grants for felons when they get out?

Question

when someone gets out of prison and has trouble getting a job and wants to start their own business where can they get a grant to help

Answer 1

No, there are no federal grants for convicted felons.

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.

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

There is a non-profit organization called Prison Entrepreneurship Program which is described as "a Houston-based nonprofit organization that leverages the skills of senior business executives to constructively redirect these talents and equip inmates and former inmates with entrepreneurial training—enabling them to productively re-enter society."

http://prisonentrepreneurship.org/

As for small business loans, felons typically find it hard to get one, even SBA. SBA adopts a "cautious" approach to lending to felons and oftentimes bases its decision on how serious the crime committed was and whether there is strong likelihood that the offense will be repeated again.

Answer 2

Generally, they can't. Grants for business normally fall within targeted service areas. A business plan would be required along with demonstrated experience in the area. The targeted service areas are normally things like certain social services to low income or rural areas, etc.

It's tough that a felon has a hard time getting a job, but screwing up so bad that you go to prison is only part of the repayment of the debt to society. The second part is that society's trust must be EARNED back. This means you may have to mow lawns, clean resteraunt kitchens, paint, or work other manual intensive jobs at very low wages till you can save enough to start your own business. Let's face it. If you can make it through that hurdle, you can make it past just about anything. But it is going to take a lot of very hard, and probably unpleasant, work.

Answer 3

sign up at your local college.most colleges will pay you to go.they give grants you don't have to pay back and if you complete your courses with passing grades,they will also give you a student loan to start your new business but,you have pay that one back.i know how long the coures are but,you'll be glad you did it in the long run.good luck!

Answer 4

ask your parole officer if on parole if not just try applying for grants.

Answer 5

Pell. Pell!