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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Grant Basics For Beginners

Grant Basics for Beginners

Beginners to the granting process, whether for business or non-profit, are often intimidated by the hard work that it takes to write a grant application. It is hard work and it should be. No grantor wants their money wasted on a project that has poor planning and little or no effort invested into it by a grant seeker. The key to the granting process is getting organized and stop procrastinating. Here are some helpful hints to get you started.

* WRITE

Everyday you should be writing down your ideas and thoughts about your project. Saving them on a computer to a word file is preferable so you may edit, spell check, cut and paste, and reorganize them without having to continually retype.

* FIND A MENTOR

You should seek out and solicit the advice of a successful businessman or community leader whose judgment you respect. Find someone who is able to devote a few free hours a week to give you the advice and help you need with the basic fundamentals of developing a professional business plan.

* RESEARCH

Grantors already know the type of project you are contemplating. Researching the feasibilities of the success of your project and conveying that to the grantors is your responsibility. The time you spend working on your project and the information you acquire is an asset to you personally because knowledge and information is a powerful tool in business or non-profit grant seeking.

* START NOW

Whether you have a finished plan or not the time to start your grant seeking process is now. You can always work on your plan as you go. Imagine investing 6 months of your time into a project and have everything ready to go except for your grant application and then you find out that you missed the closing date of an eligible grant for your project by a couple of days. Just because you wanted everything to be perfect, now would have to wait an entire year for that particular grant application to reopen.

Notice that the letters of each hint do not spell out some cute acronym. Memorizing a list of steps just to complete a program that may or may not assist you in your goal is counterproductive. Always strive to achieve your grant through perseverance and patience. Nothing substantial is ever achieved overnight or through just plain dumb luck.

For a list of grant programs that I have personally researched that will assist you in achieving your goal, please visit http://www.grantsformoney.com

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Pamper Me Please! - Self Care For The Busy Entrepreneur

Why am I doing this? I just feel like I can't focus today! I feel like I'm not enjoying my job like I used to. What's the matter with me? I NEED A BREAK!!!!

When you are CEO, head nurse, mommy, head of janitorial services, and chief crafts coordinator, life can leave you a little weary sometimes. As a business owner YOU are your most valuable resource, so it makes sense to take care of yourself! When you start to feel overwhelmed, it's important to know when to slow down and take a break. Below you'll find 10 tips to help you take a vacation pamper and renew.

1) SCHEDULE A DAY OFF: Often when we are the busiest is when we need a break the most. Write a day in your calendar just for you. Promise to enjoy your time off. Turn off the computer, and don't answer the phone. Don't let guilt, or a list of impending deadlines steal your relaxation and enjoyment for the day. 2) MAKE TIME FOR THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR LIFE: Go on a date with you're your husband. Enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with a friend. Steal away on a mommy and daughter/son breakfast. Write a special note to a friend or spouse letting you know how you feel about them. Give someone a long meaningful hug. Spend a little extra time cuddling with your children before bed.

3) TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE: Make up a holiday. Invite a friend to a "just because" lunch. Order out for pizza. At our house, we have a tradition called "pajama party". When we want to celebrate, we all get into our pajamas extra early, get all our pillows and blankets, pull out the sofa bed, snuggle up, watch a special movie, and tell each other stories. This is a special treat that the whole family REALLY looks forward to!

4) PAMPER YOURSELF: Indulge in a candle lit bubble bath. Listen to some soothing music. Read a juicy romance novel. Take a day at the spa. Soak up some sun at the beach. Sip a glass of wine and watch the sun set in your back yard. Why not buy yourself a bouquet of flowers?

5) NURTURE YOUR BODY: Treat yourself to plenty of sleep, eat balanced meals, drink lots of water, and take vitamins. If you've been neglecting a checkup, now's the time to schedule it! When you take care of your body, you'll have more energy and feel happier.

6) GET OUT OF THAT CHAIR & EXCERCISE: Sitting in your office chair all day isn't exactly the ideal workout. Head to the gym, take a walk thru the park, or take a dip in the pool. Take in a game of golf, racquetball or tennis. Exercise is a proven stress reducer!

7) CATCH A RAY OF SUNSHINE: Remember the song "I'm walking on sunshine, well...and don't it feel good?" There's nothing more energizing then feeling the sun on your face and breathing in some fresh air. Spend time in your garden, play ball with the kids, or take a trip to the park. I enjoy taking a "nature walk" right in my back yard. I walk slowly looking at each flower, and really taking each detail in again as if for the very first time.

8) BE A KID FOR A DAY: Forget your responsibilities for just one day. Put away your "to do list" and revel in all the things you'd like to do but shouldn't. Let your house be messy, sleep in, eat an ice-cream sundae for supper, and watch you're a funny movie. Make up a silly song. Put on your favorite CD and dance! Mix up a batch of monster size cookies! Let the little kid in your come out and play!

9) RENEW YOUR SPIRIT: Often in the busyness of life, we forget to take quiet time for ourselves. I encourage you to take time to journal, daydream, read the scriptures, and meditate. In stillness, you can tune-in to what really matters to you. Take time to listen to your heart, reflect and honor the quiet voice within.

10) GET A MAKEOVER: Do you feel pretty when you look in the mirror? If not, you deserve to! When you look good, you FEEL good. Get a new haircut or a manicure. Spoil yourself and buy a new outfit. Try a new perfume.

MY PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO YOU: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy! Don't wait until you are feeling burned out to take a break. I challenge you to take out your pen, flip thru your calendar, and schedule yourself a day off. When you are well rested, ou'll have a newfound energy, spark and passion to drive you forward to success!