The Grant For You

Allright, you’ve looked at all the options and have decided that a grant is exactly what you need. You’ve made the first step towards getting the money you need. The next step is to make things a little more focused and targeted. So let’s proceed helping you get closer to getting that grant.

Ok, you know that you want a grant. But you must ask your self: why do I need the grant and what will I use it for? What services are you going to render to others that will justify the government giving you money? What can you do that merits getting free money? That’s a pretty hard question, but don’t worry – I’ll clear things up for you.

Here’s a list of things that are generally covered by grants:

o Research into new technologies
o Development of new technologies
o Transferring new technologies to the marketplace

These first 3 activities are paid for from the federal budget. We’ll have a chapter on just these activities in a little while.

o Sing for the public
o Play music for the public
o Dance for the public
o Act for the public
o Tell jokes for the public
o Read poetry for the public
o Read about historical figures for the public
o Do a craft for the public
o Teach a seminar for the public
o Help a public group get organized
o Help a public group market itself

That list is very long, too long to put in this eBook. But I’m sure you get the idea: You do something for the public that will teach them something, make their lives better or entertain them and the government will pay you to do it.

You don’t have to be a world-class performer or artist or scientist to get a grant. You just have to do your research and see what actions the state you live in is giving grants for. Can you teach someone to work on automobiles? Can you be an historical figure for an hour? Can you show a group how to set up their accounting system?

The best way to get a grant is to look at what is currently being funded and tailor your grant application accordingly. This important first step will save you a LOT of time and effort and frustration.

Now I’m not saying that you should copy other people’s ideas! Just use those ideas as a springboard to your own approach to providing services to the residents of your state and perhaps neighboring states. That’s the number one secret to getting a grant!

Ok, now to start this process all you have to do is do some research on the state you live in (Most grants you qualify for are at the state level) so it is best you start there.

And here is great website where you can start on your reasearch. Just click to find your state and then go to the “Arts” section. Go ahead and look at the other sections for your state, too. You are specifically looking for any mention of grants.

http://www.statelocalgov.net/index.cfm

After doing a quick search just a minute ago, the first one I came to, I found a TON of grants for $5000.00!

Now you need to do the same thing for your state and bordering states. See what they are interested in funding and write down any that look interesting to you.

Now browse around on the website I just told you about, do some research and make a list of all the possible options.

Once you have done some research, move on to the next section…