Not a day goes by that there isn't some new Internet prophet proclaiming there aren't any grants for small business or that they're for rocket scientists only. Especially certain "Grant Writers" who go to great lengths to prove their self proclaimed value while telling people not to look.
Here is one example of an $89,000 grant for a new restaurant and an artist in Detroit.
Yep the rocket scientist being awarded this small business grant for RJ's Roost will be serving up the latest "high tech" chicken and ribs in Detroit.
We say congratulation's and good luck to this establishment for ignoring the Grant Writing know- nothings of the Internet and pursing a grant for small business.
Hopefully the people of Texas will also ignore these sages as their House of Representatives just approved a Small Business Grant Initiative. Details here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/6341196.html
Friday, March 27, 2009
$89,000 Grant For Chicken and Ribs! Shhh... There are no business grants
Government Grant Scams... cont...
We've done several posts on this topic and the feedback to date has been mostly positive.
Here's a little more details on what the underworld of the internet is up to:
The FTC described Jessica's blog in our video and apparently there are 100's like her:
http://wafflesatnoon.com/2009/01/10/scam-alert-website-list/
If you recall we mentioned these scams infest Google Adwords. Apparently we aren't the only people who noticed, here's a funny photo shoot of the people who are allegedly running the adwords fraud:
http://wafflesatnoon.com/2009/02/23/the-fake-google-grant-guys/
And here's a woman who got a little angry at the whole idea:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=5791054&blogId=471495587
And don't forget Snopes which recognizes the same thing we did... This year has marked a huge increase in scam type ads. This article focuses on emails however it does appear to be the same type of ruse.
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/advancefee/grants.asp
I love this article at clickz http://www.clickz.com/3633002
To be fair, Google isn't the only ad network allowing this. Yahoo also has similar websites infesting it's ad network. Interestingly, Yahoo allows it's advertisers to pose as Matthew Lesko while offering the scam which leaves the vicitim thinking Matthew scammed them. Which generates odd customer service issues when the victim sends an email demanding a refund for products that Matthew doesn't sell.
In the end, if you are looking for legitimate money opportunities from the US government, visit their websites or get down to your library and check out a Lesko book for free. Or consider buying the latest Lesko offer for up to date information and help.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The $1.98 Grant Scam Exposed By Matthew Lesko
Watch this video of Matthew Lesko and a government newcast on how a particular internet scam is being operated.
Business grants
MORE Free Money Programs For Business
Here are some other real grant programs for starting or expanding a business taken from our new book Free Money For Entrepreneurs. If programs are only for a given state or area be sure to check for similar programs in your area. The programs below represent only a sampling of the free money programs available to entrepreneurs.
Small Business Grants
$10,000 Grant To Start A Mom And Pop Business
$5,000 Grant To Sell Your Product Overseas
Up To $1,000,000 Grant To Recycle Toilet Paper
$2,500 Grant For Every Employee You Have
$2,500 Grant For A Craft Business
$100,000 Grant For Winery Business
$20,000 Grant to Prepare A Loan Package For An Apartment Building
$15,000 Grant For Small Town Developers To Fix Up Homes
$5,000 Grant To Help You Get A $300,000 Grant
$150,000 Gant For A Day Care Center
$25,000 To Fix Up Your Office
$10,000 Grant To Turn Your Barn Into An Office
$20,000 Grant To Start A Business In Orlando
$20,000 Grant To Start A Video Business
$5,625 Grant To Start A Sewing Business At Home
$90,000 For An Energy Efficient Business
$300,000 For Documentary Film Makers
$475,000 Grant To Run A Winery On Government Land
$250,000 To Make Videos For TV
$5,000 To Start A New Business
$32,500 To Start A Business In Toledo
$7,500 Grant For New Landscaping For Your Business
$250,000 To Start A New Business
$3,000 To Start A Home Based Knitting Business
$700 Grant to Start A Catering Business
$5,000 Grant To Start Your First Business
$75,600 To Start A Day Care Center
$7,000 To Fix Up A Day Care Center
$100,000 Grant For Day Care Providers
$500,000 Grant For Target Stores
$400,000 Grant For Home Depot
$1 Million Grant For Best Buy
$234,782 Grant To Train Technical Employees
$10 Million Grant For R.H. Donnelley Corp.
$23,623 Grant To Sell Wine
$150,000 Grant To Produce Snack Foods
$50,000 Grant For Machinery to Make Jim Beam
$580,000 Grant To Train Hotel Employees
Check out the website for MORE Free Money Programs For Business
All of this and much more can be found in the government money club
Help To Fill out government applications
Is There Free Help Filling Out Applications For Loans And Grants?
Applying for government loans can be can be a bit more complicated than a few pages of fill in the blanks, but free help is available to help you with this process, especially if it is for business or real estate. Contact one of the 1,000 Small Business Development Centers around the country that will help you fill out applications for free or next to nothing.
There are also many non-profit organizations around the country that provide free and low-cost help in filling out grant and loan applications. No one source knows the location of all these groups, but a good place to start looking is the Microentretprise Fund For Innovation, Effectiveness, Learning and Dissemination that is part of the Aspen Institute in Washington DC: fieldus.org/Publications/Directory.asp. You can also contact your local public library to help you locate a similar local source.
Will The Office Giving Out The Money Give Me Help Filling Out The Application?
Yes, they will help. That is part of their job. How much actual help they will provide will varies from office to office. If they are not helpful enough, contact an office of their superior or the office of your elected official for that level of government. For example, if you are having a bad experience in dealing with a federal government office, contact your congressman or senator located in Washington, DC. If it is a state office you are dealing with find your representative at the state level. Your local libraries can help you identify these people.
Can I See Copies Of Successful Applications?
Yes, of course. Remember anything the government does, it does in your name (as long as we remain a democracy). So when the government gives out money it is really giving out your money and you have a right to see how they are giving it out. This includes seeing copies of past applications. In order to protect the privacy of individuals, the government may delete some of the applicants personal information before they show you a copy. But thats OK. All that you really need will still likely be there. If a government office is not very cooperative in providing you with an application, you can request to be transferred to an office called The Freedom of Information Act Office. Every agency has such an office that will enforce your rights.
Should I Become A non-Profit?
Probably not, but like the answer to most any question, the real answer is, it depends. Non-profits are generally involved in one of the following activities: charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
If you are going to be involved in one of these activities then you MIGHT want to consider becoming a non-profit. But, start looking for money first, before you invest in becoming a non-profit. You might be able to get the money you need without being a non-profit. So why waste the time and money before you know for sure? Wait till you find someplace that looks like a good place to get your money and find out if their requirements include you becoming a non-profit. That is the time to become one.
Do I Have To Pay Back A Grant?
NO. NO. NO. Grants, direct payments, and other free money available from government offices and non-profit organizations do not have to be paid back, EVER.
Can I Apply For More Than One Grant?
You certainly can apply to more than one of anything. The worst that can happen is that you apply to 12 places and 12 places give you money, and some of them say you have to give the money back if you get it from another source. This is a nice problem.
Can I Apply To The Same Place Twice?
Yes. And this is true whether you get the money or not. Some believe that there are even offices that will reject you automatically on your first attempt just to make sure you are serious. But there are other programs that give out one grant per customer. The best advice is to just keep applying until they tell you to stop.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On A Grant?
As a general rule the answer is no, and you can always find out the exact answer when you find a program you wish to apply for. If the money is for business or for operating income for any organizations what you spend the money on will all be expensed before you pay taxes. Most free money for education and training is not taxable. And most free money used to pay expenses is also tax free. There are some exceptions to this personal expense money, but you will be notified well ahead a time if this is the case.
Do I Have To Have Good Credit To Get A Grant?
Normally credit rating does not matter. Why would they worry about how you are at paying back your loans? They dont want this money back. The government will even give you grant money to pay for college courses while you are in jail, but they wont give you a college loan.
About the Author: Learn more about getting free money from the government with Matthew Lesko Matthew Lesko Matthew Lesko is America's #1 Expert on Government Grants, Free Money and Information. He is an author, lecturer, and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. He has written 100 books, two which were New York Times Best Sellers
