Kimberly Said:

How do I write a small business grant and get perfect results?

We Answered:

You stand a greater chance of getting a government-guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/financing than a government grant. Read the SBA Financing page to learn about criteria needed for borrowing

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALO…

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

I suggest you read the following books to get ideas of how to finance your business:

Financing Your Small Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1…
Small Business Financing: How and Where To Get It http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0…
Financing the Small Business: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Bank Loans and All Other Types of Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1…
The SBA Loan Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1…
Angel Capital : How to Raise Early-Stage Private Equity Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0…
Financing Your Small Business (Barron's Business Library Series) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0…

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online http://gtionline.fdncenter.org . It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

Felicia Said:

Who has the less expensive small business proposal writing and grant writing for under $600?

We Answered:

Could you clarify one thing?

Your question on writing small business proposal appears in Indian Questions category and you are talking in terms of $. Correcting this mis-match would be in your own interest!!

Kyle Said:

PHASE II grant writing for SBIR, (Small Business Innovation Research Program), through the NIH. questions...?

We Answered:

Have you searched for the grant description in Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov ?

You can search at Grants.gov, do advanced searched through the agency (NIH). Or if you know the funding number, you can use that to search for the grant as well

Once you find the specific grant, you can download the application form and all you need is to fill it up.

Anne Said:

I need help finding someone who can find grants(small business) and write them. Pay after grant approved? HELP

We Answered:

It is hard to find grants to start a business -- even for minorities and women. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html…

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALO…

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

Bernard Said:

How do you write your own small business government grant without paying for it?

We Answered:

I hate to break it to you, but there are realtively few grants to start or expand a small business. In reality, you probably are not going to find any grants for your business. State and federal agencies, as well as non-profit foundations, do make grants, and some of that money may even go to businesses. However, the vast of majority of grant funding is to support projects which are expected to provide a benefit to the public. You may find some information on grants in the Financial Assistance section and you may possibly find additional grants here at grants.gov.

There is free advice in adbundance. Consider it a grant of time and expertise free or at low-cost to you. Several agencies provide their expertise. Check in to SCORE—Counselors to America’s Small Business at http://www.score.org or the Small Business Development Centers at http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/index.html.

In some cases you will find that your community has a revolving loan fund. These are low interest loans made to businesses that are creating jobs. You will need to be credit worthy and bring assets to use as collateral with you into this financing arrangement. Unfortunately, there is no central source that says which communities maitain these revolving loan funds. Check with your local planning office or state economic development entity.

In all cases people looking to open their businesses are expected to risk something of their own. If you aren't willing or able to do that then reconsider.

Michele Said:

Who does one go about applying for a small business grant to start a small business?

We Answered:

Small Business Administration ... Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and they can direct you ... Good Luck ... We Love Dogs!!!