Rozen Consulting and Design: Grantwriting, website development, nonprofit development & consulting

GRANTWRITING  |  WEB DESIGN  |  NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What about those websites and television ads promoting "free cash grants" for individuals?  I need some money to pay off my bills and start a business.
Unfortunately, most foundation and corporate funders do not award grants to individuals or businesses, and neither does the government. (The exception is for well-established, mature for-profit businesses that are leaders in their industry AND are responding to a specific government grant opportunity or Request for Proposal.)

The articles below contain good information debunking the "free cash grants" myth and explain why there is generally NOT grant money available for individuals and typical for-profit businesses (the links below will open in a new window):

If you are trying to get a grant on behalf of yourself, your family, or a small for-profit business, I cannot help you.  There are almost no grants available for those purposes, even if you are disabled, a member of a minority group, or a woman.  If someone tells you that he or she can get you a grant, beware--it is probably a scam.  Most grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, schools, and other government entities that exist for public benefit.  There is no free money!

2.  Our nonprofit organization would like to hire you.  Is it okay if we wait until we get our first grant before we pay you?
No.  I invoice monthly and request payment within two weeks.

3.  Can we just pay you on commission?  We'll just give you a percentage of all the money you raise.
No, sorry.  I'm a very good grantwriter with a proven history of securing grants.  Unfortunately, I cannot control the decisions that funders make.  Funders frown on paying grantwriters on commission.  For more information, please check out the website of the Puget Sound Grantwriters Association for a great article Goodwin Deacon on grantwriting ethics, including why grantwriters should never work on commission:  http://www.grantwriters.org/grantwriters/ethics-and-commissions.

4.  We are just starting up our organization.  We don't have our 501(c)(3) yet, but we have a great cause.  Can you help us?
I learned the hard way that brand new organizations bring extra challenges.  I can't write a grant proposal until you have some things in place:  a budget, a strategic plan, a board of directors, and your 501(c)(3).  Also, most funders will not give you a grant (and some don't even want to see your proposal) until you have your 501(c)(3) in hand.  See Question #6 below for more information.

5.  We're a church.  Will you write grants for us?
I can only write grant proposals for you if you have your 501(c)(3), and you do secular work that is open to the entire community (not just the members and prospective members of your church).  For example, if you run a food bank or a homeless shelter that serves people regardless of their religious affiliation, I may be able to help.

6.  What should we have in place in order to successfully attract grant funding?
At minimum, your organization needs to have an active and involved board of directors, your 501(c)(3) status, a financial system and procedures, program goals, and support of your community (both financially and otherwise).  GrantsUSA has a wonderful grants readiness checklist available on their website in PDF format:  www.azgrants.com/mp/Checklist.pdf  

For more information, please contact us.

 
   

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Grantwriting  |  Web Design  |  Nonprofit Development