Grant Scam Warning

Have you been contacted by a company promising thousands of dollars of grant funds for a comparably small fee?

If you have been approached by a company or consultant seeking a fee to secure grant funds for you, consider the following:

1.  There is no such thing as a “guarantee” that a company can secure a grant for anyone.

2.  Over 99% of grants are awarded to nonprofit, governmental and social service organizations.  Less than 1% of grants are awarded to individuals.

3.  If a company says it cannot provide you with any references, you may not want to do business with them.  Most ethical contractors are happy to provide you with references.

4.  Check with the local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General’s office for ratings and information about the company.

5.  If a company states it is a member of grant professional association and that it adheres to a certain "Code of Ethics", this is a false statement.  NO company is a member of any such association.  Companies may have a staff member or members who have joined the various associations. 

There are legitimate and ethical companies who provide grant seeking services.  To help you identify such a company, look for the following:

• A company that does not guarantee your organization will receive a grant.
• A company that is able to provide you with references of satisfied customers.
• A company that works via contract and not solely by word of mouth.

Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) are accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2011 Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI). The purpose of this program is to support the development and/or expansion of local implementation and community infrastructures that integrate treatment and services for mental and substance use disorders, permanent housing, and other critical services for individuals who are chronically homeless. SAMHSA seeks to increase the number of individuals who are chronically homeless placed in permanent housing that supports recovery through comprehensive treatment and recovery services for behavioral health. SAMHSA also seeks to increase capacity for community-based providers to enroll individuals who are chronically homeless in mainstream programs and obtain reimbursement for behavioral health.

Download Complete RFA Announcement (PDF)

Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announces the availability of approximately $40 million in grant funds authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 to support successful applicants in providing enhanced transitional jobs (ETJ) programs, as well as other activities and services, to increase the workforce participation of low-income, hard-to-employ populations, specifically non-custodial parents and/or ex-offenders reentering their communities. ETA intends to fund grantees proposing to implement ETJ program models that go beyond transitional jobs (TJ) programs currently operating or tested previously. ETA seeks applications from either Local Workforce Investment Boards or non-profit community or faith-based organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status with experience with providing TJ programs, or that represents a partnership that includes an organization with experience providing TJ programs. Applicants must demonstrate that a relationship exists with the required partners or that such a relationship could be established quickly because of existing connections and agreements to work together. Applicants may also include other partners that can provide needed services for program participants and/or refer participants to the applicant as described in the SGA. Upon selection, all grantees will be required to participate in a random assignment evaluation.

Click Here for More Information: Full Announcement

Call for Reviewers

HSBS 2011 Grant Award Program

Each year Head Start Body Start expects to receive hundreds of proposals for Play Space Grant Awards. Select reviewers will score the proposals to ensure they are complete and align with the expectations of Head Start Body Start.  

They are looking for volunteers with experience in the fields of early childhood education and movement, playgrounds and facilities, and other related fields. Reviews will be conducted in June every year through 2012. 

If you are interested in reviewing proposals, e-mail us; subject line: "Play Space Reviewer."