Finding a grant

Hello Sandi,

I was looking into the same thing. I also didn't want to spend another 1k to find out how to get these grants.

I know that here there are alot of gov programs for fixing up homes in certain neighborhoods. I still have not been able to find out the information.

I also heard that the government will give you forgivable loans ( meaning you dont pay them back but they are a loan at first just a little different than a grant)which I have found no information on either.

If you find out any of this information Sandi Please let us all know it would be wonderful:) There are a lot of homes out there I know would qualify:)

I will be doing all I can tomorrow to try and find this out, and will let you know what I find. But at the workshop they said that women have better chances, and if they are also disabled, you are at the top for getting the grant.
Also if you get a property that is handicap accessible, it would be a grant, not a loan.
These daughters are really nice, and I knew their dad, that is how I met them. And they had a bad situation, as someone was living in the house, and their dads bank was taking out payments from the dads acct from Jan. through April and this guy kind of stayed as a squatter, and the utilities kept piling up. He had drug parties there, and even stripped all valuables out of the house before the daughters knew what was going on. They have had a mess to clean up, the house was so messed up, and they are exhausted from driving up here to try and deal with everything.
So hope I can do something positive for them. And the grant may be one way to do it.
Will stay in touch with you about what I find out.
Sandi

Have you gone to Grants.gov? You can do a basic search with keyword(s) and start that way. It takes digging but all the information is available free through government websites like this one. You can also go to the library and look at books by Matthew Lesko (you may have seen him on TV - he wears suits with question marks on it). His books gather up federal agencies and the types of opportunities they have; you can look things up by states and categories as I recall. He usually has their websites and contact info. listed where you can get more information.

Hope this is of some help! Good luck!
Nancy

thanks for the info, but grants.gov was another one I tried in the past yr and got no where. And every time you try to find what you are looking for, it takes you to other things, and then asks for your numbers??
When I went on another couple sites including one for women and grants, again goes right back to send money and I have applied, wrote letters and not once have I ever gotten anything back. I then signed up and had to pay so much each month. They actually called me and told me where to write to and apply, did that, got no response. But they called me for another payment. Which I refused finally so they took me off of the list.
It is impossible, and where are all these people that say they get grants. You don't see the ads anymore for grants on tv like you used to.
So I am frustrated trying to figure this out. A friend of mine also has been trying for years. She owns a house that is paid for, that is in need of tons of work, and she lives there and is retired with health problems. She can't find any help either. Wish I was able to buy her place and fix it up.
Thanks again, and I see you are from Wis, where do you live? I now live in farm country in Jefferson county, lived in the Kettle Moraine State Forest for 32yrs now, in Ottawa and Eagle, had horses till 2008 and rode about 40-60 miles each week on the trails. Love Wis but still want land in Wyoming and want to get horses again.
Sandi

I have been trying for years. I have been to those seminars and bought the kits?? They ask for $1k+ up front to fill out these applications, and pretty much guarantee you by letting them fill it out for you; you will be approved and receive your grant. I have run into brick walls every single time. I visited all the websites with the same results. Lesko's book is pretty much outdated by the time you purchase it and most of the numbers are no longer valid. Lesko states that some of the information may have changed by the time the book has been printed and purchased.

I refuse to give up though and will continue searching for this information, but if anyone finds information please let me know and if I find anything I will let you know as well.

I have come across a person that said they received a grant, but would not share any information on it. I am saying to myself, it is not going to affect your grant amount by giving me the information because you have already been approved, received the check, etc...

Why do people act like that?

Sandi, I fear that this won't be an easy road to navigate. I've tried myself regarding other types of grants and government programs for something other than Real Estate, but the rules, the paperwork and even getting to the right people I found to be very difficult (though I suppose if it were easy they'd be swamped with people who only wanted free money without putting in any effort). And then many of the programs I found were for state/local agencies or non-for-profit organizations only. I wonder now with budget issues/cuts what is left? I certainly do wish you all the best on this and I hope someone on the site here may be able to offer more insight/help.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've paid places to get this information but nothing has come of it. Perhaps if you had just a little bit more money to spare you could hire a college student or stay at home mom who is looking for a gig on the side to do the research for you? I hate to say "spend more money" but perhaps if someone was hired to find results and even help you with paperwork maybe that would result in something. I really hope it all works out.

It's nice to meet another Wisconsinite! We aren't all that far away from each other, I'm down in the bottom right corner of the state in Kenosha County. We love it here - it's beautiful. And the riding of horses that you did sounds amazing!
Nancy

grants.gov is a good starting point. Just FYI steer clear of any 'government' site that doesn't end in .gov there are alot of .com's and .net's that offer 'will have money shooting out your keyboard' stuff. Or offer to do it 'all' for you. The Fed. Gov does NOT charge a fee for their services and/or information. Nor will they contact via email. (Unless you have initiated contact with a specific dept or contact). Most all correspondences will be via mail OR possibly phone but usually AFTER your contact with them.

The #'s they are refering to are your registrations. (in addition to D&B, you have to prove you are who you say you are, register your business, yourself and any additional requirements based on your pursuit). If you go to grants.gov and click on the apply. It will take you through a long process of crossing t's and dotting i's. Then once registered and approved (it can take a couple weeks because you complete, submit, wait for approval, get the code, log back in tackle next step, then rinse and repeat - lol), you can apply for particular grants. There is money out there, you just find and have to work for it. lol

But you can search to see their system. Shift and sort based on your entity, class and/or purpose.

It's been something I've been working (sharingly) on for about 6 mo now. Finally have all my registrations, certificates, etc.

but just fyi, for RE there is a stronger possiblity and availability for loans, forgiveable loans, than straight free grant money. It's depending upon your project, proposals, your purpose, your entity and connections. (Most Federal monies are allocated at the State, City, County levels for disbursement.) you again will have to prove yourself additional registrations and certifications from your State. Along with a completed Business Plan. Some have requirements as to how long you must be in business to qualify.

All I can say is dig in and research. Be patient and prepared to jump through hoops.

I do have additional links to sites I will post on here. (they are bookmarked on my home computer). As reference points.

just my $.02

blessings,
jen

Thanks. That's the best break down I have seen. I figure your two cents is at least worth two bits. ; )

I, too, have spent hours and hours on grants.gov trying to find money to fix up and historical, rooming house for low income folk without going Section 8. I always end up on a page that says the monies go to this or that organization for disbursement. By then, I am toast! and promise myself I will try again another day.

Guess I will go jump thru some more hoops.

Sandi, may I suggest you call your congressperson's office. Explain the gal's situation. Ask what funds are available and where to apply.

peace,

I have tried the grants.gov, will try again, and all you ladies on here, lets stay in touch and see what we can find.

Sandi