| The idea that there are millions of dollars in grant | | | | society more stable and happy. So governments |
| funds - free money -- waiting for the small | | | | have created special funds, programs, associations |
| business owner to tap into them is true and at | | | | to provide government grants for small business. |
| the same time, not true. | | | | You can be surprised to find out that there are |
| In most cases, grant funds are not designed to | | | | so many types of grants that you can be missing |
| start a new business. There are some specialized | | | | and that can help you out almost instantly - |
| businesses that may qualify for start-up money, | | | | minority small business grants, small business |
| but 99.9% of the businesses in the Yellow Pages | | | | grants for woman, federal grants for small |
| would be ineligible to receive start-up funding. | | | | business, business start up grants and even free |
| Yet there are millions of dollars available to help | | | | small business grants. All these types of grants |
| fund existing small businesses and employment | | | | act as a real proof that they really help many |
| programs, particularly in the non-profit arena. The | | | | small businesses to succeed. |
| trick is to be able to research grants and find | | | | There are two typical issues about getting small |
| those that are most aligned with your company's | | | | business grants. |
| mission and/or project. | | | | (1) WHERE to Get Small Business Grants. |
| Grants fall into two categories: government and | | | | Start with doing local search for 'small business |
| corporate. They all come with strings attached | | | | grants', 'small business bank loans', 'venture funds' |
| and very specific requirements for those who will | | | | and 'angel investors'. This will give you a pretty big |
| be awarded the funds. Funders look for | | | | list of places to apply for help. |
| businesses and organizations that already exist, | | | | If you are in the USA - there are some majors |
| that will use the money for a worthwhile project, | | | | that provide this type of financial assistance - for |
| i.e. jobs in inner cities, providing training to | | | | example, Small Business Administration (SBA) that |
| specialized groups, etc., and that will develop a | | | | has many departments that fit all possible types |
| self-sustaining program. | | | | of businesses or help. It can also be wise to |
| For small businesses that are looking for funding | | | | check the catalogue of Federal Domestic |
| for expansion or for equipment purchases, it | | | | Assistance - there you can find many good places |
| takes a creative mind to find a grant that could | | | | to apply for the grants. |
| apply to your specific needs while filling the | | | | For businesses outside US there is also a way to |
| requirements of the grant funders. That is where | | | | succeed. Government, public or private |
| the services of a professional grant writer are | | | | organizations in your country must be giving some |
| invaluable. | | | | help to new small businesses within the |
| For example, a company may want grant money | | | | framework of these institutions: |
| to fund an expansion of their sales force and | | | | - economic development programs, funds, |
| they need to add more space as well as hire | | | | departments, opportunities, initiatives; - banks |
| more people. Well, a for-profit company may not | | | | (usually they have special small business loans and |
| be eligible for any grant money. However, the | | | | programs); - venture funds, companies, firms; - |
| company could form a non-profit agency that | | | | credit partnerships; - angel investors (this type of |
| trains veterans or welfare moms in sales skills, | | | | business got very popular recently). |
| leases or buys space to accommodate the | | | | The list is big, but it means that you do not need |
| workers and gives the new trainees a place to | | | | to trust one business grant opportunity. The more |
| work by leasing them to the for-profit company. | | | | opportunities, the better for you! |
| Writing a grant proposal is a very specialized skill, | | | | (2) HOW to Get Small Business Grants. |
| but it can be learned. Grant writing in and of itself | | | | There is no magic formula to safe getting of |
| is a very lucrative profession. The IRS has | | | | grants. |
| established a pay range for grant writers of $50 - | | | | But you can increase your chances using these |
| $150 per hour. A comprehensive training course is | | | | simple tips. |
| available at Students actually work on a real grant | | | | Build a good business plan. Surely you are starting |
| proposal while taking the course. Their work is | | | | your business with some plan, but here you need |
| critiqued by a certified professional grant writer | | | | to be very convincing, well-prepared to any |
| For those who don't want to do it themselves or | | | | questions. People who read this plan must |
| who don't have the time to do it themselves, | | | | understand and feel that the only element |
| they can hire a professional grant writer to | | | | necessary for your success is the money, the |
| research and write the grant proposal. An | | | | grant. |
| organization will generally pay between $1,000 - | | | | Keep in good contact with your grant agent |
| $3,000 for a complete grant proposal and even | | | | (manager, officer, anyone who is in charge of all |
| higher for large proposal amounts. There are also | | | | details). Don't be a pusher, but make sure that |
| grant review services that help grant seekers | | | | you are in control of the situation. A lot will |
| tweak their proposals for the best possible | | | | depend upon this person, maybe not the final |
| chance of funding. | | | | decision, but a lot. Make sure he/she can reach |
| Grants for small business funding are out there. | | | | you at any moment. And would be great if you |
| The trick is to know how to present your needs | | | | have his/her contact details, the more, the better. |
| in a way that best aligns with the grant funder's | | | | Try to find someone who already got a grant |
| mission. It isn't easy, but it is definitely attainable | | | | from the institution or organization you apply to. If |
| and very much worth the effort. | | | | it is possible, find out all details before applying |
| Guide to Getting Small Business Grants | | | | there: what problems this person had, what |
| Do You Know that Small Business Grants Can be | | | | questions asked, what impressed the grant givers, |
| Waiting for You Almost 'Round the Corner'? | | | | etc. |
| We are living in the times when governments | | | | And the last advice, if in one place it did not work, |
| understand the value of small businesses for the | | | | don't give up. You can either appeal or try |
| global economy. Small businesses are the pushers | | | | another place. |
| and testing grounds for new trends, they provide | | | | Only those who knock at the door can see it |
| lots of jobs for the masses, they make any | | | | open. |