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Making the Most of US State Government Grants

Fund your business projects when you apply for free government grants

By Sherril Steele-Carlin, Freelance Writer
Thousands of dollars in US state government grants go unclaimed every year. That being said, you need to make sure you qualify for the right free government grants, and you need to understand the nuances of filling out paperwork to earn these grants. State government grant information usually includes paperwork to fill out online, or that you can download, but learning how to fill out grant paperwork correctly can help your free government grants sail through approval boards for quicker funds in your hands.

Making the most of US state government grants is easy if you follow these simple steps:
  1. Learn how to fill out grant forms quickly and effectively.
  2. Watch out for scams about free money government grants.
  3. Think outside the box when it comes to looking for free information on government grants and other funding solutions.

 

Take a class to learn about effective grant writing

Grant writing is more than just filling out forms and mailing them in. The best grant writers command top salaries because they know how to write effective grant proposals that will ensure grant monies are awarded. You can take online classes to learn more about free money government grants and how to write proposals that will win free state government grants.
Try: U. S. Government Grants offers information about free government grants and grant writing through workshops and online classes. Perdue University offers a tutorial that walks you through all the steps of preparing a proposal for free state grants.

Avoid scams and avoid paying for state government grant information

Many companies and consultants use the term "free government grants" to lure others into buying their literature, software or other informational products. By definition, a grant implies free government funds. Be wary of purchasing costly merchandise that boast of access to free government grants, they could be scams that take your money and leave you with information you could find free online.
Try: Grant Reviews Online reviews the top free list of government grants online, so you won't waste your money on information that's available free, anyway. Fraud.org offers an article on avoiding bogus state government grant info that you might get over the phone or by fax or the Internet.

Dig for alternatives to state government grant info - like private grant funding sources

Sure, government grants never repay, so they are a type of free money, but when you're looking for a state government grant database, think outside the traditional places to look for free government grants. Instead, look for search options that give you access to private funding sources, too, and specific items like free government grants for women, minorities, and other funding solutions.
Try: Community of Science (COS) offers a comprehensive database you can search to find publicly and privately funded grant opportunities. The Foundation Center offers an online searchable database for locating private and public foundations that offer grant funding for organizations and individuals.

 

  • It might seem like getting money for "nothing" is too good to be true. However, there are free government grants available for a variety of businesses and individuals. Don't forget grant opportunities like fellowships and study grants, too, that can help a student finish up that degree with the help of a federal, state, or local grant or fellowship.

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