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I was in the same frame of mind as you,thinking that this was a real grant program -wroung, they are nothing more than a front for a consulting frim - they haven't given out one grant to one real person in the U.S.A. do your research and see who sarah morgonstine is and what here connection to this scam is. Also i bet your rep. is ann ross, it seems that she is everyones rep. i have been in cotact with 15 other business people who have applied for this so-call grant not one of them have recived it. All were told that they where no considered for a grant. when you get your letter of denial then get back whit me. it is a scam.

matching funds is not a requirment but if you actually took the time to read the funding guidelines it says clearly that prefrence is given to those with matching funds....so if you applied with 10 other people and only 5 could get funds ... the 5 with matching funds would be picked..this shows that they are not carrying you on their backs, rather you would be able to put in your own money as well...do your reading before complaining this is clearly stated on their website

They are legit... I have read a few of your comments about the lines being messed up in sections of their website, um thats just your computer because I can see everything very clearly. I have applied and am awaiting my decision, there is no money asked for, and for those of you that are saying that they are a scam because they ask for no money...you need to do your research. A legit grant will not cost you anything!!! If you are being charged then it is a scam! The people who offer these grants and review your proposals are the people who are using these grants as a tax break, its that much more money that they do not pay taxes on and they are doing something good with it. So before calling them a scam maybe you should do your research! My rep has been nothing but helpful and I am just sitting here with my fingers crossed that I will recieve the grant money I applied for. They even provide free of charge templates for you to use to write a quality business plan and marketing plan all you have to do is fill in your ideas.

To all concerned with (the scam leadershipgrants of america) After 4months of waiting & asking questions about thier prgram i was truned down for thier so called grant no reason given just an Email from ann ross saying i didnt get considered for thier grant, this came after i told them that i or no one eles could not find one person or business that has recived a grant from them. I belive that this false organization is palgarizing other peoples business ideas/ and seeking to get applicants to use their consulting frim to write the business plans for a large fee inwhich they get a kick back. also they are connected with (sarah morganstien who is involed with a online dating site for cheating wives,this is nothing but a scam ,and all of us should file complaints with the new jersey bbb, and the us attorney general office on this false company

It's a scam. check out this blog. laredobookstoreblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/leadership-grants-organization-oh-sweet.html The Leadership Grant Program looks legit, but it is really a front for business plan consultants. It's barely legal what they're doing. Here's how it works. They sell you on the idea that if you submit your business plan, you could be eligible for start up grants of up to $100,000. After you make the initial application, you will be contacted by a consulting firm wanting you to pay them to write your business plan application. They charge thousands of dollars to write your plan and pay some of the money back to the Leadership Grant Program in the form of 'sponsorship'. They only pay out grant money if their sponsorship receipts exceed their expenses! You are never obligated to use the consultant's services. But if you don't - they find some manufactured reason to reject your application. To the best of my knowledge, no one has received money from this program. Google and Canada 411 searches on the list of recipients comes up empty. Worst of all, the Leadership Grants Program has YOUR great business idea and a complete business plan on how to implement it for NOTHING. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

Thanks for the info. In the event that this is a scam and leadershipgrants is palgarizing other peoples business plans what can we do about it? there must be a legal recourse to get them investigated. I have sent in a request/business plan that i wrote myself with support letters from other business people in my city. I truly hope this is not a scam it cost me money to copy and mail the 3 business plans,not to mention my time and the time of other people who wrote letters for me. I should get a letter from (l.s.g.) by the end of this month saying yea or nea. any legal advice that you can share will be very helpful to all of us who only want a true hand up-in gettig our business's going. beys novelties & gifts kc,mo

Thank for the info,as well i am waiting for a letter from (the review panel) my request/business plan along with dd items were sent in on time and with support letters from other business men here in kansas city,mo. ann ross is also my rep. and she has told mr the same thing ,should here some thing by end of this month. will keep you posted good luck with your request and my your business be a hit. j.bey-beys novelties &gifts kansas city,mo

Hello,   We submitted a grant request and Business Plan on July 15, 2010.  Due diligence paperwork was submitted on august 15, 2010.  I spoke with Ann Ross on the phone last week, and was told that award letters would be sent out between October 15 and the end of the year.  According to the website, grants are reviewed quarterly.  I'll let you know what happens, please keep me updated with anything you may know.  Best of luck to you.   Kristina Allred, Desert Bloom Acupuncture

Ewade, thanks for the info, I am also wating to here if my grant request is approved or not. Just like you i dont have matching funds(was told by ann ross that matching funds is not a prequsite to getting a grant ) we will see. I do agree on the long wait for approval this is not professional,as a small business owner here in kansas city ,mo. i too spent time in getting my request /business plan right to meet their standards. In the applicant guide that comes in the mail under the heading-funding guidelines the 2nd to last thing is 'give priorty to applicants that can demonstrate matching funds'. As to dd items I sent them a letter stating that i didnt have any and this is the reason I was seeking a grant to grow my business,it would seem to me that people with money would'nt ask for a grant you know. my funding end date is 9/30/10 will keep you posted on what happens. thanks for the response and good luck with gettin help for your business. jbey-beys novelties & gifts kc,mo.