Did you know there are grants that might be able to fund your passion project or business?  Special guest Ernise Cummings, is an expert in hunting for grants for creatives. This episode explains the unknown opportunities of funding your dreams in the creative field, guiding you through the complex maze of the grant application process. Ernise provides a detailed exploration of resources like grants.gov and discusses how local establishments, such as libraries and museums, can become funding sources. She delves into the significance of proposals involving local communities and the impact this can have on a successful grant application. A key focus in this episode is the vast number of resources like SCORE, a non-profit organization under the Small Business Association, that offers free mentorship to help secure funding. It further elaborates how the site can be used effectively and encourages budding entrepreneurs to connect with industry mentors. The importance of being yourself when applying for grants is also discussed while emphasizing the value of asking why your grant application was rejected and converting this into a learning experience. Hiring a grant writer and their advantages and disadvantages are also intricately covered in this episode. The episode concludes by discussing other funding alternatives to grants like pitch, state funding, endowments and even running your own fundraising campaign. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-belief, preparation, persistence, and resilience on the path to achieving entrepreneurial success. Ernise Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/secretmiraclesinc/ Free Grant Mentorship: https://www.score.org The Success Palette: https://www.thesuccesspalette.com Sponsored by Women Into Networking: https://www.wincommunity.org