Delta Innovations approached me 11 months ago through the cold call advertising method. Since I have a woman owned, non-profit for handicapped children, they painted a beautiful picture of easy success in getting grant funding. The initial rep said he had a special needs child... He made me believe he really understood how desperately we need funding to keep our business open to deserving families. I made it clear that we operate on a shoe string. Delta agreed upon the $2,000 upfront and $2,000 once we received a grant. I sent them proposals we had already drafted for ourselves, told them how much money my board would allow me to spend, and tried to make it clear what we needed for our program. I was shocked at how little they asked about our business and how infrequent they were in touch.in month 5, I got a call about a potential $250K grant, but we were lacking a business plan. They offered to write the business plan for $7,200. I reminded them that that was beyond my powers. Today I got a call with a potential $150K 'carrot'. The caller said he was with Capital Business Services, working on behalf of Delta Innovations. This one wants to charge $5,800 for a Supplemental Documentation: a 400 page document required by the donor.
I talked with 2 local grant writing services in town to find out what 'Supplemental Documentation' might consist of. They were guessing it might be a 'Strategic Plan' but not sure. Something offered free from the Economic Development Departments in most communities. One of them went to http://usashameboard.com and found many complaints about Delta. Many people in the same situation as I am describing. Always offering services beyond the initial agreement... Always with an attractive carrot hanging out there... Always additional money required to finalize a grant.
I found I could have a local writer do this paperwork for much less. So I left a message for Capital Business Services to call me back. While I was waiting, I googled the business name and went onto their web site to see all of what they do and don't do. When I told the rep I had searched and found his web site, his voice cracked. You know the nervous trill like he had just been goosed!
Delta's promise was to get us funding by Dec 31. Just 28 days to go. But of course that would take a miracle at this point. I'm sure they will blame ME for not putting up extra $ for additional mystery documents. These next few weeks should be interesting. How many more calls should I expect... Down to the wire.
Honestly, I will be glad when this 12 month 'contract period' is over. I already know they are not trying to help our small non profit business. It is really hard dealing with dashed hopes and false promises. I'm glad I stuck to my guns and not put good money after bad. These guys do this for a living?
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