Cheap Therapy Pay it Forward Grant Now Available
Cash Grant to Finance Small Business in 2009
Mar 11, 2009
Despite the fact that a significant number of businesses have rolled back their grantmaking activities, a choice few---including Lisa Richey's Cheap Therapy---have decided to keep on giving.
History of Cheap Therapy
Lisa Richey left her long-time position as a bank trust officer back in 2000 after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). That very same year, she began making "handcrafted paper art" products---things like journals and greeting cards---to give to the charities that she'd previously blessed with cash donations.
Much to Richey's surprise, her philanthropic enterprise led to two interesting results:
1) people began contacting her to purchase what she'd so graciously been giving away
2) the creative process proved helpful in dealing with the stresses of MS, effectively saving her "thousands in therapy."
Nine years, 12 employees, and 10 grants later, Richey has proven that the only "cheap" thing associated with her business is the name. According to the Cheap Therapy website, 90 per cent of all profits are gifted to Richey's favorite charities.
Understanding the Pay it Forward Grant Concept
A philanthropist to the core, Richey has created a unique grantmaking system that is designed to ensure that every one of her gifts keeps on giving. She does so by attaching "two thin strings" to each award. Specifically, every grant winner must:
1) agree to pay the grant forward to someone else in need
2) notify Richey when they do.
Cheap Therapy Pay it Forward Grant Application Criteria
Anyone with a dream to fulfill is free to apply for Cheap Therapy's grant (small business owners, that means you). There is one application requirement though: all submittals must be sent via traditional mail. According to Richey, hard copy is a must because she's a "tactile chick" and prefers to have materials that she can "touch."
Cheap Therapy Pay it Forward Grant Application Question
In order to be considered for the grant, applicants must respond to one simple question: "What's your story?" There are no word count restrictions, so respondents can be as brief---or as lengthy---as they wish.
Cheap Therapy Pay it Forward Grant Application Dates
The next "Pay it Forward" cash grant will be awarded on July 1, 2009. All applications are due by June 15, 2009. To compete for the grant, be sure to visit the Cheap Therapy website today.
Additional Grant Resources for Small BusinessFor more information on some of the other business mavericks that are granting cash to entrepreneurs during the recession, be sure to read Intuit Business Grants Provide Economic Stimulus and NASE Small Business Grants Available in 2009.
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