Private grants and foundation funding
The main difference between government and private grants for women is the source of funding. Private non-governmental organizations, foundations, and corporations fund private grants, while the government funds government grants. Private establishments usually have a fund or endowment that they use to help charitable, academic, religious, and other agencies. These agencies, in turn, are the ones that offer the grants to the public. They are usually non-profit organizations. The programs for the private grants for women are determined by the non-profits. It is usually associated to their interests. Since free funds are given, the selection process is quite competitive. It must be noted, however, that federal government grants for women are more competitive than private ones. More people apply for them. However, when you apply for a private grant, you still need to follow all instructions and make sure your application is complete. An incomplete application may mean disqualification. There are many different private grants for women; therefore, you will surely find one that interests you and fits your needs. Some focus on professional life, while others focus on scientific research. Other grants focus on religious or cultural goals. With such a broad range of covered fields, it is no wonder grants are so popular and writing a grant proposal has become so popular.
Current programs & official sources
The text above is preserved from the original grantsandwomen.com article. The information below is added to bring it up to date with current, official sources.
Current examples of legitimate private/foundation funding include the AAUW Fellowships & Grants and research fellowships from agencies and foundations. Reputable sponsors publish their criteria and deadlines openly and never charge a fee to apply.
Avoid grant scams
Legitimate grants are free to apply for. Walk away from anyone who:
- guarantees you a grant, or says you were 'selected' for money you never applied for;
- charges an upfront 'processing', 'application', or 'grant kit' fee;
- asks for your bank-account or card number to 'deposit' a grant;
- pressures you to act immediately.
Verify any program directly at its official .gov site, and report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. More on our grant-scam awareness page.
The main article above is preserved from the original grantsandwomen.com. We added current programs and official sources, and removed the old site's predatory 'free grant money' homepage hype, fabricated totals/testimonials, and paid-funnel links.
Frequently asked questions
Are grants for women really free money?
No. Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but they are competitive, eligibility-bound, and never guaranteed. They are not personal cash hand-outs, and applying is free — anyone charging a fee is a scam.
Where should I look for legitimate grants?
Start with official sources: Grants.gov for federal grants, Benefits.gov for assistance programs, and studentaid.gov for education aid. Go directly to a .gov address rather than a search ad.
Does the government give personal cash grants to pay bills?
No. Despite what fraudulent ads claim, the federal government does not give personal cash grants to pay bills or debt. Bill-related help comes through specific assistance programs with eligibility rules.