About a year ago, a representative from Small Business Funding, Company called my nonprofit organization to sell grant writing services. As many others have written in reports on this web-site, the promises were very convincing and seemed credible. I have worked as a grant writer in the past, and asking for a "retainer" isn't out of the ordinary.
For the first few months, there were frequent phone calls, minimal pressure, and what appeared to be genuine interest in helping my nonprofit organization. I made it very clear that the "retainer" would be challenging to the budget of our small nonprofit. They used that as an opportunity to even more convincingly say that we were one of the most grantworthy organizations they had come across in a long time. They said that it was critical that we get in our money during that funding cycle because we were absolutely perfect for some of their funders. Truth be told, we are very grantworthy, and there is no reason at all that they shouldn't have been able to get us at least $10,000.
According to their representatives, once the money was received, we would receive a report of the matches they located. After several calls and a significant time delay, we received what was supposed to be our first of several such reports. I was to sign it and return it so they could begin writing the grant proposals. I signed and returned the report. Since then, and even after repeated phone calls, there has been no communication from them. I got through to one person who said that there had been a high turnover and they were reorganizing their staff. At that point I asked for a refund. I was told that their agreement specified no refunds, but that they would roll over the contract for a second year. Now when I call, the phone simply rings, there isn't even a voicemail.
Since I suspected that there were fraudulant practices going on, I had my research assistant do a little follow-up. Several of the supposed grantors listed on the "first" report are no longer active. Almost every single name listed can be located on the web. Many of the companies listed have no relation with the company.
I understand that these things happen, but how can this company continue to get away with this after ripping off so many good people.in my case, they are ripping off a nonprofit organization. This in itself is an offense to knowingly take advantage of a 501 (c) (3) organization. It is stealing from the public. Shame on them.
I hope there is interest in initiating a class action suit against this company. I will certainly be on board. The money from the retainer would pay half a months rent for this organization, and that would mean that we could help more children and families in need.
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