Local Government Assistance?

I'm wondering if anyone here has experience getting help for local/rural governments. Grant programs and the like on a National or State level (Illinois) seem like the way to go. There are two projects I have in mind. One is improvement of water supply (mains and need for a new tower and processing facility) and the other is to connect our small town up to the local canal system bike path. There have been millions spent refurbishing the canal for a bike path, but there's no real easy or safe way to get to it without driving or riding on roads! We could also use some ideas on encouraging more industry and tourism if you have them.

I admit I've done no research on this yet, but I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction so I don't waste my time chasing dead ends.

Thanks!

Sounds like first thing you need is a grant writer. They know how to play nice with the money men, and they also know who is out there.

As for where to look for the money, a large enough library, particularly a college library, should have a book that is basically a listing of grant providing agencies. I wish I could rememember the title, if you pm a reminder, I'll ask my mother. She's gotten grants for the hospital she works for, so she knows the book in question.

You might also try your local ag extension, if you have one. Odd how the funny stuff we go looking for is tied to small farms....

PM sent.

That may be the book for health and healthcare grants. I've checked amazon, but I'd be glad for a particular title. A lot of them are about personal/business grants and not necessarily for civil/government ones.

I never thought that there would be so many books... I may have to school myself in grant writing. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I wrote two grants last year. I started by visiting a local Community Foundation that has a grant library. The library seems to have every book ever published on grant writing. As far as sources of money, they have a wonderful computer search tool which lists every foundation and grantor in the country. It allows you to search by project type and location. There is also a very helpful librarian who got me started. You might try an Internet search for "community foundation" + your state or area. Good luck. It takes some work, but there is money out there for just about any cause.

Back when I was writing grant applications, we got some assistance from a private association called the Massachusetts Municipal Association designed to help cities and towns in various areas.. See if your state has an equivalent.

http://www.iml.org/

Thanks! Great information everyone... I'll definitely be looking into libraries and other resources for assistance. Much appreciated.

Yes, I've sucessfully gotten several grants for our local fire company (I'm a member).
www.grants.gov is a great starting point.

Ask some of the folks in Utica... they seem to be doing exceedingly well in both departments <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

Actually, we've done grants for fire and rescue agencies as well out of the house, along with schools and libraries.

I was in error. It isn't a book, it just sounds like it. The Federal Grant Registry is a website. It's basically a summery of who gives how much for what, and where to get ahold of them. Try USDA and the Dept of the Interior along with your similiar state agencies. That's the word from a former grant writer.

A couple of years ago, I was in a restaurant seated in the next booth to a loud business-type woman with a cell phone who never shut up the whole time we were there. But...

She was telling someone (who apparently disagreed) that he/she would have to learn to write grants because professional grant writers take about 50% of the grant money as their fee. I don't understand this, as I understand that you usually have to account for all the money on your project.

Just overheard it, never verified it.

p.s. Check http://www.federalgrantswire.com

Sue

Not true. They work by hourly rate. Which usually starts in the same price bracket as a good attorney.