I want to start a small vending business.
2006-09-12 00:37:04 · 5 answers · asked by mustang67692004 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
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/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show
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.
2006-09-12 00:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by imisidro 7 · 13⤊ 0⤋
You already received some great information about grants so I thought I'd pass along some info about vending.
Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* Start Your Own Vending Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Anne Rawland Gabriel
* Vending Business-In-A-Box: A step-by-step guide to starting a profitable vending business without getting burned by Bryon Krug
* Vending Success Secrets - How Anyone Can Grow Rich In America's Best Cash Business! by Bill Way
* The Vending Jackpot by Ronnie Talent
* Cash Locations: A step-by-step guide to securing the best money-making locations for your vending machines by Ronnie Talent
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-09-12 02:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no grants to start a profit making business.
2006-09-12 02:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where's this for free? Where's that for free? You want to overcharge people for Twix bars, but you want to want a grant for free. Spend some money already!
2006-09-12 00:39:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look also at
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml
2006-09-12 03:07:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋