There are
three stages:
1) A grant has to be available.
2) You have to be qualified to receive the grant.
3) You need to write a grant proposal.
Each is specialized.
Most grants are available for a limited time, either a certain number of days or on a first-come, first-given basis until the money is gone. Knowing when and where grants are available is an incredible hurdle. There are people who make a good living out of keeping track of what's open and selling that info to clients.
Most grants have very rigid qualifications and/or restrictions. Often you must be the right age, sex, race, income bracket, and live in the right area, which can vary from being a certain state to being in one of six city blocks. It's up to you to determine whether you qualify, and there are hefty penalties for applying for a grant not meant for you.
All grants that I know of require a formal grant proposal. This isn't an application you fill out, it's more like a combination resume/request/business plan/begging. Anyone who is good at writing them can make an excellent living, often demanding a percentage of the grant.
For $2, I wouldn't expect anything but a list of books, services, and other things they want you to
buy relating to the process.
