Hi,

I need money to start/maintain a not-for-profit based business, as
well as for college (possibly medical school).  The business is a free
web-based counselling site, that will be very simlar to samartans.org.
 It can be found at http://www.bobthebartender.org/

I've heard of government grants, so I guess I'll ask for that,
although any other ideas you have are welcome.  Specifically, what I
need is one of two things:

(A).  At least three links to various high quality grant finding/proposal writing
companies.  The researcher should rate specific things about them such
as: (1) do they offer a money back garantee of any kind? (2) do they have an 800
number? (3) do they offer grant writing software or a customer rep.
who does it for you?  *(4) What's the bottom line fee?  etc...in other
words, the comparison shouldn't just be a "5-star" rating system that
isn't collaboratable with something tangible, as many money-driven
comparison engines do that
are little more than advertisements themselves.

(B.)  OR....a website or two that basically does the equivalent of (A).  

Any other out-of-the-box ideas you have for finding scholarship/grant
money or free money for college/non-profit businesses is greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

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Request for Question Clarification by siliconsamurai-ga on 20 Mar 2005 14:03 PST

There is no grant money for starting non-profit businesses. Don't
spend any money on that famous guy's grant programs, you'll only help
fund his next infomertial.

Check out grants.gov if you really want to waste your time but you
need to be a community-based organization to qualify for about 99.99%
of those grant programs.

http://www.grants.gov/FindGrantOpportunities?search=basic

check them out if you don't believe me.

IF you believe it, this clarification has acutally saved you days of
wasted effort and probably a lot of money, so, if you are willing to
accept common sense and experience as an answer, let me know and I
will post this as an answer - otherwise, best wishes, but don't say
you weren't warned.

By the way, there are lots of scholarships, for example, if you cah
get accepted to harvard and your parents make under about
$35,000/year, there is no tuition cost.

For medical school, look to the military.

Best of luck,
silicon

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Clarification of Question by andersod2-ga on 21 Mar 2005 19:58 PST

This answer is not much more than pessimism really.  I don't doubt
that it's easy to get ripped off, but I find it hard to believe there
isn't money out there for this endeavor, government or not.  My
website embodies the whole purpose of non-profit business, and I'm
certain there are those who will help me find money without ripping me
off.  That's the jist of my question...