Small business government grant money is readily available today. The Obama administration is seeking to give millions of dollars away in grant money. Here are some steps that will hopefully help you in receiving a grant for your small business.
1. The Right Business:
Choose a business you feel is right for you. Every great project begins with a dream, or an idea that grows and takes shape into something tangible. If you have a dream to begin your own small business and not enough funds to start it up you may consider joining the millions of others who are applying for small business government grant money.
2. Make a Plan:
Once you have chosen what type of business you wish to start, you will need to create a basic business plan and an accurate budget. Once you’ve established your start up needs, it’s time to go shopping for a grant! There are so many small business government grants available from the government that it can seem like a daunting task in finding the right grant to meet your business needs.
3. The Right Grant For Your New Business:
There are many different types of business grants that offer different benefits. You need to be careful in your selection process as you will want to find the best grant to meet your needs. Remember; each grant will have specific requirements that you will need to meet to become eligible for the grant.
4. Do You Qualify:
When applying for small business grants, you will have to meet the grants specific application guidelines. Criteria guidelines vary from grant to grant and organization to organization. Some of these criteria may factor in your industry, the age and size of your business, and even the location of your business. Your company’s sales revenue will surely be a factor.
5. Accurately Fill Out the Application:
Once you have made the decision to apply for a small business grant, it’s crucial that you fill out the application completely and accurately. An improperly written grant application will actually lead to your grant being rejected. At best it will cause delays in the grant process. And the government will definitely wait for you to supply the proper information. Be sure to double check your application before submitting it.
6. Purchase a Grant Writing Kit:
The vast majority of people who fail to receive a small business government grant failed to receive it not because they were not eligible, but because of improperly filing or writing of the grant. The average person just does not understand the grant application process. Spend the money on a quality grant writing kit!
7. Be Better Than Your Competition:
This is where a quality grant writing kit is invaluable. It will clearly define all the areas of the grant. It will walk you through every step to ensure your receiving your grant. Be well prepared and present a thorough and informative grant proposal that clearly defines your goals and the benefits that your project will have.
For more information on how to receive a small business government grant and a quality grant writing kit visit:
http://www.USGrants4You.com
By: Wendell and Charmayne Vannatter
Archive for October, 2009
Small Business Government Grant; Is It Right for You?
October 26th, 2009Finding Small Business Grants
October 22nd, 2009Poor financing is the number two reason small businesses fail, falling right behind poor management. Sufficient funding is paramount to the success of small businesses, and small business grants can be the answer to the problem. If business owners have the necessary knowledge about how to find and properly request grants, they have a better shot at creating a successful business that will be open longer and prosper.
There are over 300 different grants and loans available for small businesses that are just starting out. The grants range from $25,000 up to $1,000,000 depending on the size and projected success rate of the business. There are also grants available to help small businesses grow or expand. Grants are not the same as loans because they do not have to be repaid. A grant is considered free money, as well as an investment to promote the success of small businesses and the U.S. economy. Money for grants comes from income taxes. Obtaining a small business grant does not require credit checks or deposits, even if the owners have experienced bankruptcy in the past.
There are a number of helpful websites that send small businesses government grant packages for free, excluding the cost of shipping. These packages include information on how to find grants, how to prepare a grant request, and how to apply for grants pertaining to a specific business. Some of the providers are Government Funding Solutions, Grant Master, and Grant Wizard.
It is important to be familiar with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) rules for receiving grants before beginning the process of obtaining one. Although the SBA does not provide grants to small businesses, they do provide helpful suggestions and resources on how to find grants.
In order to qualify for a small business grant, individuals must first become familiar with the 13 CFR 143 document that lists all of the requirements to be eligible for a grant. This document includes information on the pre-award and post-award periods and defines all aspects of applying for a grant and states who is eligible. The CFR is the primary source of rules and regulations for small business grants and must be read before starting the grant writing process.
After reviewing the requirements, prospective business owners must write a grant request. There are professionals who will write a grant proposal or the individuals may complete it themselves. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a helpful site that links individuals to resources about federal grants for small businesses. Afterschool.gov gives helpful tips on how to write a small business grant and, although it is geared toward grants for after school programs, includes helpful information for grant writing in general.
Additionally, there are many well-established government and private organizations that provide grants to small businesses. The Department of Justice’s Ten Grant document gives access to grant opportunities for those conducting research in support of law enforcement. The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has several grant opportunities for small business owners. They offer about $125 million to businesses that are based in a community setting with special attention to training programs. The Department of Transportation is another organization that offers small business grants. They offer grants to any business willing to help resolve the growing problems with the federal-aid highway program. The Department of Education has a program called e-GRANTS that locates electronic grants online. They have a detailed list of grants available and the necessary applications to fill out. There are a variety of grants available for different groups, all of which have detailed descriptions and contact information. Other organizations that provide small business grants include the EPA, the National Cancer Institute, NOAA, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
By: Greg Heslin
