Does anyone know how to apply for a small business grant from the federal government?

Answer 1

You stand a greater chance of getting a government-guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/financing than a government grant. Read the SBA Financing page to learn about criteria needed for borrowing

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 SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.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

The executive not often - quite simply certainly not - presents offers to new, for-profiit, small trade begin-ups. When executive offers are to be had, they are (a) in aid of a few governmental target, e.g. making improvements to literacy in K-12 pupils wherein English is a moment language or eliminating hazardous matters like lead paint chips from low revenue housing, and (b) issued to big, centered associations like schools, hospitals and non-earnings like Goodwill. So if your enterprise is repairing Harleys or promoting video video games, you are toast. If you are a contractor or in every other profession that realistically would support meet a central authority target, then you will have a pair chances. The trick is to spot the big tuition(s) on your discipline which might be receiving provide cash for a few venture wherein your online business would possibly be handy as a sub-contractor. They get the provide, however you receives a commission by way of them with the provide cash. A extra competitive method is to touch such an tuition and invite them to co-write a provide with you. Bottom line: ZERO provide greenbacks to support you begin a trade, POTENTIALLY a few "moment-hand" provide greenbacks if you'll be able to support a provide recipient satisfy its ambitions.

Answer 3

Here are some links to help you get started -

http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.SEARCH_BY_KEYWORD_RPT.show
http://www.grants.gov/
If you are a disabled veteran, a minority, or you live in a HUBzone (historicaly under-utilized business zone) you may qualify for SBA (Small Business Administration) assistance. SBA works with your local bank to guarantee or insure SBA loans, so this is worth checking out as well.

Good luck!