of free money for personal use and money-back guarantees.
If you see or get a grant offer that asks for any money, that's a big red flag to stay away.
With real government grants, you never have to pay for information. Grant information is free, and so is the help to find grants you may qualify for.
But you should be aware that most grants available are for cities and nonprofit organizations. There are very strict qualifications and the grants are designed for specific categories.
You must have a specific need. For example, a grant for travel expenses for an artists to take their exhibition to another city or a research grant for a nonprofit dealing with disabled adults.
But if you're looking for money to help pay rent or pay off your school loans, a government grant is not the place to go. When you see ads claiming there's government money for personal assistance, they're walking about social services agencies and public assistance.
With few exceptions, you cannot get a free government grant for personal financial help.
In King County, both the downtown Seattle Library and the Redmond Regional Library have Fundraising Resource Centers with grant specialists who can help you.
There are also web sites that tell you what kind of grants are available and what's required to apply.
But regardless of the claims, avoid offers that you see or hear on TV, in e-mail spam and especially on the Internet. Remember, if you have to spend any money, the only people who'll make money will be the people promoting the offer.
More information:
Government Grant Money Scams
'Free Government Grants': Don't Take Them For Grant-ed
Home Business Grants: Is There Really Free Money Available for Your Home Business Needs?
Government Grant Scams
Free grant information:
Seattle Public Library
Grants.gov
Foundation Center: Cooperating Collections
Foundation Center: Individual Grantseekers