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Government grants are kind of like citizen's arrests -- everyone's heard of 'em, but few understand how they work. Well, pay attention, freeloaders -- we're about to teach you how to hit up Uncle Sam for some cash. (Let's see how he likes it.) A lot of commercial web sites promise assistance in getting government grants. We decided to go straight to grants.gov for the requirements, processes, and (sigh) inevitable forms. According to the site, grants are financial assistance to "carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States." They are available in 21 categories including the arts,
transportation, and housing. Grants are used for the good of the public, not for the personal gain of an individual. For example, you're not going to receive a grant to install drywall in your rumpus room. However, an organization seeking to develop low-income housing is likely to be eligible. Because grants typically go to organizations, individuals seeking assistance should visit GovBenefits.gov. The site lists all the benefits you may be eligible for. The process is surprisingly straightforward. Describe your circumstances,
select what type of assistance you're interested in, and -- voila! -- you'll be directed to what's available.
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