Complaint / Review
The Grant People - Bob Bernadino - Spencer Hamilton
Misrepresentation and criminal activity related to grant writing services

My FTC filing number in this matter is 12714579. To research my complaint call 1-877-382-4357. If enough of you call, the FTC can help us.

My company retained the Grant People, Inc. On December 3 to write grants for my Women's Owned Business. My first alert came when they provided a very sloppy grant search that not only misrepresented what my company did, included search results of foundations only releasing funds to residents of California or funds to public benefit entities. I am located in Oregon.

I went through a series of efforts to contact the company so that no letter be written that misrepresented my company.

A phone call was scheduled with the Director of Corporate Funding to clear up misunderstandings, and I submitted my business plan prior to that call.

I was contacted by Spencer Hamilton and instead of discussing the plan and clearing up misunderstandings, he informed me he had a grant available now for $350,000 that required a complex report from my company within 10 days. Since this was impossible for my company to perform, he indicated a company they outsource to, called National Professional Filings, could produce this report for $14,500.in addition a 501 c 3 corp. Would have to be filed on my behalf and that I could use one they currently had Community Impact Group, Inc. This 501 c 3 could be added onto and mine would be called Dianne's Community Impact Group, Inc.

I told him I would have someone in my community provide those documents and terminated the call.

I called back later demanding the return of my retainer.

I have submitted a faxed demand for the return of my retainer.

I have also contacted the Federal Trade Commission requesting additiional information on who to contact if a class action suite was filed. They indicated that a letter would be sent from their office in the event a class action suit was filed.

If you feel you have been wronged please contact the FTC. I believe you can enter your complaint onto mine or request that the number I have provided be connected to yours.