Q: Where do I get a grant to do what I really want to do?

A: Each year over 30 million people get over $1 trillion in grants and 98% of it comes from the government. They come from federal, state and local governments, as well as non-profit organizations. Over 50% of the federal budget goes to individuals in the way of grants. There are two basic kinds of grant programs. The first type are programs for people who have money needs. These programs help pay for special bills like health, day care, heat and phone. Programs exist that offer extra spending money or money to pay for food, or give you grant refunds because you are a senior or have a disability.

The other type are programs for people who solve problems, for people with ideas, for people who create jobs, for people who are doing things that government or non-profits want to see more of (like buying homes or getting an education or training), and for people who want to better themselves or the country. You don't get these kinds of grants for sitting on the beach; you have to play the lottery if you want that kind of money. These grants are for people who want to get out there and do stuff!

Remember that grants may be free and there may be a lot of them, but they are certainly not easy. But there is also no magic to getting a grant either. You just have to keep searching and keep applying.

Also, no one source will have a complete listing. The Foundation Center in New York City catalogs grant money from non-profits and they will point you to libraries in your area that have their collections. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office, will have an overview description of most of the major federal government programs. You are going to have to bang on doors at the state and local level to find a lot of the really good stuff. And there are also a lot of non-profit organizations that offer grants that are not part of the Foundation Center's criteria, like grants for adoptions or grants to caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. So you have to keep searching, and searching. If it was really easy, it wouldn't be such a great opportunity.

(My book that best speaks to the subject is "How To Write And Get A Grant." It comes with a CD-ROM that shows you 50 examples of actual grant applications.)

I hope this helps! Also check out www.FreeForVictims.Lesko.com for more resources!