Money in the news:
If you worked in 2011, and made less than $50,000, you are eligible for free tax preparation from United Way of Toledo. Call 211 or 1-800-650-HELP (4357) to set up an appointment.
The Maritime Academy in Toledo has received grants to train adults (for free), in the cruise ship business, with no cost to attendees. In early 2012, they will have at least seven classes of about 20 people for a course of study to prepare for work in the cruise ship business. If you want to apply, call 419-244-9999.
Ohio homeowners who are behind on their property taxes--even those without a mortgage--may be eligible for help with paying them in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. For more information, call 888-404-4674.
The ash tree removal program is back on for Lucas, Wood and Erie Counties in Ohio until the funding is exhausted. There is NO INCOME LIMIT, and the fund will pay for 40% of the cost share for the removal of up to 2 trees per property. For more information, see the website or call 1-800-775-9767. There is an application online.
Comcast has a program to offer high-speed internet access--and a low-cost computer--to households with at least one child who receives free school lunches. This is only for areas where Comcast has high-speed internet connections. See the Comcast website for more details, or call 1-855-846-8376.
Ohio is now giving cash bonuses to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For online applications, see the state web site,, or call 1-877-644-6838 for a paper application. There is also a website with eligibility requirements.
Truth and nonsense:
1) Billions in grant dollars are just lying around, waiting for deserving individuals to apply.
Truth: Most federal grants are earmarked for state and local governments and nonprofits. There are few funds that go directly from the federal government to individuals. In turn, those nonprofits, local and state governments create aid programs that are often in the form of reduced rate loans, loan guarantees, and tax breaks and incentives, and they vary from one state or locality to another. There are very few outright grants.
2) Lots of new business owners are eligible for grants.
Truth: Most aid that comes to businesses comes in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and tax incentives. In most instances, businesses that get outright grants have received them because they have 1) invested a great deal of money in a location, and the state or local government at that location gave them a grant to “sweeten the pot” and attract big business 2) suffered a disaster and got a disaster grant 3) promised to create a certain amount of jobs in the jurisdiction giving the grant. Many other “grants” touted on “free money” books and websites are in fact contracts with the government to create goods or services.
3) Minorities and women get lots of grants set aside just for them.
Truth: Except for education, few grants are set asides just for women and minorities. In some jurisdictions, set aside percentages have been created at government purchasing agencies to buy a certain amount of goods and services from women or minority owned companies, but these are payments for services, not grants. Many grants are created to give government agencies and nonprofit organizations money to create programs that help minorities and women, often in the form of counseling and loans.
***NOW: find strange new sources of (non)free money and financial help at the blog: Free Money Ate My Brain.***
Follow me on Twitter at: Toledolinda.
Linda Koss is the Grantsmanship Specialist for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, a position she has held since 1995. | 
