Can anyone help my sister and I?

Question

My sister and I want to open a bussiness for teenagers. We want it to be a safe drug and alcohol free place for teens to hang out. The only problem is that we need some kind of grants to help us start up the bussiness. Neither one of us has much money but we care alot about what happens to these kids. Any ideas. Please only serious replies. We really want to do this. Thanks alot.

Sorry I forgot to tell you we are from Ohio about 2 hours from Cleveland.

By the way thanks for the well wishes and all the quick responses.

I would be all for a non- profit organization. But how do I say this would I be able to make a living for my family and still do this. This is something we really want but we also can not put our own families finances at risk. I an't punish them from something we want to do.

Hey guys don't give up on me yet. Is there a way to do this with out losing everything we have because I won't have a full time job. Are we able to be paid something for doing this? Or is it all non pay.

Answer 1

You stand a higher chance of getting a grant if you are a non-profit business. There are hardly any grants available to for-profit businesses, even those owned by women and minorities. If you are going to start a for-profit business, I suggest you look into various low-cost loan guarantee programs offered by the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/financing

If you are going to start a non-profit, I suggest you check out the Minnesota Council of NonProfits because the site gives information on governance, developing strategic alliances, fund raising and other ingredients of successfully running a non profit.

http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/znpbib.htm

As for funding your non profit, I suggest you check out Foundation Center to help you gain ideas on how to properly establish your organization and get support from private foundations. They have the most extensive database of private donors, and they publish a magazine that can be very helpful to your new non profit.

http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/establish/index.html

I was previously involved in the setup of a non profit, and we were able to get a pro-bono lawyer who set up everything for us, including getting the 501c3 tax status. Contact other non profits in your area and check if there are lawyers willing to work for free to get you started.

If you want to try federal sources, 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.

CFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Answer 2

There are special loans for people opening up small businesses for the first time. There are very few grants out there that are available. Here's a website that I hope will get you started in the right direction. Good for you for trying to give teens a place they can call their own.

Answer 3

Try the SBA. They give grants and/or loans. Something else you need to do is put together a business plan. Without a business plan you will not be able to gain any kind of assistance.

Once you have your plan, you could go to some one you know with money and present them with your plan. They may give it to you to be paid back w/o interest or with little or maybe even a percentage of the business.

Answer 4

You guys need to make up a business plan, get a name and get it incorporated and make it a non-for profit organization. Then people will give you the money to help you get things started. And if you are of legal age get a job and save up! Maybe even apply for bank loans.

Answer 5

Have you contacted your local council, try to speak to someone from the youth service there and they should be able to offer you advice on what you need to do to get a grant. Good Luck its sounds like a good idea, maybe this will turn into something nationwide!!

Answer 6

i wouldnt put any energy into grants right now, i would however solicit local companies for donations of anything you think you need. if other people believe in your cause i am sure you will not have much trouble at all. local radio stations might even be cooperative in getting the word out for you and if you can manuever it correctly sponsor you. if you have any further questions dont hesitate to ask! good luck

Answer 7

u could try writing 2 ur mp or council and see if they'll back u, u could hold fundraisers. uk
i admire u 4 ur perseverance and commitment 2 those kids, i would like 2 be a member of women's aid 4 women who r beated by their partners, i have a lot of personal experience but i dont know where 2 start.

Answer 8

I can't answer your question but I just wanted to wish you and your sister the very best of luck. Teens today need all the help they can get. Good for you!

Answer 9

you can start a fair where you guys sell stuff, play games (for money), wash cars or whatever (for a price).. you guys can ask family members or friends to help you guys.. and you could also try going to some stores or other places with business and ask them to loan you guys things for the fair and repay them back with advertisements during the fair or something.. you guys should get money off that.. hopefully.. anyway, GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 10

i think that what you want to do is a great idea if your serious there are few places like that but then again were i come from there aurnt many drug free teens so good luck