It's Your Business

September 20, 2008

Small Business Grants: Look Local For Best Results

Filed under: Apply For Free Grants — Tags: — ingere @ 2:57 pm

 

Small business grants can be the answer if you are in the market for the funding to start your own business. Many of the new businesses today have been started with the help of a small business grant. These grants can be one way for the small business owner to get the money they need for start up money. The grants are available from various sources. The Department of Commerce is one source. The application is made and the answer is usually provided within a short period of time.

Business grants can also be a good idea for a non profit company. Many charities operate on donations and the business grant can help tide them over when the donations get few and far between. If your business is of the type that does research there are several agencies that will fund the research you do.

A business grant can be for start up for a business or a business that is already in existence. One of the great things about grants are they do not have to be repaid like a loan. Obtaining a loan can mean you have to put your home up for the collateral. This can carry several risks. There is always the chance that something could happen that you would not be able to make your payments. This could leave you at risk of losing your home.

The types of business grants that are available can make a difference if you get one or not. There are many available for minorities. Women are one of the minorities that are considered a good candidate for a small business grant. Minorities are another and older Americans are another.

While many types of grants may be found on the government grant website they do not provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. These grants normally  come from the states or from private investors. The grants are available. You just have to be willing to do a little research to find them.

When applying for a small business grant there are a few things that will make a difference as to whether you are even considered for the grant. Most of the grants that are available will want a few things before making a decision to grant your request or not. The bare minimum requirements include a letter explaining exactly what you are asking for – the amount and what you would like to do with it once you are approved.

Your financial information is another important factor that will have an effect on the grant is your financial information. One is your income. The sources from which it comes and records for the last two years employment. When sending in or taking the income information, make sure it is all income you receive. The money you pay out each month for your mortgage is another thing they will want to know.

If you have applied or received any other grants in the past two or three years, this is another thing they will want to know. The option of requesting other information is up to them and if they do, you should send it in right away. This will avoid any possible delays. Usually within two to three weeks you will receive a reply.

 

June 13, 2008

Career Change Grants: How to get a grant for a new business

If you are thinking about changing careers and are hoping to get a career change grant to start your own business, then if you have the will and perseverence to do so, you just might find this route the way to change your career.

As a former scientist, I can tell you that getting grants is not a cake walk.  In fact most older scientists spend the vast majority of their time worrying, fretting and writing grants only to have them shot down.  Since academic scientists rely solely on government grants, getting a grant can mean the difference between success, mediocrity and even unemployment.

Small business grants are few and far between and have strict qualifications on them.  If you already are a business man or business woman and have writing and research skills as well as business management skills, then you may be able to take all that and use it to your benefit in small business grant writing. 

Most small business grants, unlike small business loans, are given out by states, so the first place to look for a grant for your business is at your state’s business website.  If they do not have a list of small business grant applications that are open, contact the state’s small business department to see where you can find information about available grants and thier requirements.

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