Since 2001, we've posted 20,576 different business opportunities and ideas, so you're sure to find something here to inspire you!
Stimulus Grant Scams
Tough economic times make fertile breeding ground for scammers and this recession is no different.
Since the $787 billion stimulus bill became law in February, dozens of websites have popped up offering advice for a fee on how to get government grants on everything from small business initiatives to paying off student loan debt.
The BBB has received hundreds of complaints about sites like federalgrantsolutions.com, which billed consumers $70 a month on their credit cards for info they thought was free.
First, know that the government doesn’t hand out grants for paying off personal debt and grants are usually given to non-profits.
If you want to know how to apply for a government grant for a non-profit or small business initiative, that info is readily available for free at grants.gov and sba.gov.
Photo by svilen001.
Related Businesses in the Directory
Related Posts
Related Resources
GoEverywhere Team on March 25th, 2009 9:20 am
Amazing how this article shows the darker side of this recession, after I just finished reading another article about businesses stepping in to give a helping hand to those out of a job in these tough times. For example: A dry cleaner with a sign up in the window offering free dry cleaning for those with a scheduled interview. May not be altruistic (they probably intend to generate word-of-mouth advertising and long-term customers), but it is honest and legit nonetheless.
Unlike what you are talking about in this article. Why does there always have to be a dark side?
Jaclyn on March 27th, 2009 12:33 pm
That is so true how many people and so called businesses claim they can get you your own part of the stimulus package or free grant money! i get a dozen emails everyday from scammers offering me grant money or part of the stimulus package. i realize even those people need to find new way’s in this economy of making money and supporting themselves…but come on…can’t they find something that is honest, legitimate and doesn’t further more hurt our economy and the people they target?
Jamie Nast on March 31st, 2009 12:13 pm
Does anyone know if National Growth Funding, Inc. is a scam when it comes to providing grants. They want $2,950 upfront for a $500,000 grant. You pay an additional $2,950 once you’ve received half of your grant. Sounds fishy, but would like someone else’s insight. Their website is http://ngf-sanantonio.com and they have no address on the website.
Kelly Max on June 17th, 2009 5:11 am
Hello,
I would like to tell everyone that these people asked me to pay for getting a grant. I thought grants were free. I have looked up these names that are above and can not find any references of them, not even the buildings they say they are in. I looked them up on all maps yahoo, google maps and there is nothing on them. It says they are accredited by the B.B.B but I guess anyone can with the right amount of money. The only address that shows is the one in san antonio. I really think that something is very wrong here. They also have other affiliates, which i think are the same people and there web sites in my opinion are not very professional. No i will not let you screw me out of my hard earned money.
Kelly Max on June 17th, 2009 5:19 am
Hello,
Comment posted earlier I think it makes a good point.
Is there any truth to the myth that there are government grants for small businesses?
I get calls from people that have paid to attend a seminar. The then pay someone to prepare a grant proposal for them and submit the proposals and wait. No one I have spoken to has been able to say that they got money to start a small business.
I have not been able to find anything that even comes close to free money or grants. Sure there are web sites that will sell you a list or write a grant proposal. But I have found no one that has actually got any money.
Therefore I lay down the challenge to anyone who can show me a legitimate government grant program for starting a small business.
Teri on July 1st, 2009 5:15 pm
My husband and I also received a package from National Growth Funding. It is a very fishy company for a lot of reasons. First, on their website and paperwork they don’t tell you what percentage of small businesses actually have received any type of grant money. Second, look at their testimonials, there is not one small business listed among them. The Alanta Falcons and Chamber of Commerce are not small businesses. Third, we are a small business that is accredited by the B.B.B. You pay money to be accredited by them. Fourth, why do they need money upfront. I get what the director is saying, but if you can insure that we will receive a grant then why aren’t they able to take it from the grant money? For a small business grant, wouldn’t it be a business expense to pay the company that wrote the grant for you? They claim to take out the second payment out of the grant, so why don’t they take the whole lump sum from the grant? Either one, there is no grant, which means they are a scam, or second their average percentage of actually receiving grants for small businesses is not very good, and that’s why they want paid upfront. The director compared it to a tax consultant. Bad example. Most tax consultants take their fees from your refund or bill you for their services. If they are a real business and have a high success rate, then they would be able to be paid from the grants received.
We are very disappointed with this kind of scam. Small business owners work very hard to keep alive with our terrible economy. For someone to try this type of scam on us is very disappointing. We also do not know of any small business that has received grant money. On their website they sent the same message, the fact that none of their testimonials are small businesses.
Dave Langley on July 3rd, 2009 6:25 am
I asked for references from National Growth Funding but they referred me to their website for testimonials. Any company that can not offer a potential client a reference seems fishy.
Paul Dietmann on July 3rd, 2009 7:09 am
Folks,
In general, there are no grants available for people simply because their businesses are in financial trouble. Grants are typically awarded for creative ideas that need further development or that offer some public benefit.
If you have a grant-worthy idea and need help writing an application, there are reputable grant writers in every state. You don’t need to use a fly-by-night company that only appears to do business over the phone or web. A good grant writer will help you assess your idea before writing the application; they want to build a successful track record and will only write if there is a high likelihood of success.
To get connected with a reputable grant writer, contact your state’s Department of Commerce (or similar agency), small business development center, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), or other group that has knowledge and connections to help you.
Paul Dietmann
WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Angela P. on July 22nd, 2009 11:12 am
I have been a client with NGF for two years. The first 6 months I did not recieve a grant but the following six month period I did! What you have to understand is that this is a service with no guarantee! You are a business owner that is highering a company to research,letter write,grant writing,application filing, and negotiating with funders for you so that you can actually get funded. This is a great investment to go after funds every year that is Free and that you dont have to pay back. But you have to spend money for someone to do it for you if you dont know how or have the time. So relax on the pointing fingers and understand what they do for you!!!! I know that every time I higher them that I might not get anything but at least I can say that I applied and will try again the following year!!!!
Darlene Q. on August 4th, 2009 2:31 pm
Angela P., what kind of business do you have??
Scott F. on August 4th, 2009 9:40 pm
Hello Darlene Q. Have you been talking with NGF too? I am thinking it is a scam. Anyone else have any experiences good or bad with this company?
Dick B. on October 11th, 2009 4:53 am
Thanx, They almost got me. We urgently need the grants talked about in my conversation with NGF and that makes it easier to be swayed. I have 20 employees that I’m trying to keep in a job and the guy at NGF seemed to think it would be no problem to keep them working. It’s back to “If it sounds to good to be true, It probably is.” Thanx Again!!
Kristy on October 16th, 2009 8:27 am
I just became a client two months ago! Everything is fine my profile was done, I got my research back and have spoken to one of the best grant writers. The grant writer was very helpful and told me exactly what is going to happen when my grant is approved. I have recived some feed back from a funder that i have been in direct contact with since they are requesting more info. I know I made the right choice. Becareful with the other companys who try to be like NGF!!
Kim on December 14th, 2009 12:56 pm
Kristy, please let us know when you get your funds. Everyone who have spoke about NGF have not mentioned that they received any funds.
Angela P on December 28th, 2009 4:27 pm
I have a elderly care home health clinic! And yes I did receive FUNDS and much more from NGF. The key is listening to every option NGF gives you. Bad blogs is bad for business I bet some of you could use some bad blogs yourself. No one or no Corp. is perfect. If you don’t want to do business with someone then don’t do it. It is that easy! So stop bashing or slandering! just get to work!
Myra on January 16th, 2010 5:20 am
I have been meaning to warn people about this company for some time now. Ngf used to be National Grant Writing Authority they were located 6094 Sandhill Road suite 400. They moved and renamed themselves. How do I know all this, I know people who work there. If you would like more information please feel free to cantact me phatass5150@yahoo.com.
Maegie on March 8th, 2010 8:02 pm
NO ONE has received grant money from National Growth Funding. Anyone on here who says they did is simply someone from that company lying and acting like they are a customer. DONT BE A FOOL with your money. National Growth Funding is a scam. If you dont believe me, SEND THEM MONEY. They will call back later after you are a client and try to “reload” you for more money. YOU WILL NEVER GET A GRANT If you still have too much money and want to give it to a scam, instead of doing that just give it to me. I an a sincere hard working lady and I will NEVER trust another company like the SCAM NATIONAL GROWTH FUNDING in San Antonio Texas AGAIN. Thieves, scam, bs, crooks, ripoffs, total rip offs. Go ahead and send them money and then wait for the “reload” from there so called “Grant Funding Director”or whatever bs they want to call the loser and then go ahead and send them more money. What a scam. You will NOT get a grant from National Growth Funding. Like I said, if you dont believe me, send them your hard earned cash. And wave good bye as Fed Ex picks up your check along with the paperwork, because you just got scammed…..
national growth funding is a scam on April 12th, 2010 11:32 pm
watch out for ng funding and national growth funding in san antonio. I worked there doing research and they are SCAMMERS. Don’t give them any $$, instead you should search for them on google. You will find them on complaintsboard.com and ripoffreport.com. They are doing fraud and scamming people, DO NOT USE THEM
NGF is a fraud on August 27th, 2010 12:34 pm
It’s funny how many complaints there are about this company. We actually became a client and was scammed for money. We went to the Attorney General in our state and also reported to the BBB. Well, guess what? They now have a rating of “F” because they would not respond to our complaint. They are showing their true colors now!!! Don’t let your friends do any buisness with them.
Nicole on July 14th, 2011 6:24 am
Hello, Does anyone know and it always takes me back to the website when it says to claim no about USFinancial Resource if its a scam??? I think it is They never reply back to me about my confirmation number and when it says click here to claim it takes me back to the same website???
Leave a Reply