$100,000 Grants for Songwriters…
… The grant funds are provided to preserve and enhance the legacy of Johnny Mercer as well as providing educational programs for music appreciation, assisting in the development of songwriters, and enhance the general appreciation of American popular music. Grants are awarded nationwide. Contact: The Johnny Mercer Foundation, c/o Prager and Fenton, 675 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017; (212) 382-2790; http://www.johnnymercerfoundation.org/
Application Address: The John Mercer Foundation, 234 W. 44th St., Ste. 901, New York, NY 10036; (212) 835-2299

$10,000 Grants for High School Seniors…
… The Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation Scholarships are awarded to economically disadvantaged public high school seniors in Washington DC. These scholarships are available to help them defer college expenses at a four-year accredited institution. Contact: Scholarship Committee, The Frederick B. Abramson Memorial Foundation, 734 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502, Washington, DC 20005; http://www.abramsonfoundation.org/scholarship/index.shtml

$15,000 for Housing Projects…
… These grants are for housing/shelter and rehabilitation purposes. This program focuses primarily in the Washington DC area and New York. Contact The Sulica Fund, Inc., 4902 Montgomery Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20816-3020; (301) 907-4453.

It’s Healthier Being Your Own Boss…
“...studies by biologists and health researchers also suggest that being in a subordinate position can do a hatchet job on your self esteem, leave you chronically stressed out, and undermine your physical health. A famous long-term study of thousands of British civil servants found that lower-ranked employees died earlier - even when researchers controlled for diet and personal habits like smoking. Stress and “low job control” appeared to explain the difference in mortality rates.”

From The Cheating Culture by David Callahan

$30,000 Grants for Education…
… The Ammerman Foundation provides monetary grants for education, environmental purposes, hospitals and Jewish organizations. For information contact The Ammerman Foundation, 9013 Holly Leaf Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817.

$2,500 Grant for Federal Employees, PLUS a trip to Washington…
… A $2,500 cash award with an all expenses paid trip to Washington DC for the winner and a spouse. Four federal employees will receive the grant for achievements in the following areas: Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Award; Fire Prevention and Safety Award; Physical Rehabilitation Award; and Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention. Contact: GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, c/o GEICO Corporation, 5260 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

Ask Lesko…
This week’s question was sent in by Barbara, of Gulfport, Florida:

Answer: This is true if you contact the main government programs like the Small Business Administration. But the world of money for new starting businesses is much bigger than just a handful of major programs. There are literally hundreds of programs for people who want to start businesses. Some are even aimed at people who have no money at all. Like everything in life, the key is putting in the effort.

Here are some initial steps to take:

If you’re looking to start a business, you may want to consider our “Free Money to Start a Business /Fedfind” e-books (www.howtogetagrant.com/grfedfind1). Each of our 50 e-books contains several hundred programs for starting or expanding a business in your state as well as the actual federal applications for applying for these grants. You should also check out back issues of our newsletters and you will see we have described specific business grants.

Each week, I answer a reader’s question about government grants. If yours is selected, you will receive a free copy of my book, “Gobs and Gobs of Free Stuff”. Send your questions to Dixiestjohn@earthlink.net. Please keep your questions short and as specific as possible.

$100,000 Scholarship for Jewish Persons…
… Scholarships are made available to Jewish individuals through various Jewish organizations, educational institutions and health associations. Scholarships are available nationwide. Contact: The Abramson Family Foundation, 376 Regatta Drive, Jupiter, FL 33477. Application Address: The Abramson Family Foundation, c/o Foundation Manager, Quail Hill Farm, 1086 Penllyn-Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

$25,000 to Educate the Public on Modern Art…
… The Dedalus Foundation, Inc., (formerly Motherwell Foundation, Inc.) provides individual grants, in-kind gifts, internship funds, and scholarship funds to educate the public about modern art and modernism and the art of Robert Motherwell. This is a national award. Contact: Dedalus Foundation, Inc., c/o Hecht & Co., PC, 111 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018.

$250,000 Cash Awards to Outstanding Individuals…
… The Heinz Awards were created to provide a message of inspiration to every one of us regarding the power of the individual in American Society. The awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Environment, Human Condition, Public Policy, Technology, the Economy and Employment. The awards are given nationwide. Contact: Heinz Family Foundation, 3200 Dominion Tower, 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; (412) 497-5775; Fax: (412) 497-5790.

$100,000 or MORE to Promote Open Societies…
… The Open Society Institute offers grants to individuals both nationally and internationally. Grants are typically up to $100,000 but may be higher. The awards can be used to promote open societies by supporting an array of activities dealing with educational, social, legal, and health care reform, and by encouraging alternative approaches to complex and controversial issues. Grants are national. Contact: Open Society Institute, 400 W. 59th Street, New York, NY 10019; (212) 548-0600; Fax: (212) 548-4600; http://www.soros.org.

Grants and Scholarships for Music Teachers…
… The Presser Foundation provides over $2.0 million in scholarship aid grants to accredited colleges and universities in the field of music to increase music education in institutions of learning and to popularize the teaching of music as a profession. Grants to individuals are limited to providing emergency aid to worthy music teachers in need. This is a national award. Contact: The Presser Foundation, 385 Lancaster Ave., No. 205, Haverford, PA 19041; (610) 658-9030.

Attend My Grants Seminar At Home…
… In 3 hours I’ll give you the ins and outs of getting government money for business, education, real estate or to pay your bills. See www.howtogetagrant.com/semdvdtape1.