NO THEY DON'T! At least not to use for whatever you want. However, if you want to use grant money for something that government is interested in funding, and you file a grant application that gets approved, then things can get interesting.

Let's take a closer look:

The government has loads of grant programs that they offer. In fact, at last count, there were 1569 of them. That's 1569 possibilities that someone in U.S. government is going to be willing to give you some free money. The only issue is: Which government grant(s) do you qualify for, and how do you find out?

Broadly speaking, there are 15 major grant categories. They are:

(A) Formula Grants Allocations of money to States or their subdivisions in accordance with distribution formulas prescribed by law or administrative regulation, for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project.

(B) Project Grants The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.

(C) Direct Payments for Specified Use Financial assistance from Federal government provided directly to individuals, private firms, and other private institutions to encourage or subsidize a particular activity by conditioning receipt of assistance on a particular performance by recipient. This does not include solicited contracts for procurement of goods and services for Federal government.

(D) Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use Financial assistance from Federal government provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy Federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on recipient as to how money is spent. Included are payments under retirement, pension, and compensatory programs.

(E) Direct Loans Financial assistance provided through lending of Federal monies for a specific period of time, with a reasonable expectation of repayment. Such loans may or may not require payment of interest.

(F) Guaranteed/Insured Loans Programs in which Federal government makes an arrangement to identify a lender against part or all of any defaults by those responsible for repayment of loans.

(G) Insurance Financial assistance provided to assure reimbursement for losses sustained under specified conditions. Coverage may be provided directly by Federal government or through private carriers and may or may not involve payment of premiums.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver

Last week was one heck of a week! It all started with what I thought was a toothache. After a few days of building pain, I reluctantly went to my dentist to see what was problem. I was hesitant because I was convinced outcome was sure to be expensive. I Probably needed a crown or, gasp - a root canal.

My dentist told me there was clearly no problem with my tooth. I was relieved and confused. What was causing extreme pain I was in? We kicked around possible ideas and I went home to wait and see what would develop.

Within twenty-four hours what developed was a fever and pain had escalated. This time I went to my doctor and he diagnosed me with an acute sinus infection. It felt great to have an answer and some antibiotics. I went home to bed and collapsed.

Days later I still felt lousy. I was still in pain, unable to eat solid food and, more challengingly, I was getting very frustrated and impatient with how long it was taking to recover. I have a life to live, clients to tend to and a business to run!