This is a database of grantors contributing in every category under the sun. Yes it's absolutely legitimate and yes it works. I have personally received three out of four grants I applied to from this website.

::::::::

No, this is not a pipe dream. Yes, it works.

I can testify to that first-hand, having received three out of the four grants I personally applied for from this database:

www.fdncenter.org

This is an enormous database of grantors donating in every possible category, compiled by the Foundation Center Library. The Library has seven walk-in branches nation-wide, and the database serves people nation-wide. In some cases, it may not even be necessary to be a US Citizen to apply and be granted.

There are two basic granting series: Grants for non-profits and grants to individuals.

One month of D-base access costs about $15 for individuals, $25 for non-profits, and it's renewable indefinitely. Emailing the librarians is free. Books are for sale regarding how to write a successful grant proposal, as are courses offered by the Foundation Center Library.

The basic question on the intake form is: "What size grant are you looking for, under $5,000 or over $500,000?"

The database is just enormous. If you printed it out and laid every page on the floor, it would have to be about forty miles long ("at least" quoted someone else familiar with the site).

Some grants apply nationally, others internationally, depending on the donor. Could people even apply from overseas? Maybe. Email the librarians and ask!

There are grants in every possible category: Since I am most familiar with the Grants to Individuals series, let me talk about it rather than the grants for non-profits (Which is much more extensive than the series I am discussing here. However, there are still plenty of grants to individuals).

You can also sign up for email updates from the Foundation Center Library, in the category of your choice.

FYI in California, it costs only $25 to apply for nonprofit status. Non-profit status definitely opens up the door to many more funding opportunities. Just go to the State Secretary's office or website in your state, to apply.

There's lots of stuff for education and going back to school, in every field.

Some grants for building projects, so long as they benefit the community in the way the donor wants.

Some grantors donate for the cause of private medical funding, with funds usually paid to health practitioners.There are even grants for alternative medical procedures, so it's much more than just mainstream stuff.

The way to look is:

A) Under the category of your profession (education grants, professional projects, medical funding for those in your field of work or study)

B) Need category: Emergency medical funding, emergency survival bills and food payments (utilities, rent, etc), education, more (ask the librarians)

C) Ethnic or religious category

D) Education category (Every field, probably every age too but ask the librarians before signing up)

E) Ask the librarians for further info! Log on to the website above to obtain email contact info.

 Tips for successful grant writing:

A) After screening out individual donors, check out the grantor's funding history. Then read about their philosophy, goals, etc and be sure to lace something about that into your grant proposal. They like to know that you understand their work, and how you fit into it.

B) Don't beg and don't kiss up to them. Instead, be a feather in their cap: Donors want to brag about what they have funded and how they have helped the community. Be something to brag about, for them. "Sell" yourself and your project.

If you don't have much to "Sell" them on, just do your best and try also applying for need-based grants, which definitely exist a-plenty.

C) Often it is the second application which gets funded even when the first one is turned down. Just ask the donor on what basis you were turned down, what it is they are looking for, and re-apply having tailored your proposal to what they have said (if appropriate for you). Bingo! You could win.

Further notes:

Grantors and their Boards need time to review the various proposals submitted to them. With the exception of grants for emergency funds, it usually takes two to three months.

Grantors usually prefer to talk to someone very business-like rather than someone spilling out all kinds of "thank you's". I was surprised, but hey why not work with the reality of who they are? I myself was very genuine in my appreciation of those who funded me, but perhaps donors think that sincere appreciation is someone trying to kiss up to them and they don't like that. And of course, it's their business. After all, they get tax write-offs for what they are doing, and public recognition, which means advertizement.

Win-win! Everybody benefits.

Funds here could be obtained for college education, emergency medical funds in absence of health insurance, arts projects, building projects as above, business start-up projects, and more.

Check it out: I repeat that this is for real.

What I don't know is how the economy has affected grant-giving. That would remain to be seen. But I wouldn't despair either: Plenty of wealthy corporations are thriving during this economic crisis, not feeling the pinch at all. Again you could ask the librarians about this.

Go for it! And please spread word.

Thank you.

Authors Bio:
This quote summarizes the nature of my concerns and the content of personal experiences which stir my activism:

"Necessity is the plea for every infringement on human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves". --Paul Revere, House of Commons