Before you go after the money, outline the mission of your project. Most funding sources will require a detailed outline of the problem your project addresses, how you plan to address it and what resources will be needed. Check out these sites for grantwriting tips:
 | Grant Writing Tools A step-by-step guide to the often complex, confusing and painstaking process. The guide covers everything from beginning to write to accepting awards. |
| A
Proposal Writing Short Course The Foundation Center breaks down the components of a good proposal. |
| Grantwriting USA This guide for grantwriters offers tips on finding federal and corporate grants. |
August 5, 2010: Government Announces Go Direct®: Electronic Deposits for Federal Benefit Payments
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The Obama administration recently announced Go Direct®, a new program allowing recipients of many government benefits to receive all payments electronically. As a result of this program, benefit recipients will now receive payments more quickly and securely through direct deposit for services like unemployment insurance, veterans benefits, Social Security payments and Railroad Retirement benefits.
To learn more about this program and enroll online, visit www.GoDirect.gov. To get started you will need the following key pieces of information regarding your federal benefit payment(s):
| Benefit recipient's Social Security number |
| Claim number or the 12-digit check number of your last federal benefit check |
| Spelling of names and address information as they appear on the federal benefit check |
| Payment amount of the benefit recipient's last federal benefit checks |
| Bank routing number |
| Bank account number |
If you are a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
check recipient, you can sign up for the
Direct Express Debit Master Card. Having a Direct Express card will
allow you to receive benefits electronically while giving you the
convenience and security of using electronic transactions to spend and
access your money. You do not need a bank account to sign up for the card
and there is no credit check or minimum balance requirement. Once you sign
up, you will receive your Social Security or SSI benefits on the Direct
Express card. Your money will be automatically deposited to the card
account on your payment date. Use your card to withdraw cash from
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), make purchases at stores that accept
Debit MasterCard, pay bills online and to buy money orders at the U.S.
Post Office.
Don’t forget to also visit
GovBenefits.gov
and complete the quick and easy questionnaire to learn about a variety of
other government assistance programs that you may be eligible to receive.