Government Grants

Numerous individuals mistakenly think that, if they are eligible for funding they will get it. All they’ve to do is apply US government grants. Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth. Every government program, which I know of, has a set of assessment criteria, used to figure out whether or not a proposal is suitable for funding. These criteria are seldom communicated to applicants simply because they merely do not ask. Let’s face it. In the event you know what your proposal will be assessed against before you apply, you stand a much better chance of obtaining approved.

So how should one go about getting the needed info? You begin by creating an appointment to go to the local workplace of the department or agency you are applying to. I cannot over emphasize the importance of this step. Absolutely nothing can replace the effectiveness of personal contact in this scenario. If this is not feasible, phone. By no means do a blind submission. When your proposal lands on someone’s, desk they should be familiar with it and have been expecting it. Otherwise you’re asking too much from your proposal. Let me explain.

Any funding proposal is designed to do two things, inform the reader and provide a rational as to why you need to receive government grants. The very best business plans within the world are absolutely nothing much more than words on paper. That is ok for supplying info but you need to by no means rely solely on them to provide the funding rational. Most economic development officers decide early in the game, whether or not they like your proposal. Call it their predisposition. If they are positively predisposed, you are merely asking your company plan to reinforce their first impression. If they’re negatively predisposed then you’re asking your proposal to convince them to provide you with funding. It’s much more tough to convince somebody than it’s to reinforce his or her initial inclination. The issue with blind submissions is which you don’t know what the officers’ predisposition is and therefore what you are asking your proposal to do, reinforce or convince?

By visiting the office prior to you apply for funding, you not just get the required info regarding the assessment criteria but you get a really feel for the officers’ initial impression and you’ve a tremendous opportunity to positively influence it. They get to hear about your proposal and they see how excited and determined you are about the proposed venture. Keep in mind they are assessing you and your concept so you would like them to meet you, and if possible, like you.

So far you have determined what programs are accessible, what ones you are eligible for, and created your initial contact with the department or agency to which you’re applying. You have produced a great first impression and positively influenced the development officer’s predisposition toward your proposed venture. Now you need to find out what criteria your proposal will probably be assessed against. Next we will examine some of these criteria in more detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in personal government grants