|
Mortgage Refinancing Help: Corporate Grantmakers
“If you are able to get a lower rate that what you currently have, you can save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Also, most lenders don't charge as many fees to refinance a mortgage and depending on how much equity you have in your home you may be able to roll the closing costs into your new loan, still have a lower balance than your original loan, a lower rate, and a lower payment.
”
|
| |
Mortgage Refinancing Help
: Society: Philanthropy: Grants: Grant-Making Foundations
: Corporate Grantmakers (25)
 Ask the lender or broker for a comparison of the up-front costs, principal, rate, and payments with and without this rate trade-off.
 Avon Foundation »
Established in 1955 to fund programs for economic opportunity and physical emotional well-being of women. Details about breast cancer funding, economic and diversity programs, and children's charity work offered.
|
 Bayer Foundation »
Grantmaking in three areas: "civic and community programs; science education and workforce development; and the arts, arts education and culture."
|
 GE Foundation »
Areas of funding interest include education, arts and culture, and public policy.
|
 Progress Energy Foundation »
Partners with education, economic development, and environmental organizations in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Annual report available.
|
 The Fieldstone Foundation »
Funds programs which deal specifically with projects for children and families, including drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, community violence, and school retention.
|
 Gannett Foundation »
Funds projects in a variety of areas in communities in which Gannett "has a local daily newspaper, broadcast station or cable TV operation."
|
 DuPont Philanthropy »
Dedicated to funding programs in community service, the environment, and education.
|
 The Adolph Coors Foundation »
The Adolph Coors Foundation contains the annual report along with guidelines and procedures to apply for grants.
|
 Farmers Insurance - Grants »
Grants
- Site features application guidelines and information on supported programs.
|
 The Dell Foundation »
US. Funds community and children's programs in Texas, Tennessee, Idaho, and Oregon. Gives application guidelines and dates.
|
 Monsanto Fund »
Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company. Supports varied organizations around the globe with the goal to improve people's lives by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources.
|
 ExxonMobil »
Provides an overview of the corporation's support in the arts, education, development, and other areas, through the ExxonMobil Foundation, direct grantmaking, and other vehicles.
|
 Entertainment Industry Foundation »
Funds programs in a variety of areas, including education and children's services, the arts, community service, the environment, AIDS, and literacy.
|
 Baxter International Foundation »
Interests include children, health education, and health care.
|
 Ben & Jerry's Foundation »
Funding interests are focused on "grass roots organizing" in communities. Guidelines, recipient list, and application form.
|
 Conservation Alliance »
Group of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots citizen-action groups and their efforts to protect wild and natural areas where outdoor enthusiasts recreate.
|
 AT&T Foundation »
Grantmaking areas include education, arts and culture, and civic and community service.
|
 Verizon Foundation »
Supports all qualified nonprofit organizations with a valid tax-exempt ID, 501(C)3 with a goal of assisting communities in the United States.
|
 Sara Lee Foundation »
Funds primarily cultural organizations and groups supporting disadvantage people, focused on Chicago. Provides grant guidelines, financial reports, and links to resources for nonprofits.
|
 Bechtel Foundation »
Primary areas of interest feature youth and educational programs, particularly math and science education, and to selected colleges and universities, specifically engineering and business programs.
|
 The Aetna Foundation »
Funding interest areas include health, education, and the arts. Site provides grantmaking guidelines.
|
 Adobe Community Relations Council »
Site provides information on Adobe software product donations.
|
 The John Deere Foundation »
Contributes to human services, community development, educational enterprises, and cultural opportunities.
|
 The Kaitlin Marie Bell Foundation »
A non-profit, tax-exempt organization which supports the needs of medically and/or physically challenged children, providing financial assistance for recipients who are unable to afford equipment and/or services.
|
 Deloitte and Touche Foundation »
Funds teaching and research in accounting, business, and related fields within the U.S.
|
|
|
 Before you refinance a loan, make sure that you carefully analyze any fees that your lender is including on the loan. The Department of Housing and Urban Development can provide you with a list of standard fees. Use it to make sure that your lender isn't tacking on anything extravagant. And by all means, compare their fees with other lenders in the market.
Be Inquisitive. It's your responsibility to make sure that you understand the terms of your loan. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Don't sign your loan documents until you are satisfied with the information and confident that you have made the right decision.
The majority of your mortgage payment goes toward paying interest. To save an astounding amount of money over the long term, choose a mortgage loan with a lower rate and a shorter payback term. A 15-year mortgage may be just what the financial planner ordered. This type of loan carries a larger monthly payment; but if your budget can withstand the jolt, you can save big bucks over the long haul.
Be Realistic. Lenders have tightened up loan requirements, so you'll need a good credit score and at least some equity in your home to refinance. To figure out how much equity you have, subtract the total amount that you owe on all of your existing mortgages from how much you think your home is worth. If your credit is severely impaired or you owe more than the value of your home, you probably won't be able to refinance right now.
|
|