Keeping the funds coming in for your organisation is a hard task at the best of times, especially with so many charities all vying for the same dollars. This is one of the reasons government grants for NFPs is so appealing.

Although considerable time and effort are required to apply for these grants, the guaranteed funds that can land in your hands helps greatly with planning, campaigns, and other activities you’re working towards.

Unfortunately, the rise in need for funds has been matched by a rise in unscrupulous operators taking advantage of legitimate charities. Even though this release by the ACCC, warning against websites offering access to government grants was released in 2011, the threat not only remains, it has increased significantly.

There are, sadly, people out there more than willing to take advantage of the good hearts and minds of those trying to make the world a better place. More often than not, this involves the scamming of much needed funds from the hands of charitable organisations, with promises to quick and easy access to government grants.

Carefully crafted, these websites look extremely professional, giving a strong impression of being legitimate, and many have words, imagery, and testimonials that present as though they are aligned with government organisations or departments.

It is easy, particularly if you’re under pressure, to view these grant organisations as legitimate, and to trust they will deliver what they promise. Your safest bet is to always check out any organisation thoroughly before you engage them.

Often a quick Google search of the company or grant organisation name will reveal some interesting and informative information for you. You can also find official information about grants at www.grantslink.gov.au  and www.business.gov.au. This information is free, which also helps you to determine the authenticity of an grants organisation; if they’re charging you a fee for this information, they’re not legitimate.

Other tips form the article by the ACCC to help you assess how genuine an organisation is include:

- The government doesn’t cold call you to tell you about grants

- The government doesn’t accept payment via wire transfer

- All Australian Government websites use the ‘.gov.au’ extension

- All decisions about grants are based on merit – you can’t pay for special access

- Where you may wish to use the services of a third party to assist in preparing grant applications, choose a reputable service by doing your homework first; and

- If you have signed up to a questionable service and have paid by credit card discuss your recovery options with your provider.

Trust your gut, and if something doesn’t feel right, do some research, or simply back away.

The time and effort to research the legitimacy of a grant organisation may not be something you feel you have the resources for, but in the long run, it will be one of the best actions you’ve taken for your organisation.