Where do I begin?
First, are you eligible for a grant?
- Most foundations will only fund organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt,
nonprofit status from the IRS.
- For information on 501(c)(3) status, click here.
- Schools are not-for-profits, but do not automatically receive 501(c)(3)
status. Some foundations will consider proposals on official school
letterhead, while others require 501(c)(3) status. For information on
starting your own local education foundation, click here.
- The National Association of State
Charity Officials offers state-specific information on the
requirements and procedures for forming charitable organizations.
- Recommended resource: How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in
California (book with CD-Rom) by Anthony Mancuso. In circulation at
the Grant Resource Center.
- Next, the grant-seeking process can be an arduous one. Here are some questions
to consider:
- Do you have the support of your superintendent/principal/leadership
team?
- Do you have the time and resources to put together a successful grant
proposal?
- After you have submitted your proposal, you may have to wait 3-6 months
before an answer (and hopefully a check) arrive. Can you wait that long?
Think a grant might be the right answer for you? The next step is to
research potential funders.
- If you’re not eligible for grants, consider:
- For businesses: Because most grants are designed to help
nonprofit organizations, people running for-profit agencies might be
better served looking for Small Business
Assistance. The Federal Small Business Administration does not fund
direct loans, but they do guarantee loans offered by their lending
partners, which helps tens of thousands of small businesses every year
get the financing they wouldn't otherwise qualify for. If you're looking
to start up your own small business, check out their FAQ
page.
- For students: Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
- Student Financial
Assistance Resources from the U.S. Department of Education is a
great portal to federal financial aid for students, including links to
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and
Financial Aid Information. If you're looking for federal money for
college, you should definitely read through the information on the
Financial Aid Information page and visit the links provided there.
- FastWeb is a helpful website for
students who are searching for scholarships.
- FinAid provides a free,
comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial
aid.
- Collegiate
Funding - Scholarship Search provides information and access to free
scholarship search engines.
- For federally guaranteed student loans, visit SallieMae.
- If you are currently enrolled in a institute of higher education, make
an appointment with the Financial Aid Office. They are there to
help you find the combination of scholarships, loans, and financial aid
that will make it possible for you to complete your education.
* Please note: The Grant Resource Center focuses exclusively on providing
resources around grants. The resources listed above for small business and
students are the full extent of our services to individuals seeking
financial support.
Date last updated: July 23, 2008
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