Not a grant but a great opportunity!! So many of you have approached me about money for your business ideas. If you have an idea for a start up business, blog or website this is your chance! $50,000 prize 1/2 in cash and 1/2 in web design/marketing help. Let me know your ideas and I’ll post them!
Go to http://pitch.co/ and get started! Good Luck
http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Entrepreneurship+and+Small+Business/ From their Nov. Newsletter
Every day, Illinoisans fill containers and dumpsters with trash to be hauled away for disposal in landfills… “out of sight and out of mind.” DCEO’s Division of Recycling and Waste Reduction offers programs that promote alternatives to landfill disposal, conservation of resources, and further development of markets to recycle more of what we currently throw away. Adding value to recycled materials is the principal reason that recycling has become a multi-billion dollar industry in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is pleased to announce that the Illinois Recycling Grants Program has opened its FY2010 grant cycle for both traditional (i.e., fiber, metal, glass, plastic) and electronics (e.g., computers) recycling. The Illinois Recycling Grants Program helps communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations collect and process materials for recycling.
Through this competitive process grants are available to assist local governments, for-profit, and not-for-profit businesses and organizations with their recycling efforts. Traditional recycling grant funds may be used to purchase project-related capital equipment such as collection, processing or handling equipment and project necessary expansion and modernization costs. Electronics recycling grant funds may be used to set up permanent drop-off and collection facilities; purchase recycling containers; fund project necessary site improvements; and to purchase processing and handling project-related equipment to collect, refurbish, de-manufacture, and recycle computers and electronic equipment.
Entities interested in submitting an application for Traditional Recyclables are encouraged to schedule an individual consultation with their regional DCEO representative. Contact the following individuals:
Northern Illinois – Rick Fiddyment, 217-524-1838 or Richard.Fiddyment@illinois.gov.
Central Illinois – Angie Embrey, 217-785-2773 or Angie.Embrey@illinois.gov.
Southern Illinois – John Druhot, 217-785-2768 or John.Druhot@illinois.gov.
Those interested in submitting a Computers and Electronics Recycling application should contact Sam Al-Basha, 217-785-2765, or Sam.Al-Basha@illinois.gov. To learn more about the Illinois Recycling Grants Program, go to www.illinoisrecycles.com.
Governor Pat Quinn announces a major public-private partnership between Microsoft and the State of Illinois to provide free technology training for up to 51,000 Illinoisans, starting July 31. Read the press release (PDF) to learn more about the Microsoft Elevate America initiative.
In cooperation with Microsoft Corporation, the State of Illinois is pleased to offer eligible citizens free vouchers that are redeemable for select Microsoft online courses and Microsoft business certification exams. Get the information technology skills, training and resources you need to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow. As more information on vouchers becomes available, it will be posted here.
Free Money, the ads shout. They continue to assert that there are millions of free government grants available just for the asking. Hold on, don’t waste your money on these promotions. The information is both misleading and you can find the information you need for free.
First, the misleading part. Every day the government announces new grant programs. A grant differs from a loan in that th money does not have to be paid back. But there is an enormous amount of paperwork involved in applying for the money, spending the money if you are selected as a grantee and final accounting for the funds. Often government funding does not require non-profit status.
Once you start searching for funding you will notice that many of the grant applications are for very specific bequests. Funding for first year neurosurgeons for example. Others need not bother to apply. What many of the books and informational products sold have done is copy the federal registry word for word and print it to sell you.
The information is free on www.grants.gov . Put in a search for the kinds of project you have in mind and the results will come to you. Applying can also be accomplished on line. You may find that hiring a grant coach can speed your search, save you time and help you in writing a winning proposal.
If you are looking for state funding then go to the appropriate state department website and look for a link for grants or funding. Contact your state to see if there are mailing lists where you can receive the information as it is announced.
Not looking for a grant but in need of funding for your businesses then check the availability of Angel Investors in your state or field. Or contact the Small Business Administration for loan opportunities.
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This article may be used on your blog or newsletter by copying the following information in it’s entirety: Keri Silk, MS is an author, grant writer and coach. She has worked with grants for over twenty years and established Funding Success in 2000. Contact Keri at kerisilk@fundingsuccess.us or call 866-279-8666.
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