Grants And Loans

Laws Let You See Successful Grant Applications

Even at the state level there are laws that let you demand your rights to see copies of successful applications from people who already got the money. They may be called different laws in different states. In Ohio they’re called Sunshine Laws and they are published for everyone in a publication called the Yellow Book.They’re enforced by the state attorney general’s office. Check your state’s attorney general’s office if a state official ever tells you that you are not allowed to see an application. Remember, it’s your money the government is handing out in grants.

Visit: www.ag.state.oh.us/online_publications/2004_yellow_book.pdf

An Extra 25000 For Your Arts Group

because small arts groups are having cash flow trouble in this tight economic climate, there are now easy loans being offered by some non-profits to help make ends meet.Find similar groups in your area by contacting your state department of arts and humanities located in your state capital.

Visit: www.govengine.com

Home Repair Grants and Homes At Below Market Cost

the Arlington Housing Corporation in suburban Washington, DC buys homes, which are in poor condition and renovates the home to sell to qualified first time home buyers at below market cost. Low interest loans and grants are available for home remodeling as well as assistance with down payment money.

Visit: ahc@ahcinc.org

Home Bargains At The IRS

The Internal Revenue Service does something else besides collecting taxes—they have homes available for sale. The properties have been seized or acquired for nonpayment of internal revenue taxes and are sold at auction to the public. You must check the web site for upcoming auctions. The web site will provide you with a picture of the property, address, minimum bid and other details. When you’ve found the perfect home, contact the office listed for more information on how to bid.

Visit: www.treas.gov/auctions/irs/real1.html

Business Incubators Are Bargains And

can provide access to money, flexibility for growth, counseling services, tax services and a lot of comfort in the beginning years of a business. These can be non-profit organizations or for-profit. They are something to consider if you are starting out. For more info or to locate incubators in your area contact: National Business Incubator Association

Visit: www.nbia.org.

4000000 to Build or Fix Up Housing for Seniors

Called the Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and referred to as Program #14.157 in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, it can be used to finance the construction or rehabilitation of a structure or portion thereof, or the acquisition of a structure to provide supportive housing for the elderly, which may include the cost of real property acquisition, site improvement, conversion, demolition, relocation and other expenses of supportive housing for the elderly. Project rental assistance is used to cover the difference between the HUD-approved operating cost per unit and the amount the tenant pays.Contact your local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Visit: www5.hud.gov:63001/po/i/netlocator/

1000 For Students Interested in Medical Assisting

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the Maxine Williams Scholarship of $1,000 for one school year. High school graduates who are enrolled in or soon to be enrolled in a post-secondary medical assisting program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs are eligible. Scholarships are awarded based on interest, need and aptitude.

Visit: www.aama-ntl.org

Get 10000 From Your Boss To Buy A Home

Some universities give employees $1,500 grants to help them buy a home. Companies in Minnesota are offering up to $15,000 to employees to buy homes. City governments in Washington offer employees $10,000 to help buy a home if they perform 100 hours of community service. Make sure you find out what your employer or potential employer has to offer. And learn more about programs like these at

Visit: www.npcr.org/copc/reports/copc3/copc3.html

Venture Capital

Some people consider this money from angels, but they are known in the business world as venture capitalists. These are individuals, government-sponsored organizations or private organizations who invest in your business because it is a good idea. These people also want to own a percentage of your business. So they really become your partner. But remember, the point is you want to get your business going. Who cares if you have a partner? If a partner is going to make it happen, it is better than sitting at home with no business at all. The federal government has two major venture capital programs. You can go to these web sites to get a list of government sponsored angels to contact: Venture Capital for Small Businessand Venture Capital For Low Income. But you can’t stop there. There are thousands of other private and public venture capitalists who help small businesses. A good starting place for locating these people is a good reference librarian at your public library.

Visit: www.sba.gov/INV/overview.html

Quick and Easy 10 Downpayment Assistance

is available in less than an hour, at no cost and with no application to fill out. Low- to moderate-income families can earn up to 10 percent of the purchase price of their new home and never have to repay the money. The program is open to all homebuyers without regard to income, property price, or first-time ownership. Furthermore, the Harford Food Bank does not require the homebuyer to put money down or have cash reserves in order to qualify for gift funds. Homestead Trust, 3450 Ellicott Center Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, 410-480.1967

Visit: www.homesteadtrust.org/

Venture Capital Funds for New England Entrepreneurs

anyone interested in starting his own business or expanding an existing one may do well to look into venture capital. Venture capitalists are willing to invest in a new or growing business venture for a percentage of the equity. The Venture Capital Fund of New England is one source for those with high tech related business ideas

Visit: www.vcfne.com

Free Care By The Best Doctors In The World

Bob Dole and Sam Donaldson knew where to go to get treatment – The National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each year, close to 75,000 patients receive free medical care by some of the best doctors in the world. To see if your diagnosis is currently being studied, you can contact the Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Patient Recruitment, 6100 Executive Blvd., Suite 3C01, MSC 754, Bethesda, MD 20892; 301-496-2563; 800-411-1222; www.cc.nih.gov; National Institutes of Health, Office of Communications, Building 1, Room 344, 1 Center Dr., MCS 0188, Bethesda, MD 20892; 301-496-4000; www.nih.gov; or to search a database of research programs, contact CRISP, Office of Reports and Analysis, Office of Extramural Research, 6700 Rockledge Dr., Room 3210, Bethesda, MD 20892; 301-435-0656

Visit: www.cc.nih.gov

Free Preventive Health Services For Seniors

A report from the U.S. Congress estimates that over 29 million seniors don’t take advantage of free preventive health services like flu shots, tetanus shots, pap smear, mammography, vaginal cancer screenings, colorectal cancer screening/colonoscopy, osteoporosis – bone mass measurement, prostate cancer test, and glaucoma test. They are all covered under the Medicare laws, but most doctors are not aware of this. 800-633-4227.

Visit: www.medicare.gov

50 Discount On Air Services To See A Sick Relative

according to a study done by the Federal Trade Commission. Six out of 10 Americans are overweight. It’s the second most preventable cause of death after smoking, resulting in over 300,000 deaths per year. I keep telling my kids that the 2 hardest things to figure out in our society are relationships and weight control.

Visit: www.ftc.gov/bcp/reports/weightloss.pdf.

More Money From Indiana’s Prescription Drug Program

Depending upon your situation with Medicare and Medicaid, you may or may not be eligible for this program, but it is worth a call for clarification. It is also helpful to know about this in the future if your situation changes. Eligibility issues: Indiana resident for at least 90 days and age 65 or older. May not have insurance that includes a prescription drug benefit. Must have a monthly income which is less than $997 for individuals or less than $1,344 for couples. Contact HoosierRX, P.O. Box 6224, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6224; 866-267-4679

Visit: www.state.in.us/fssa/hoosierrx/index.html