are there grants available for women who are small business owners ?

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. SBA has a number of loan programs offered to women as well as mentorship and training programs. They also have certification programs that can help women business owners compete better in the government contracting process.

It is hard to find grants to start a business -- even for women. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business.

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."

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.

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

Answer 2

Yes there are. Contact the Small Business Administration at 1-800-827-5722. They can help you with getting grants, and there's no charge.

Since you're a woman, ask them about the set-aside program for women and minorities, and also ask them about SCORE(service corps of retired executives)

Hope this helps you out in achieving your goals, and let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Answer 3

I'm not sure, it may depend where you are.

In Canada there certainly are grants and low interest loans available for women to start a business.

Answer 4

Most Chambers of Commerce in the US have a "Women's Business Center" associated with it. Check with them.

Answer 5

I'm sure there are but it requires some research. It may be worth checking out though.