Are you thinking about applying for small business grants? The first thing you should do is to look at government grant website to get some ideas on how to do it. There are several government grant opportunities available to almost any type of business, though they are quite competitive, you’ll need an impressive enough story to win over the judges.
The best thing about small business grants is that they don’t typically come with repayment requirement. That means you don’t have to fork over all your cash as a down payment. All you need to have is a great story to tell. This is where applying online can really pay off. Here are some tips to help you get the funding you need for your business.
There are dozens of different types of government small business grants, but some of the most popular are: First Time Home Buyer Grants, Minority Grants, and Women-Owned Small Business Grants. There’s plenty more out there, so check out each grant site to see what’s available. Remember to search for grants that specifically target your demographic. For example, if you’re a single woman, don’t overlook the small business loans and grants that help women business owners.
Another option to consider for getting the funding you need for your small business grants is to ask your local veteran’s administration office for help. There is actually quite a bit of funding available from the VA for helping minority and women owned businesses. Here’s how it works: There are often a lot of empty, unused government buildings throughout the country. The VA holds auctions to clear these out and make them usable for various things, including free housing and small business grants.
There is an ongoing push within the federal government and in the private sector to help stimulate small business start-ups in low income areas. There’s also a push within some states to increase the amount of money they allocate to this type of funding. Since the number of veteran’s homes are increasing, this could be a real winner if you can get some funds to renovate or add on to a veteran owned business. There are several nonprofit groups that specifically focus on helping these vets obtain the financing they need for start-ups like this.
You may also check with your state and local government offices for small business grants for small business owners, as these areas have many community development funds in place. These programs often offer some very low-interest, money-losing loans to help business owners pay their start-up costs. Some of the money is meant to pay for advertising and other forms of marketing, while the remainder is meant to create job openings and promote a revitalized community. The amount you can expect to receive depends upon your location and your specific business plan.
For veterans, there are programs through the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration that provide money for small business development. This grant money allows these vets to purchase commercial property, open up new offices or add on to existing ones. Since these are state and federal grants, it may be hard to find funding through private sources. But there are ways to get private grant money for your development plans. There’s plenty of scholarship money provided by universities and colleges for various programs, including those aimed at improving the conditions of underserved communities.
When searching for small business grants, use your search tools to look specifically for the types of capital that you need. Don’t limit your search to grant programs that are offered by the federal government, as there are a number of private foundations that provide this type of funding. Start by looking at your community’s chamber of commerce and other business development organizations for possible funding sources. You can also tap into other community groups for information about funding possibilities in your area.
