The Grant People
False Claims, No Grants, deplorable Customer Service who blatantly lie in my face, without allowing me to speak when I ask pointed questions

I signed up for this company to help me acquire grants for my client in September. At that time, the person I spoke with (Bob Bernardino) was quite clear that the 1 year budget ($125,000) for my client given the fact the business was a 501c3, owned by a minority female, would easily be fully funded before Xmas. We had discussed the process, and I was told the first round of L.O.I. (Letters of Intent) would be mailed out following research within 45 days from signing up.

I had to front $2500 of the $5000 contract, with the remainder to be paid following the first $100000 grant funding. I received copies of the LOIs (7) after they were sent in late October. I was told another "research and additional LOIs" would be completed in another 45 days.

In early December I began to inquire as to the status of the first LOIs, and when I would receive the second round. After playing telephone tag, and being told copies are on their way to me, I received a second round (6 LOIs) dated 1/2/07, but with no status yet on the first set. Therefore, the initial promise of complete funding by Xmas was not even remotely accurate.

However, when reviewing the LOIs, I noticed the second received letters were identical in wording to the first group, but with a different name signing them as the "The Grant Specialist" (Valerie Huffler first, then Cynthia Vespa the second time).

After speaking with numerous employees who gave me the runaround, AND NUMEROUS STATEMENTS WHICH CONTRADICTED THOSE FROM OTHER EMPLOYEES, I was finally told The Grant People had received adverse responses from two of the Oct. 2006 LOIs, and nothing else. Being one to keep detailed notes, and never to relinquish trust where trust didn't seem to be warranted. I kept on them for the next round of LOIs. The third round did not appear until April (13).

However, this group was identical to those I received on October and January, just rewritten this time, and sent for larger dollar amounts. Therefore, 13 Foundations had received LOIs for my 501c3 twice. This through up more flags. Atleast these letters were different.

The following month, I spoke at great lengths to a Brian Lee, who had sent me a letter stating the next research was complete, and more LOIs were about to be sent. His new list consisted of six foundations, all of whom had been sent LOIs in January and in April already. I spoke with the supervisor (Jamie) who had promised to get back to me within the week, (he went on vacation with no reply).

Brian Lee had told me there is no way there could ever be any duplication, sent me a copy of those letters they had sent, which were the October listing, and his new one, thus telling me that the copies of letters I received in January and April were never done. And, when I asked him why this was (numerous times during the conversation), he would speak over me, yelling, and refusing to listen, asking me if he sent more letters out would it satisfy me.

I am glad to see there are employees writing here what I had long suspected: The Grant People is churning, and not providing any true service.

I have kept copius details of my phone conversations with them, far too extensive to list here. However, it is safe to say, I believe legal action is now required.

Company: The Grant People
Country: USA
State: Nevada
City: Las Vegas
Address: 4550 W. Oakley Blvd., Suite 111
Phone: 8664726885

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