Non Profit Grant Blog

Who in my state do I contact to apply for a grant? Do I have to pay it back at all? Someone suggested to me to apply for a 501 (C) 3 Non Profit Corporation thing? What would that do and how would I go about it, any answers I would appreciate very much.

If you are a legally registered, with the irs, nonprofit you can and should apply for grants.
Most grants are matching funds. You put up 1000 in cash the grant gives you 1000.
Grants come with stipulations and are to be used according to the guidelines.
Example a library applies for a grant specifically to purchase children’s books then that is what they must buy’
It is the nonprofits responsibility to search and apply for grants.

Hi,

I want to start a full inclusion private pre-k through sixth grade school in San Francisco. I would like to build the campus from scratch in order to cater to children with special needs and also to make it a green building with an organic garden. Where do I start? Where can I get funding? I’m just starting by myself for now. Should I try to start a non-profit group first?

Thanks for any help and advice!

To begin with…starting any business (even schools) you need a good business plan. The plan outlines the business, how much money you need to begin with, and itomize everything you need for "start up" or "seed money" – how much will everything cost, licensing, qualifications, design specs, location/zoning laws, goals of the business and various other plans for your business.
Private schools are very difficult to get funding for because they are private. In other words, people PAY for their children to attend a private school. So private schools automatically make money on tuition. Public schools are free. Also schools for children with special needs are actually easier to find funding for but, YOU MUST HAVE the credentials and qualifications to operate a "special needs" school. Be specific about special needs…physical disabilities, mental disabilities, learning disabilities, whatever the disability.
However, don’t give up just yet.
There is a group of retired business people (from ALL businesses including schools) that will look over your business plan, advise you where you CAN get funding, what to expect if the plan goes wrong and how to correct it before it’s to late, also how to improve on your plan. Anyone in business will tell you, WITHOUT a business plan 9 out of 10 businesses will fail within the first year.
Look in you local yellow pages or B-B listings (and, of course the internet) for these types of organizations.
Also, government grant money is available for more businesses, private or otherwise, schools, and a lot more. Check on the internet but be careful they are not just after your money. ASK QUESTIONS as to what these grants offer and what they expect from you for their money. (GRANT money is FREE, you do not pay it back) LOANS you pay back. Check out private foundations that give grants specifically for private schools.
Beginning any business always takes careful planning and research. Research how other private schools began. Research, research, research and double check the research.
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU EXPECT to accomplish.

Ps. Renovating, taking over old buildings, reopening closed schools are less espensive and will give you an "edge" to get the school up and running. ANY building, or or new, can be modified to be "green".

I know this is a lot of information and you have an excellent idea, just do the RESEARCH and learn everything you possibly can about the type of school you visualize.

MUCH GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

My mother is starting a non-profit organization and she wanted me to do some research. i need to know what’s availible.

Your best bet is to seek for private grants or grants from private foundations.

The best resource for this is Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org . They have a very good database covering all organizations giving grants and you can find foundations that are interested in supporting your type of cause. However, it’s a subscription based website ($19.95 per month I think is the cheapest subscription price). But it certainly is worth the fee. You can subscribe one month, and make sure you get all the info you need and then stop the subscription.

If you want to try federal sources, you 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.

CFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

However, to be able to get grant awards, you need to be 501C(3) certified from the IRS http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/index.html

just wondering if anyone out there can help me in understanding how to go about getting grants to start up a no kill animal shelter in cincinnati ohio? basically to run the business, electric, water, pay at least 2 salaries.. anyone know anything regarding this? are you depending on pure donations or there has to be a way to get steady grants for utilities etc?? thanks

There is no grant money for start ups.
You have to raise money from the public first.

I just need some information on starting a non profit company. Such as grants that I could recieve, and other organizations to enroll my company in.

Search: Business Empire Magazine

Messes up when i put the link but they usually have information to answer your questions or will get the information for you if they don’t. My college entrepreneurship program has a deal with them