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    krisparker's Avatar
    krisparker Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 6, 2008, 09:30 PM
    Can a convicted felon get a grant or loan?
    I was wondering if there any loans or grants that convicted felons can get to start a business?
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #2

    Jul 6, 2008, 11:21 PM
    Hi, krisparker!

    What you do is apply for grants or loans like anyone else. The possibility of obtaining a grant depends on the type of business it is that you are wanting to start. If it is one that will benefit the community in a great and far-reaching way, like something concerning education, or a business that will help those in need who can't particularly afford services or goods like a lot of people can, would be more likely to receive a grant. Obtaining loans are generally easier to get.

    A person who has a conviction on their record; has done their time in whatever way, can apply for grants or loans just like anyone else. I don't know of any special grants just because someone has been convicted of a felony.

    There are places in the U.S. however, that have organizations that do help people with criminal records to obtain jobs and maybe advise in terms of starting a business. Around where I live and also in the Chicago area, one such organization would be the Safer Foundation. Link is here: Home - Safer Foundation Perhaps there is such an organization around where you live?

    Two other great places to get advice for starting businesses are http://www.sba.gov/ and SCORE | Counselors to America's Small Business | SCORE

    What kind of business is it that you are wanting to start, please? Depending on what the business is, it might not cost you as much as you might think in order to start it. I have a number of small, service-oriented businesses that I run. If there's something that I need in order to do whatever business that I do, I can generally borrow what I need from someone that I know until I am able to purchase it myself. Those sort of things that I might need would be certain tools.

    Also, you can advertise your business on many, many sites on the Internet for free! You can also have any number of free websites! I'm thinking of getting rid of my ads in the Yellow Pages of the local phone book, because of the cost, and just relying on the business that I get from my ads placed on the Internet. I get much more business from my Internet advertising anyway.

    Again, what kind of business is it that you are wanting to start, please?

    Thanks!
    patrickbonnett's Avatar
    patrickbonnett Posts: 2, Reputation: 2
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    #3

    Jul 7, 2008, 07:18 PM
    Yes, with one main condition; You must stop thinking of yourself as a "convicted felon." Once you have served your time and completed any parole, probation or restitution requirements you are hereto a "former felon" and never a word need to be said about it. Unless you are seeking a JOB and the application asks the question. In that case you probably wouldn't be looking for grants other than job training or further education. If your goal is to start a business then you are considered by some to be the best of friends the government could ask for. You are an entrepreneur and fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon your outlook, you must apply for grants just like anyone else. As a former felon you will be just as qualified as anyone else unless the program you are seeking funding from specifically denies access to persons with a felony on their record. Yes, you'll need to find a suitable program to meet your needs, click here Welcome, send for the application kit then submit the kit and probably send it along with your business plan. To become a good friend of the government, you'll need to answer these three questions to make it worth their while to take a chance on you:
    How many new jobs will you create?
    How much new tax revenue will your enterprise generate?
    What new economic activity will your company or project bring to the community?
    Make it worthwhile and you may find your local, State and Federal governments begging to give you funds. Best of luck!
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #4

    Jul 8, 2008, 12:27 AM
    Excellent, helpful and informative post by patrickbonnett above! The one thing that strikes me as being to most powerful about it, is right at the beginning. And, that would be for a person who has been convicted of a felony to stop thinking about themselves as being a convicted felon and viewing yourself as a "former felon."

    I would just like to add that a big part of life is about making choices... A person can choose to keep looking back at the past and keep "dragging themselves over the coals", or beating themselves up mentally. Or, a person could choose to put their "best foot forward" and make positive and proactive choices in order to better themselves without thinking that what they did in the past might always be a barrier to what they might like to do.

    A person really can turn their "scars into stars" with the correct attitude! I'm not saying that krisparker has a bad attitude at all, but just wanted to point out the possible negative attitude that many get sucked up into adopting, who have done something wrong; paid their dues to society, and who should really just get on with their life.
    settergren's Avatar
    settergren Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Apr 5, 2010, 02:04 PM
    I would like to inform everyone, about the state of n.v. Not only do you have to put on an job application that you are a felon, and most of the time you will not get hired, but also you can't get into, gov. housing, or rent a house, due to running a crimanal background check. So when you say to stop thinking about your past,that you were an ex felon. Then everyone should stop keeping us there. And in case you have'nt been convicted of a felony, let me tell you from my experence. You never stop doing time, not until you die then its over.
    dovette's Avatar
    dovette Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #6

    Jun 30, 2010, 11:09 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Clough View Post
    Hi, krisparker!

    What you do is apply for grants or loans like anyone else. The possibility of obtaining a grant depends on the type of business it is that you are wanting to start. If it is one that will benefit the community in a great and far-reaching way, like something concerning education, or a business that will help those in need who can't particularly afford services or goods like a lot of people can, would be more likely to receive a grant. Obtaining loans are generally easier to get.

    A person who has a conviction on their record; has done their time in whatever way, can apply for grants or loans just like anyone else. I don't know of any special grants just because someone has been convicted of a felony.

    There are places in the U.S. however, that have organizations that do help people with criminal records to obtain jobs and maybe advise in terms of starting a business. Around where I live and also in the Chicago area, one such organization would be the Safer Foundation. Link is here: Home - Safer Foundation Perhaps there is such an organization around where you live?

    Two other great places to get advice for starting businesses are U.S. Small Business Administration-Your Small Business Resource and SCORE | Counselors to America's Small Business | SCORE

    What kind of business is it that you are wanting to start, please? Depending on what the business is, it might not cost you as much as you might think in order to start it. I have a number of small, service-oriented businesses that I run. If there's something that I need in order to do whatever business that I do, I can generally borrow what I need from someone that I know until I am able to purchase it myself. Those sort of things that I might need would be certain tools.

    Also, you can advertise your business on many, many sites on the Internet for free! You can also have any number of free websites! I'm thinking of getting rid of my ads in the Yellow Pages of the local phone book, because of the cost, and just relying on the business that I get from my ads placed on the Internet. I get much more business from my Internet advertising anyway.

    Again, what kind of business is it that you are wanting to start, please?

    Thanks!
    I want to start up a non-profit food bank for animals & pets
    dovette's Avatar
    dovette Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #7

    Jun 30, 2010, 11:11 AM

    I want to rent a building and start up a non-profit food bank for animals and pets
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
    Uber Member
     
    #8

    Jun 30, 2010, 11:27 AM
    Hi, dovette

    This thread is now very old and archived. It's no longer on the list of currently active threads. Plus, this site doesn't work the same way that a chat room does. New questions need to be asked by starting new threads.

    If you want your question to be noticed the most, it would be best if you started a new thread rather than placing it on the thread of someone else.

    Thanks!
    flyersfan's Avatar
    flyersfan Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #9

    Oct 24, 2010, 10:01 AM
    Comment on settergren's post
    Agreed, Sad but VERY true!
    deano2367's Avatar
    deano2367 Posts: 2, Reputation: 0
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    #10

    Dec 6, 2010, 08:58 AM
    Anyone who has EVER been convicted of a felony cannot qualify for a Small Business Loan through the Samall Business Administration. You will have to apply for a loan through a bank.
    pissedwife's Avatar
    pissedwife Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #11

    Dec 11, 2010, 10:29 AM
    It is totally wrong and unfair for society to continue trying well really they are not trying they are doing a fine job at keeping men and women down who are trying to better themselves and not be that person they are labeled as. How can a person truly change the past and overcome the mistakes that they have made and better society when they are not given opportunity's to show that they are able to change when everyone else refuses to allow them that chance!! Signed an angry wife of a good man who most would lable a criminal!!
    th3coolestkid's Avatar
    th3coolestkid Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #12

    Apr 18, 2011, 04:29 PM
    Comment on settergren's post
    What I don't understand is why we (rehabilitated felons) don't march our happy asses right into Washington dc and speak out against our countries laws and mistreatment of felons. It is not fair that we are not treated equal and respected as citizens of this country. If they want us to work, pay our taxes, and obey the law then they should give us equal rights. I understand that certain crimes are worse than others but I think that every felony should be erased after a certain amount of time.
    Faith always's Avatar
    Faith always Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #13

    Jun 3, 2012, 09:57 PM
    Can you get a grant to open up a church and home for the homeless
    Faith always's Avatar
    Faith always Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #14

    Jun 3, 2012, 09:59 PM
    Can a grant be for a church or a shelter if you are a convicted felon

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