Community information

Learn how community programs work, and how to avoid grant scams

East Valley Trust does not sell grants, does not promise free money, and will never ask you to pay a fee, buy gift cards, or send a wire to “release” funds.

Real assistance programs publish written rules, name the organization that funds them, and never guarantee approval.

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Grants, loans, and scholarships are different

Grants

A grant is money from a government agency, school, or nonprofit for a stated purpose. Approval is never guaranteed, and the funder—not a stranger in a text message—sets the rules.

Loans

A loan is borrowed money that you repay, usually with interest. A loan is not a grant, even if an ad calls it “assistance.”

Scholarships

Scholarships come from schools and education organizations. They are awarded under published criteria, not through unsolicited messages.

Protect yourself from grant scams

Ignore messages that say you have been selected for a grant you never applied for.
Do not pay an upfront fee, buy gift cards, or send cryptocurrency to receive a grant.
Do not share your password, one-time code, Social Security number, or full account number with anyone who contacts you first.
Check the sender yourself. Use the phone number published on this website, not a number from a text or email.
Government grant information in the United States is published at grants.gov and by the agency that funds the program.

Frequently asked questions

No. We do not advertise guaranteed grants, and we do not collect a fee to release grant money.

Treat that as a scam. Do not send money or codes. Contact us using the phone or secure message options on this website.

Start with the official agency or school that would fund the program, and read the written eligibility rules before you share any documents.

Questions about a message you received?

If something asks you to pay or share a code, stop and contact support through this site.

Contact support