The Sheffield Township Fire Department in Lorain, Ohio has been awarded grant money from FEMA’s AFG program.  The total amount of the grant is $46,805.00 with the Federal share being $45,035.00.  This grant money is for operations.  The announcement came on 12-12-2008 in round 15 of AFG grant announcements.  Gatchell Grant Resources is happy to have assisted the Sheffield Township Fire Department in securing this grant money.

The Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department in Dundee, Ohio has received grant money in the form of an AFG grant.  The total grant amount is $46, 102.00 with a Federal share of $43,797.00.  The announcement of this Assistance to Firefighters Grant came in round 13 on 11-28-2008.  This grant money has been awarded to be used for operations.  We at Gatchell Grant Resources are thrilled to have been of assistance to the Wayne Township VFD.

The Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department in Huntville, Ohio was awarded grant money in round 12 of the AFG grant awards.  The grant amount is $25,000 with a federal share of $24,320.00.  This grant money will be used for operations.  The Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department will be able to put this grant money to good use.  We at Gatchell Grant Resources are thrilled to have assisted another agency in submitting a successful grant money request.

I was reading a local newspaper today and I read of local government projects that would be eliminated due to decreased tax revenue as a result of the current economic downturn.  While it is true that tax revenues are down, that does does not mean that all of the projects need to be eliminated.  Nowhere did the story ever mention the local government applying for grant money.  It could be that the author did not know of an application for grant money, or it could be that the local government did not apply for grant money.  Many of the projects listed for the chopping block are projects that have the possibility of being awarded grant money for funding.  

There is grant money available from the Federal Government, State Government, and private foundations just waiting to be claimed.  Many people, including local government leaders, do not know where to go to ask for grant money for project funding.  This is where we come in.  Our staff are very familiar with sources of grant money, and how to apply for it.  There is a possibility that a project you thought needed axed can be saved by funding with grant money.  

Contacy our staff today to discuss funding your project with grant money.

Harmony Township Fire & EMS (South Vienna, Ohio) has received a much needed Assistance to Firefighters Grant.  The grant money has been awarded for “Operations and Safety.”  The grant money will be used for purchase of much needed equipment.  The total project cost is $29,150.00 and the federal share is $27,693.00.  The announcement of this grant award was made November 14, 2008.

Harmony Township Fire & EMS will be able to better serve the public, thanks to this grant money.

We can help your organization secure grant money too!  Contact us with your ideas that need funding.

The City of Brunswick Division of Fire (Brunswick, Ohio) has been awarded grant money in the form of an Assistance to Firefighters Grant.  The federal share of this grant is $118,011.00.  This grant money will be used for “Operations and Safety.”  The project will replace the entire communications system for the Division of Fire.  The total project cost is $130,523.00.  The announcement of this grant award was made on November 14, 2008.

The City of Brunswick Division of Fire are just one of our clients who received grant money this week. 

The Canton Township (Stark County, Ohio) Board of Trustees has been awarded $31,561.00 in grant money to fund a community walking track.  This grant money is from the Ohio Nature Works Grant.  The announcement came in round 15 on November 15, 2008.  

The Canton Township Board of Trustees are just one of our clients who received grant money this week. 

There has been a little confusion as to the area served by Gatchell Grant Resources LLC.  While it is true that out website is www.ohiograntwriters.com, we serve a much larger area.  We hope that this post will clear this up.

Area Served by Gatchell Grant Resources

Grant availability is abundant for 2009 and although Gatchell Grant Resources is located in northeastern Ohio, we serve clients throughout the country.

We enjoy meeting our grant clients in person, and make every attempt to do so; however in today’s day and age email is an avenue that works well with clients. This very valuable means of communication was not possible 10 years ago.

Do not hesitate to contact Gatchell Grant Resources with your grant related needs and questions, no matter where you are located.

Gatchell Grant Resources welcomes invitations to speak to your group with programs and educational grant topics specifically designed to meet your needs.  Speaking engagements range from motivational, to women’s business groups, to governmental conferences and round table discussions with a variety of grant topics including:

Very Basic Grants 101

Developing Grants

Grants for Public Safety Services

Disaster Strikes! Navigating the FEMA Maze

Members of our team have taught grant writing classes at Adult Community Education Classes through local school systems (BCI background complete) as well as Ohio and Indiana Township State conferences.  We have also had the privilege of presenting at the National Association of Small Towns and Townships conference in Washington, DC.

We get many questions from new clients or potential clients asking questions that can sometimes be hard to find answers to online.  We have posted a list of those questions and answers here in one place.  We hope that this grant information will be of assistance to you.  

Very Basic Grant Information

What is a grant?
Simply put a grant is funding, services, or a product provided by a benefactor who wants to solve a problem.  Grant funds do not have to be paid back.

Who are the benefactors?
Benefactors include the federal, state, or local public entity, foundations, corporations, and private individuals who have set up a special foundation or trust account with the purpose of furthering a special interest cause.

Who can apply for a grant?
Grants are generally awarded to communities, public safety services, non-profit 501c3 organizations, educational, and health institutions. This list is not all inclusive.

Why are grants not funded?
Application was never submitted.
 If you do not ask for the grant you are guaranteed 100% non-funding.
The next reason for denial is that directions were not followed EXACTLY.

Where do I look for grants?
Searching for grants can be overwhelming to the beginner and seasoned grant applicant.  Grants can be found on the internet (using very specific words to start search), libraries are a great source of written materials, newsletters, periodicals, and networking with others who have written or received grants.

Do I have to do follow up paperwork after grant is awarded?
Yes.  Grantees are held to a high accountability standard that will withstand audits.  So their funding must be accurately expended and reported by the agency receiving their awards.  Accountability for the recipient is normally detailed in the guideline.  Accountability must also meet all local or state requirements when dealing with public agencies.  Remember, when dealing with budgets; details and supporting documentation must be maintained and made available upon request.

Does my organization have to put any money towards a grant?
 Depending on the grant guidelines a specified percentage might be required.  Sometimes “in-kind” services including equipment hours can be used toward the required match.
These are issues that need to be discussed prior to application and award.

Grant writing sounds like work; is it?
Yes, but for the time invested the rewards to be reaped will help your organization solve problems, acquire equipment, or man-power that otherwise might take years to accomplish.

These are just a few grant basics.  As we build our site, we hope to provide you and your organization with as much detailed information about grants as possible.  We are starting with the basics of grants and we will then get more involved.