Are grant writing software programs truly effective?
547177
If you are thinking of applying for a grant from the federal government, there's only one software available -- and it is through Grants.gov. You basically download a plugin software and that allows you to download the specific application form for the grant you want. It's FREE - you don't have to pay anything for it.\n\nGrant softwares are helpful when applying for private grants. They are "effective" in the sense that they help you come up with a proposal that has all the elements that the approving organizations look for, as follows:\n\n- Description of the project \n- Qualifications and past accomplishments \n- How the project is to proceed and who is to carry it out \n- A time-line for the project \n- Benefits to be gained and for whom \n- Plans for evaluating and funding the project in the future \n- Complete project and organization budgets \n- An audited financial statement \n- List of names and occupations of trustees of the organization \n\nSome will add a few information here and there. But just like a business plan software, grant writing software only gives you the skeleton of the grant proposal. It is up to you to give the proposal the substance it needs to be approved.
63614
There is a lot of software out there, like Microsoft Word, that can be used for creating documents such as a senior project research proposal.
1165528
You may want to contact DOE/Westinghouse Free Home Grant-Writing Courses http://www.apa.org/science/freegrantclass.html as they offer FREE grantwriting courses. The contact person is:\n\nBill Keeley\nEconomic and Technical Development\nWestinghouse/CBS Inc.\nCarlsbad, NM 88221\nPhone: 505-234-7200\nFAx: 505-887-1434\n\nThe Foundation Center is another excellent provider of grant education and training \nhttp://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/classroom.html  Their Classroom Training Courses page has several free training on various aspects of grant writing such as:\n\nGrantseeking Basics  http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/free/gsb.html\nGrantseeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/free/gsbia.html\nHow to Approach a Foundation http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/free/htaf.html\nProposal Budgeting Basics http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/free/pbb.html
1167356
I have been using the free version for over a year and it seems to be more than adequate. If you want to help support the people who generously have made this great program free then buy it. I don't think the paid program has that much other features, though.
603893
I took my university months to find the proper software for grants. We finally discovered something from www.itworks-inc.com.
1015256
Here are some sites and resources that can help you with grant writing\n\nGreat collection of grant writing resources http://www.proposalwriter.com/grantwriting.html#Grantwriting\nUniversity of Wisconsin has another great collection of resources on writing grants http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.html\nLinks to Other Proposal Writing Resources http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/links.htm\n\nThe Foundation Center also has several online tutorials on grant writing, some of which are free. Check out their list of grant tutorials at \nhttp://fdncenter.org/getstarted/training/classroom.html
271714
I have operated a grant research and writing consulting firm for 30 years. Do not buy into the myth that there is FREE MONEY out there for your to start your business. The people who sell this information make their money off of people who are looking for something for nothing.\n\nContact your local Small Business Administration (SBA) for courses and services that can help you learn how to do it the right way.\n\nThe government DOES provide GUARANTEES for qualified loans that may be advantage to you should you be prepared to go the professional convential route of borrowing money to establish your enterprise.\n\nGood Luck and stay away for the FREE MONEY SCAMS.
868475
Well, There are a lot of people finding programs. The best way would be to speak to a privet investagator they have access to some used databases.
584156
Most of the companies have some philantropy or social marketing division that handles their relationship with non profits and charities. \n\nMicrosoft, for example has a Microsoft Giving Program http://www.microsoft.com/citizenship/giving/apply/ which funds community technology learning center. I assisted a non profit in DC get help from them, and Microsoft awarded them with software that the non profit use in their technology classes.\n\nSun Microsystem also has a foundation http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/comm_invest/giving/foundation.html\n\nAdobe also has a Corporate Affairs/Community Relations program where they give away free software  http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/philanthropy/software.html\n\nIBM also has a technology program whereby they give computers to non profits and schools http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/\n\nThe first step would be to read the company's program and see if your project fit with their goals. Then follow their procedure on how to submit applications or grant proposals.\n\nI also recommend that you subscribe to Foundation Center's databases - they have the most reliable and complete database of private foundations who gives grants and funding to non profits. I know of many non profits in the Washington DC area that use them as a source. They have a section called Find Funders http://fdncenter.org/findfunders/ and you may be able to use that to look for funding organizations for your non profit, not just technology companies.
76601
There are technology grants running around all over out there.  You should have someone at the central office who can help you research grants.  It takes work, and it would belong to the school, but it is one way.  You would have to show how the computer would benefit your students.  The other way to get a cheap one is ebay, but remember, you get what you pay for.
1080168
There are all types of government programs for grants but the paperworks could take several months so I don't know if there would be enough time for that.\n\nI can tell you that I use to work at a Chamber of Commerce and we use to get a lot of people in situations similar to yours who would come in looking for sponsorships from local businesses.  I can't promise anything but it's worth a shot because businesses often sponsor events like this for tax write-offs.  So I would stop by your local Chamber of Commerce.
656129
There are grant writers around who can help you write a grant. The American Association of Grant Professionals http://www.grantprofessionals.org/ has a listing of grant writers per state. You may want to contact them and hire them to help you write a grant proposal. http://www.grantprofessionals.org/consultant/grant_consultants.php\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.
570977
I have gotten federal grants for the non profits that I worked with, as well as from some private foundations. The biggest award I got for the organizations that I worked for was $500,000. But no, these grants were for the organization, not for my personal purposes. We did not have to pay it back, but there are required deliverables on a set schedule and reports on the progress of the project are required. \n\nThe government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.\n\nFor one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant.\n\nThere there is a stringent review process through a committee. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved.\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
611462
No. The government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.\n\nFor one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant.\n\nThere there is a stringent review process through a committee. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved.\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html\n\nP.S. Mohit Mandaan has been COPYING my answer. This is the response I give to this question \nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=Ap_zb71ZrvbwQ8HtZimMFRcjzKIX?qid=1006042214145\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AnwSMRdLYo6wopbvtIuzF.wjzKIX?qid=1006032309109
114956
Depends how similar you need it to be.  There is a lot of free project management software out there, but most of it doesn't look like MSP, even though it may have some similar features.  I've linked to a list of open source PM software below.\n\nTurboProject is a MSP knock-off which comes in a number of flavors - and starts cheaply - but is not free.
296976
Yes. If it is a non-profit debt agency. I signed up with one a few years ago, and it has made a big difference. I am paying off my debt, and everyone is happy.\n\nIf you are real abou this, you will stay true to the program. I feel so much better having done this. I no longer get calls and can live my life normally.
1014509
This is a good overview, but if you're talking grant proposal, the funding agency will outline things for you very clearly (and repetitively).\n\nhttp://www.research.umich.edu/proposals/pwg/pwgcontents.html