Contact

Help With Mortgage Rent and Credit Counseling

Contact one or many of your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Counseling Agencies. These groups can help with problems concerning your rent or mortgage and some even have grant money to get you through tough times. They can also help with your credit problems or direct you to an organization that can help you without ripping you off. Remember, if the office near you is not helpful enough contact one a little further away. It could be worth the drive.

Visit: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm

1500000 Grant To Organizations Who Help Small Businesses in Small Towns

The Rural Business Opportunity Grants program offers over $8 million in grants to non-profit organizations, who in turn give the money to entrepreneurs to start businesses in small towns. Find out what groups in your area have this money for you to use. Contact Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Specialty Lenders Division, STOP 3225, Room 6767, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250, 202-720-1400

Visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov

Grants to Aid Victims of Violence

The New England Patriots’ R.O.S.E. Award offers a cash award to a female victim of violent crime who is working to overcome her adversities. The award is meant to help her continue in her journey toward regaining her self-esteem and rebuilding her life. Cash awards vary according to funding availability. Contact: The R.O.S.E. Fund, Inc., (formerly Ryka Rose Foundation), 175 Federal St., Ste. 455, Boston, MA 02110; (617) 482-5400; Fax: (617) 482-3443

Visit: www.rosefund.org; rosefund@ici.net

Money for Italian Americans

The Italian-American Community Services Agency awards grants to Italian-Americans in financial need and indigent individuals, including senior citizens. It had a total of $15,690 for grants to individuals. Contact: Italian-American Community Services Agency (formerly Italian Welfare Agency, Inc. ), 678 Green St., San Francisco, CA 94133-3896. Phone: 415-362-6423; website

Visit: italiancommunityservices.org/index.htm

High School Seniors Get $2,000 to Study Restaurant & Hospitality

The Undergraduate Merit Scholarship for High School Seniors offers $2,000 for high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to both postsecondary foodservice education and a career in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA and must have performed at least 250 hours of foodservice-related work. Contact the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, (formerly National Institute for the Food Service Industry), 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604-2702; 800-765-2122, 312-715-1010, Fax: 312-715-0807; Continue reading

Single Parents Pay Only 1 For New Home

gift down payments are provided for first-time homebuyers or for those families who have grown and need a larger home. Emphasis is placed on single mothers and first-time homebuyers. There are no income, asset or citizenship requirements in the qualification process; however, the home must be used as the primary residence and homebuyers must attend the free counseling and education classes offered by the program. Up to 7.5% of the purchase price is available for down payment costs or other costs associated with the purchase of the home. This is a nationwide organization. Contact: Home Buyers Association Fund, 288 South Main Street, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30004; (866) 521-HBAF

Visit: www.hbaf.org

Financial Assistance for Employees in Need

When tragedy strikes, BearingPoint employees are not alone. Through the Corporate Giving Program, BearingPoint coordinates emotional and financial support for employees impacted by traumatic or catastrophic events, giving employees a place to turn when they are in need. BearingPoint Foundation funds, in the form of grants, are directed toward specific programs that meet program objectives. BearingPoint does not accept unsolicited grant proposals from outside organizations. All requests for funding and support are generated by BearingPoint employees. Contact: BearingPoint, Inc. Corporate Giving Program (formerly KPMG Consulting, Inc. Corporate Giving Program), c/o BearingPoint Charitable Foundation, 106 Allen Road, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938; (908) 607-2300

Visit: www.bearingpoint.com/about_us/philanthropy/rand_blazer.html

More Money for Job Seekers

When the average person hears the drumbeat that the budget has a $500 billion dollars deficit, they can only think of how, if in their own personal budget was this much in debt, they would never think of spending more money, no matter how good the idea was . But the House of Representatives just approved of an extra $6.7 billion for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits. So if you’re one of the millions about to run out of unemployment benefits, get off the couch and investigate this new free money. Contact your Congressperson or Senator to see what the status is of that legislation called HR 3030

Visit: www.congress.org

800 For Your Security Deposit

Several states and more and more local organizations and even non-profits provide money for renters with grants or loans that can be used for security deposits. Programs constantly come and go but the state of Delaware has provided grants to nonprofit agencies to administer 2 security deposit programs. Two counties in Florida provide grants to cover deposits for people at certain incomes, and New Hampshire guarantees landlords the full amount so the renter can make payments on a security deposit. This information was collected from NLIHC, 1012 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 610, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202/662-1530. To locate available programs in your area contact your state housing office or social services office, or your local reference librarian who can assist you in finding other organizations who might provide this assistance.

Visit: www.nlihc.org

7500 Grant for Housing Repair

Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grants are funded directly by the Government. A grant is available to a homeowner who is 62 years of age or older. Funds may only be used for repairs or improvements to remove health and safety hazards, or to complete repairs to make the dwelling accessible for household members with disabilities. The amount of the grant is based on the applicant’s ability to repay and may be used in conjunction with the Repair and Rehabilitation Loan. The lifetime maximum grant amount is $7,500. Contact Mike, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service, 1110 Amos Rd. Suite A, Shelbyville, IN 46176; 317-392-1394 Ext. 4. For more information on Rural Housing Programs, contact Single Family Housing, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-1474

Visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/

Free Money For Your Down Payment

If you are within a certain income and need help paying your heating bills, or need money to make your house more energy efficient, or need funds for urgent repairs, call your local Community Action Agency. There are about 1,000 of them around the country to help neighborhoods. They will also come out and check if your home or apartment needs to be more energy efficient. To find an agency near you, contact National Association of Community Action Agencies, 1100 17th St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036; 202-265-7546; Fax: 202-265-8850. Also, your local utility can provide you with or refer you to other programs in your area to analyze your energy usage, recommend energy saving measures, provide fuel and utility assistance to retain or restore service, establish payment discounts based on income and usage, or establish affordable payment plans if you are in arrears. Contact your local utility company to take advantage of these services.

Visit: communityactionpartnership.com