Did you know there’s over $2 trillion in free money out there, just waiting to be claimed? Whether you’re starting a business, looking to pay for job training, or simply need help with living expenses, government grants and nonprofit funding can make it happen. But most people don’t even know where to start. In this episode of The Agent of Wealth Podcast, host Marc Bautis is joined by Matthew Lesko — the expert on uncovering hidden funding opportunities — to help you unlock the secrets to free money. Get ready to take notes because this episode might just change your financial future.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The types of grants available to individuals and small businesses, and how to find them in your community.
- Why many people overlook available grants, and how to avoid common mistakes in the application process.
- How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline your grant search and find opportunities you may have missed.
- The growing trend of government-funded job training programs and how you can access funding even if you’re unemployed.
- And more!
Resources:
leskohelp.com | youtube.com/matthewlesko | www.findhelp.org | hud.gov/counseling | https://sba.gov/localassistance | Bautis Financial: 8 Hillside Ave, Suite LL1 Montclair, New Jersey 07042 (862) 205-5000 | Schedule an Introductory Call
Disclosure: The transcript below has been edited for clarity and content. It is not a direct transcription of the full episode, which can be listened to above.
Welcome back to The Agent of Wealth Podcast, this is your host Marc Bautis. Today, we have a truly one-of-a-kind guest! You might recognize him as the ‘Question Mark Guy,’ or from his unforgettable infomercials and TV appearances that showed millions of Americans how to unlock government grants and benefits. Matthew Lesko has spent over four decades uncovering ways for people to access funds they never knew were available, and he’s sold over four million books in the process.
Now, at 81, Matthew is still on a mission to help others through his platform, Lesko Help, where he’s guiding a community of thousands toward the resources they need. Let’s dive into the world of ‘Free Money’ with the one and only Matthew Lesko!
Matthew, welcome to the show.
Well, thank you Marc. It’s nice to be here.
I’m so excited to have you here today. You’re known as America’s #1 Grant Expert, as you’ve shown millions of Americans how to take their next big step in life using free, government grants. What inspired you to start helping people access government grants and benefits?
Honestly, it was greed. I was just trying to figure out how to make a living. I’ve always wanted to have my own business, and after the Vietnam War — where my generation faced the draft — I pursued that dream. I wasn’t the kind of guy who wanted to sleep in the jungle, so I joined the Navy instead. It was a good experience — three years, two months, and nine days, to be exact! After that, I got my MBA and started exploring business ideas.
Back in the ’70s, I earned an MBA in computers, which at the time were massive machines the size of rooms. I started a software company, but it failed. I joke that I must have been the only person in the world to fail in computers back then. But thank goodness for failure — it’s how you figure out where you’re supposed to be. If you’re not failing, you’re probably stuck in a job you hate or settling for mediocrity. Failure pushes you to grow.
After that, I worked as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies, focusing on external management information systems — basically analyzing how external factors like technology, legislation, and government programs impacted businesses. But nobody really understood what I was talking about at the time. I eventually found a niche doing research for mergers and acquisitions.
In Washington, D.C., which has some of the best libraries in the world, I would research topics like market trends and government programs. Companies would hire me to find opportunities. For example, I’d discover that the government had an expert at the Department of Commerce who specialized in pasta — someone who was essentially getting paid to study pasta! I’d gather their insights, package them into a report, slap my name on it, and sell it to companies like Procter & Gamble for thousands of dollars. It was a nice living.
But over time, I started thinking: Why don’t more people know about this stuff? It felt like untapped oil in the ground, available only to those who could afford consultants like me. That’s when I decided to shift my focus. I wanted to educate everyday people about these resources. Selling books seemed like the best way to start — $20 for a book was accessible compared to hiring a consultant. Over time, I sold millions of books, but I realized books alone weren’t enough. Today, through my platform Lesko Help, I provide direct, one-on-one assistance through a community-based approach.
Who is the ideal target for government grants? Is it just for business owners, or can anyone benefit?
Everyone can benefit. While I’ve helped millionaires access these programs, my mission is to reach the people who need them most. It’s frustrating to see millionaires benefit when so many struggling families don’t even know these resources exist. For example, many people think government programs are only for the extremely poor. That’s not true. Programs are available for middle-income families, too.
Take childcare grants — families earning up to $200,000 can qualify. Or housing assistance — families earning $150,000 can benefit. In states like New York, you can get free college tuition if your household income is under $125,000. These programs are designed for a wide range of people, but the key is knowing how to find them.
Most people start by searching on Google, but that’s the wrong approach. When you search for “rent grants,” you get flooded with ads and services trying to sell you something. The real programs — the ones offering free help — don’t advertise. Instead, I recommend using resources like www.findhelp.org, which connects you to organizations that genuinely offer assistance. It’s a game-changer.
How does someone even know they should be looking for grants?
Many people don’t know what’s out there, and that’s the problem. Society teaches us to rely on capitalism, but there’s another side of the economy — the “community society,” which includes government and nonprofit resources. This sector exists to help people without making a profit, but most people are never taught how to access it.
How does your Lesko Help community work, and what kind of support do members receive?
Here’s how it works: Members join for $20. From there, they tell me what they need, what they’re looking for. Let’s use an example… Say you need help with rent. What city are you in?
I’m in Montclair, New Jersey.
So for you, I’ll guide you to the website www.findhelp.org. From there, you’ll put in your zip code – 07042 – and input rent, including what you’re looking for. From the results, you’ll see anywhere from 50-80 programs in the Montclair zipcode that offer grant money for rent. Not all will apply, but you can still connect to people and organizations that understand your problem and they can provide guidance.
Do grants ever have to be paid back?
No. By its definition, grants do not need to be paid back.
Are grants difficult to apply for?
Not as difficult as people think! Many programs have simple applications, especially for individuals. And if the application is complicated, the organizations offering the grant often provide free help with the process.
What’s challenging is finding the right programs. That’s why I always advise people to research thoroughly before hiring a grant writer.
You mentioned Google. You also mentioned that website. Was it www.findhelp.org?
Correct.
Can AI, like a ChatGBT, also be used in the grant searching or grant applying process?
Yes, absolutely. I think AI is great for this. Grants come from government offices and nonprofit organizations, and platforms like www.findhelp.org are already set up specifically for this. Google, on the other hand, isn’t tailored for grant searches.
For example, I often use ChatGPT to search for grants. I might ask it to list 25 government offices and nonprofit organizations in Montclair, New Jersey, that help businesses start or expand. It provides a solid starting point by identifying smaller nonprofit organizations that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The downside of AI is that its information isn’t always current. Unlike Google, it doesn’t always have the latest updates. Plus, I worry that as AI becomes more mainstream, big money interests will figure out how to manipulate or degrade its utility.
What about the size of grants? Grants can vary a lot, but can you give listeners an idea of the typical amounts?
For the average person, receiving over $100,000 would be significant. However, for many of my clients, even a couple of thousand dollars can make a big difference.
For example, if you use www.findhelp.org to search for “financial assistance” in my zip code, you’ll find 250 organizations offering money to individuals who need help. These are all nonprofits, and the money doesn’t need to be paid back. That’s amazing to me.
People often worry that grant applications are complicated, but for individuals and small businesses, they usually aren’t. If they are, the organizations providing the grants often offer free help with the application process.
Many people mistakenly think they need to hire a grant writer before even knowing where to apply. I always tell them: “Finding where to apply is the hard part — the application itself is usually simple.” Hiring a grant writer before you know what you’re applying for is like buying a prom dress before you’ve been invited to the prom. Focus on getting the invitation first!
Since these are government programs, what changes with the grants when different administrations come into office?
The details of grant programs might change slightly, but the overall funding always grows. Some areas might receive more focus, while others might see slight cuts, depending on the priorities of the administration.
Well, that’s good to hear. Are there certain areas or industries where there are more grant opportunities right now?
Yes, job training is currently a huge focus. The Biden Administration has poured significant funding into this area. For example, with just a high school diploma, you could qualify for a $40,000 grant to complete job training for a career that pays $100,000 or more annually.
So, in that example, the $40,000 grant covers the job training?
Exactly. You receive $40,000 while completing the job training, and afterward, you can start earning a great salary.
Many grants like this are available as long as you’re unemployed. For instance, every county in the U.S. has a Career One-Stop Center. These centers offer grants of up to $8,000 for career training. Eligibility doesn’t depend on your savings — you could have a million dollars in the bank and still qualify as long as you’re unemployed.
I’ve even seen doctors use these grants to train in new procedures.
Do you have any tips for beginners navigating government resources?
Absolutely. Here are two great starting points:
- For individuals: Make an appointment with a HUD financial counselor at hud.gov/counseling. This is ideal for people struggling with budgets or living expenses.
- For businesses: Visit SBA.gov/localassistance. The Small Business Administration provides a database of free business mentors in cities across the country.
Of course, joining my Lesko Help community is another option. I created it as a way to support myself while educating people about grants, but there’s no pressure. I’d do this work for free if I could!
Thanks for sharing those resources, Matthew. Alright, that’s all of the questions I have for you today. Thank you for joining me today, you provided so much useful information on government grants – I’m sure our listeners have found your knowledge so useful. Before we go, how can the listeners access your platform, Lesko Help, or get in touch with you for more information?
Your listeners can visit leskohelp.com. I also have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/matthewlesko, where they’ll find thousands of free videos to help with their research. Thank you, Marc!
Great, we will include that information in the resources section of the show notes. Thanks again, Matthew. And thank you to everyone who tuned into today’s episode. Don’t forget to follow The Agent of Wealth on the platform you listen from and leave us a review of the show. We are currently accepting new clients, if you’d like to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with our advisors, please do so below.
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