Our Grant Writing Consultants Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are there really grants to pay off personal debt?
A. No. There are virtually no grants available for personal assistance or to pay off debt - due to the fact that “individuals” are typically not eligible to apply for discretionary grants, no matter how needy. The only grants that are available for individuals are school scholarships or for research and development types of activities if applying through a sole proprietorship or other form of small business corporation.

Q. I need a grant to pay for a new home or to remodel my home; are there grants for these types of endeavors?
A. There are very few grants available for buying or remodeling homes, unless you plan to use the facility to provide shelter or housing solutions for the disabled, elderly, and/or impoverished children and families. There are, however, local and state programs (not direct grants) available to support low-income families in purchasing their first homes through individual development accounts, low interest loans, and/or construction support activities. Contact your city/county housing authority, local banks, or Mayor's office for information on these types of programs.

Q. Are there grants to start a business?
A. Unfortunately, there are not many grants available for profit-making businesses. Government and foundation funded grants are usually targeted for non-profit organizations, education agencies, public organizations, and high tech - research oriented businesses, with few exceptions. There are also grant funds available for businesses that provide jobs (and job training) for disadvantaged and/or disabled workers; that are located in high poverty areas that need more jobs or that provide certain services in these areas (such as child care or after school programs); or for businesses that partner with a non-profit organization in a joint effort to provide community-focused related programs and services. If you are planning to start a profit-making business that does not fit within these grant eligible categories, we recommend looking at the federal government's Small Business Administration (SBA) website at www.sba.gov - or e-mailing the Resource Associates’ Grant Wizard to inquire about your businesses’ grant eligibility.

Q. Does Resource Associates guarantee that if it writes a grant, the grant proposal will be funded.
A. No. We are not aware of any legitimate grant writing firm that can make and keep such a guarantee. There is always a risk involved in pursuing grant funding – regardless of our company’s previous award success. Resource Associates does have a program that will offer a free re-write of a grant if it is not funded (if certain conditions are met, as outlined in our service agreement form).

Q. Can I just pay for grant writing services out of the awarded grant?
A. No. Funders do not allow for grant money to be used to pay for services rendered prior to an award. Therefore, legitimate grant writing firms will not place their clients at risk of fraud by charging for grant writing - contingent upon a grant being funded.