Better Business Bureau

At least one small local church received an unsolicited telephone call from a representative of Corporate Capital Team, Inc. (CCT), headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, offering to research grant money sources and write a grant proposal for them. Their need, for parking lot paving at an estimated cost of $100,000, resulted in what CCT reported back as 10 hits in its eligibility search, with five of those awarding grants for purposes such as theirs: handicapped parking and safety needs.

CCT sent them a contract that required $2,400 in advance and an additional $3,600 "when a grant is awarded . . ." Though impressed by their friendliness and no-pressure offer, this church checked with the Better Business Bureau and decided not to sign.

Why would we caution you about a company that wants to find free money for you in difficult times, that has a B- rating with the Nevada Better Business Bureau (based primarily on its relatively brief existence in that state), and that has no complaints on file with the Bureau?

There are several reasons:

Although the company, it says, has been in business since 1997 and moved from Nebraska to Nevada a year or so ago, we find no information about its previous existence in Nebraska.

And despite the fact that the company makes no promise of acceptance and funding, we have no assurance that anyone has ever received either. Clients' testimonials on the company's website all respond to the same three questions, one of which asks if they were happy with the amount they were "eligible for," not if they were happy with the amount they had received. (All were well satisfied.) Even though the Better Business Bureau does not accept testimonials as evidence of a satisfactory transaction, we wonder why the company wouldn't be broadcasting testimonials claiming satisfaction with the grant received, if, indeed, any grants have been received.

We discount the company's statements, such as that they're located in a "very prestigious part of Henderson," a "five-minute limo ride to the airport," and that their Nevada location allows them to interact with large investors and grantors and is "one of the reason [sic] we have a very broad range of sources for funding projects," all of which have nothing to do with their services but serve only as glossy packaging to impress the reader with their success.

We believe that a legitimate business would require submission of financial statements along with their application. That CTT's contract doesn't mention this at all sends up one of the biggest red flags. Without these statements, how could they determine whether an applicant is eligible?

Even telemarketing their services raises questions. If free money is available, wouldn't it seem more likely that businesses and organizations who want money would be seeking them out?

Despite our concerns about this company, no one has complained to us. Why might that be?

It could be that the company makes it clear that getting a grant is not guaranteed. You're not likely to complain when you're aware of that risk at the outset.

It could also be that they make it clear that you could be in for a wait of six months or more. Then, if you call to find out what's happening, it's easy for them to string you along because it's the grant source that's causing the delay. And if, eventually, you really get irritated with the wait, they can always tell you the foundation folded for some reason.

Our concerns may be unfounded, yet they arise because of our experience with similar offers in a variety of types of businesses. If we are on target, though, churches and others who most need grant money may end up without it, without the money they paid to try to get it, and likely without a prayer of getting their money back. Use caution.

About BBB of the Southland, Inc.

The Better Business Bureau of the Southland, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California. The organization was formed in 1951 to promote truth in advertising and business self-regulation. The Bureau assists the public in resolving complaints against businesses and it uses that complaint experience to rate the reliability of businesses. In addition, the Bureau operates an alternate dispute resolution program which administers arbitration proceedings at no cost to consumers. BBB of the Southland also hosts the TrustLink Community, which provides a review forum for consumers and online storefronts for businesses. Please visit www.la.bbb.org for more information about the BBB of the Southland.