How can a Deaf person get a grant to start their own business?

Question

I used to be hearing, I was a certified sign language interpreter for 28 years, until last year when I went deaf. I can no longer interpret, obviously, and for my own financial stability, would like to start a small business utilizing my and my husband's crafts (we are both quite talented--myself with soft sculpture, sewing and quilting, he with welded art and woodworking.) I would like to know what is out there in the way of grants that would help me get started. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

There are a number of government grants available to the disabled -- but not for starting a business.

It is hard to find grants to start a business -- whether male or female, whites or minority, abled bodies or disabled bodies.

Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business.

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 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

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/1572484500/powerhomebizguid
Small Business Financing: How and Where To Get It http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0808007386/powerhomebizguid
Financing the Small Business: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Bank Loans and All Other Types of Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580626815/powerhomebizguid
The SBA Loan Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158062202X/powerhomebizguid
Angel Capital : How to Raise Early-Stage Private Equity Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471690635/powerhomebizguid
Financing Your Small Business (Barron's Business Library Series) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764124897/powerhomebizguid

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.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

all these grants to start business gimmicks are scams mainly. there are grants available but normally only for very specific uses like maybe solar energy or producing biodiesel things the community or gov needs. also for photography there's really not a lot of startup costs i know camera equip is expensive but thats something you should have already if your a profesional photographer aside from that its just web design and promoting yourself

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

Hello gumbi,

Have you thought about writing an e-book on your talents as a sign language interpreter?

I would definitely buy it from you!! My wife ( we Live in New Zealand) works with our junior scouts movement here they are called keas( a native bird from New Zealand that's very cheeky so the name is very fitting) and has a kiddy with deaf parents. It would be great to be able to talk to them via sign.

I also have access to some great help for the e-book writing if you are keen.

I really believe this would be a GREAT IDEA. I would be willing to invest in this as well.

PLEASE!! please contact me

[e-mail]

I look forward to your reply.

I hope this helps you out!

Answer 7

Every time I ask a question, even if it is the easiest one, they can't offer me a good informed answer on this site. Wtf happened to people who actually take the time to write an answer..

Answer 8

This puzzles me too

Answer 9

Maybe so