I do not qualify for a loan. Where can i apply for a grant to start a small catering business?

Answer 1

You heard wrong that you can get grants to start a 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.

Answer 2

A grant is a gift. The only entities offering grants to entrepreneurs are friends or parents.

To start a small catering business, why not start with your home, using that which is already paid for or available within your current income? On larger events, make a deal with a rental place where you can get chairs, etc. at a discount, by negotiating with them a special price if you become a repeat customer and offer to use them exclusively.

Start the business one customer at a time and the resources will be earned over a span of customers. The word-of-mouth advertising is best and costs the least.

Answer 3

Maybe do a diner for 10 close friends. Spend $30 and make something nice. Charge them $10 each. Try it for 50 people next week. Use the proceeds , whatever they are to buy ingreadients for whatever you cater, maybe hire somebody to help heat and serve. Just try it, Good Luck. Maybe get business cards

Answer 4

Check out the Small Business Association website. They offer guaranteed loans but they also have a lot of links on there to other sites that can help you.

Answer 5

If you are in the US and were born here, you need to leave, give up your US citizenship, then come back as a foreigner. Then you will have grants coming out your ***, and unlike those born here that start businesses, you will not have to pay any taxes.

Answer 6

The Princes Trust is a good source of funding, I looked into it once. www.princes-trust.org.uk

Answer 7

FRIENDS , FAMILY OR INVESTORS . NO BANK WILL TOUCH YOU AND PREDATORY LENDERS THE WORLDS WORST WON'T EITHER .

Answer 8

your relatives or one of your perspective customers

Answer 9

SBA