Individual applicants qualify to apply for funding on their own merit, without the backing of an institution. Private foundations and family trusts are more likely to award grants to individuals than the federal government. Private foundation awards may be small, but are easier to get than federal government grants.

Grant writers themselves may apply for individual projects that they would like to conduct. In fact, most grant writers have received their early training by applying for their own projects. Later on they transformed their skills into a profession.

One of the great perks of being a grant writer is the ability to apply for grants to further one’s own self designed projects

Grants to individuals are awarded for various purposes. Here is a list of common causes:

• Higher education
• Publishing books
• Conducting research
• Emergency funding
• Starting a small business
• Humanitarian work in developing countries

Individuals must develop an idea that shows promise of helping others. A good idea is one which overlooks the “me” philosophy and proceeds to the “us” rule. For example, a grant request to host health clinics for AIDS victims in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />India presents a more compelling cause than seeking funds to see the ancient Buddhist temples in Cambodia.

Individuals qualify for grants ranging anywhere from $500- $100,000 or more. 

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Grants for College Tuition

There are two basic categories of student financial aid:

•    Need-based

•    Non Need-based  

    When students do not have sufficient financial resources to pay for their education and careers, they are generally considered to have "financial need."  Non need-based aid is often referred to as merit-based aid and is frequently awarded to students in recognition of special skills, talents, or academic abilities.   See chapter 21 for listings of places that award grants to students for college tuition, graduate research, scholarships, and other educational funding.    

Emergency Grants

    Individuals qualify for emergency expenses that help with their day to day living expenses. Some of the categories for emergency living expenses include:

• Health insurance
• Hospital bills
• Loan and debt payments
• Disaster relief from events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and tsunami
• Monthly rent/mortgage
• Payment of medical bills
• Addiction recovery expenses (rehabilitation for alcoholic treatment; substance abuse treatment; psychotherapy, detoxification, sober living counseling)
• Food and clothing
• Physical therapy
• Child care, babysitting expenses
• Insurance
• Utility Bill Subsidies
  
  This page was last updated on october 27th, 2009