| There are many questions circulating these | | | | businesses in your area. Many a time I will |
| day's on how to get grants to start up a | | | | enter a business and ask them if they have |
| small business or daycare. Unfortunately I'm | | | | anything they would like to contribute. One |
| here to tell you that if you are a non-profit | | | | example would be going to a paper factory, |
| daycare finding free money will be difficult. | | | | stationary etc or any office that throws out |
| But don't give up, just because the | | | | paper. Remember, you need paper for your |
| government is unwilling to supplement a | | | | daycare and would be able to utilize what |
| business start ups cost doesn't mean that | | | | they consider trash. |
| it's totally hopeless. It is your duty to be | | | | |
| creative in coming up with the supplies that | | | | 2. After you have contacted the above |
| you will need to start up your business. | | | | mentioned organizations your next step would |
| | | | be to request their guidelines and |
| In the home study course, many of these | | | | applications. At this point and time |
| issues are addressed. Realistically you can | | | | necessary information should be collected to |
| set up a very profitable business if you | | | | determine whether you and the funder are a |
| think a little differently from everyone | | | | good fit. One research tool that would help |
| else. | | | | you in your determination would be Grant |
| | | | Smart ( |
| One tip is non-profit independent child care | | | | |
| business owners can try a service | | | | 3. Write a description of your need for |
| called,Foundation Grants to Individuals | | | | money. You will have a discuss why you need |
| Online. This service is an online listing | | | | the money and what your purpose will be for |
| offering grants to individuals in the U.S. To | | | | those funds. Other questions that you should |
| learn more you can go to There is a charge | | | | be asking yourself is, why should the project |
| of $9.95 per month for this service. | | | | be done?, how long will it take?, how much it |
| | | | will cost?, who will do the work?, and most |
| Here are some important steps in finding | | | | of all, how will it impact the quality of |
| childcare grant money: | | | | childcare you will provide? |
| | | | |
| 1. Do your due diligence and research. Your | | | | 4. Prepare your proposal letter. Your letter |
| first step should be calling your licensing | | | | will encompass and expand on why you need the |
| bureau office, referral agency, and child | | | | grant funds, and what your purpose is behind |
| care organizations. The other organizations | | | | it, and how it will benefit your program. Be |
| that also should be called an are affiliated | | | | sure to include any statistics and |
| with childcare are: Head Start, Child Care | | | | demographics that will influence your cause. |
| and Development Fund, Social Services Block | | | | Attach any letters of support from parents, |
| Grant, Child and Adult Care Food Program, | | | | people in the community advocating your |
| Even Start, Individuals with Disabilities | | | | project. As well, make sure that you have |
| Education Act. | | | | fine tuned any financial numbers or budget |
| | | | considerations for this project. |
| While these organizations are affiliated with | | | | |
| childcare, you also may be able to find an | | | | 5. Be patient and organized. Make sure that |
| organization that would be willing to grant | | | | all your papers are organized into folders; |
| you money. Keep into consideration backyard | | | | there will be a time that you will need to |
| organizations such as: Lions, Rotary, | | | | wait. Fund organizations do receive other |
| Kiwanis, and United Way. | | | | proposals so be patient. |
| | | | |
| Also, keep in mind corporations and | | | | (c) CG Groth Inc. |