Grant Contest Aimed At Moms

If you’re a creative mother – or if you know one – here’s a nice cash grab.  Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention competition will be giving out a total of $44,000 in grants, plus a nice number of home appliances.

Although the contest‘s name might imply otherwise, entrants needn’t have Rube Goldberg-type machines lined up.  Instead, rules state, "We welcome all new product innovation, invention, service or business ideas except those about appliances or appliance components."

Both "green" and traditional categories are available, and the grand prize winner will walk away with a $20,000 grant, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer pair, and $3,000 for a new home office.  Four other individuals will win grants of at least $5,000 along with other goodies.

Just get online submissions in by the end of July 31st, and mailed entries sent on the same day at the latest.  If all goes well, you (or your creative acquaintance) will then be notified of your win in September.

Good contests for small business owners are rare, ones for women are even less common, and ones for moms have to be extremely scarce.  Take advantage while you can.