Women And Government Grants
The government offers grants for women totaling more than $20 billion. The purposes of government grants for women include to help women start their own businesses, obtain an affordable education and seek safe and quality housing. Women applying for government grants should be honest and accurate with the information they list on the grant applications to avoid disqualification and legal consequences.
Significance of Grants
The reason for grants for women is the disadvantages women have when applying for non-gender based grants. Women make up 51 percent of the U.S. population, still women are considered a minority and receive 75 percent less pay than male counterparts for the same job. History has shown that women are discriminated against, overlooked and underserved when it comes to grants. The government grants awarded solely to women give women the opportunity to succeed and prevail.
Assistance with Government Grants
The Small Business Administration offers assistance to women who are seeking government business grants to open a business or help with an existing business. The SBA assists women in developing structured business plans to present to committees and boards that approve government grant applications. The SBA has access to private databases with numerous government grants that are available to women only.
Types of Government Grants
Government grants for women are not solely awarded to women owning their own businesses. Other types of government grants available to women include grants for women attending colleges, universities and other educational or technical programs. Other types of government grants women can apply for can be used for health-care procedures, home renovation, research and other personal, family or business needs.
Fraud Prevention
There are requirements women must meet when applying for government grants. Each grant awarded has its very own application process. Since these grants are awarded by the US government, women who apply for the government grants must legally be declared a U.S. citizen to qualify. Falsifying documentation to meet citizen requirements is illegal and considered fraud. The applicant can be fined or possibly face time in jail, depending on the discretion of the federal courts.
Considerations
Once a woman has been awarded the government grant, she should consider several factors. The federal government generally verifies where the federal funds have gone, and if the woman has used the funds accurately and accordingly. Keeping a record showing how the federal funds have been distributed is strongly recommended. Women who receive government grants should consider thanking the funding agency for the award. The thank you could make a good impression when applying for a grant with the same agency in the future.
