There are index of grants out there for you to choose from, but don’t try to do everything at once. Narrow your search as much as possible based on the grants that align with your business goals and your next growth milestone. Otherwise, think about the balance between your time and the amount of support and capital you’ll be receiving with the grant. Some grants are part of larger support networks, such as membership to an accelerator or residency. Others may offer non-capital-based support like advisers and mentors.
If you’re a veteran with a disability and an entrepreneurial passion, reach out to the VR&E Self-Employment Track program. This program helps coordinate services to build your business—starting with your business plan. Team members assist in small business operations, marketing, and finances. Oregon’s Export Promotion Program, partially funded by the federal SBA’s STEP program, provides grants to small businesses so that they can participate in international trade shows and trade missions. If you have a dedicated customer base, they can help finance your business through crowdfunding.
This grant is open to small business models with a story “worth telling,” so if you plan to apply, pinpoint what makes your business unique. Our best expert advice on how to grow your business — from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page.
Incfile’s Fresh Start Business Grant can be used to cover startup costs and also includes free formation services from the company. Some organizations set aside funds for certain groups of business owners who face unique challenges, including minorities, veterans and women. Capital investors refer to both angel investors and venture capital funds. Accredited investors can help provide funding for your business startup in return for equity ownership or convertible debt (a loan that may be converted into equity in the future).
If you’re searching for federal funding for your organization, Grants.gov should be the first place you look. Run by the U.S. government, Grants.gov is home to an extensive database of grants from federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of the Interior. They don’t usually require repayment (like loans) or other trade-offs like equity or a decision-making stake in your business (like traditional investors). Eligibility to apply for grants varies based on the body offering it, so before applying, make sure your business is the size, industry, and demographics appropriate for that grant. While both help you get money for your business, grants and business loans for small businesses are different beasts.
Reviews are not provided or commissioned by the credit card, financing and service companies that appear in this site. Reviews have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the financing and service companies and it is not their responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. If so, submit your portfolio and business plan to Halstead for its annual jewelry grant award of $7,500. In addition to funds, Halstead aims to help jewelry artists develop their business, fine-tune their plans, and hit their goals. Here are some well-known government grants for which your business may be eligible. There are several nonprofit and corporate entities offering grants to small businesses including National Association of Self-Employed, Halstead Grant, Foundation for a Just Society, and many more.
Complete your business profile to find grants that match your business. Grantwatch.com and Foundation Directory Online are two additional resources that provide up-to-date information on available grants. Both charge a subscription fee; if money is tight your local library might have a subscription. Your librarian can help you find other resources to search for grants as well.
The NIFA is a federal agency within the USDA with a focus on leadership and funding programs. It offers grants throughout the year, which come with support and guidance. Be mindful that many of its grants are offered to nonprofits or larger businesses. Applying for a business grant is a long and involved process, so it’s crucial to apply only for the ones you’re eligible for. To narrow your search to a select few grants, carefully check the details and deadlines of each grant you consider.
Perhaps you’d like to start an affiliate marketing business over the Internet, or a retail shop to sell sporting wear. There are counseling government grants available through the Small Business Association (SBA) to help you get started in your new career, something that you’ve longed to do for quite a while. Backed by the SBA, SCORE is a nonprofit organization that guides entrepreneurs and small business owners through expert mentoring, workshops, webinars and other educational resources. Cesar, a pet food company, offers a Workplace Grant through its Better Cities for Pets program for small businesses that embrace pet-friendly policies. The grants provide businesses with between $2,500 and $5,000 to improve amenities throughout their operation to better accommodate pets and establish pet-friendly policies. Since grants come in so many shapes and sizes, each application process can be unique.
All of the research and work that go into applying for any business grant can be daunting, but the SBDC might be able to help. There are nearly 1,000 development centers across the country where business owners can seek free consulting and training on various topics, including cybersecurity and digital advertising. SBDC consultants can help you find and apply for the right grants for your business. In addition to the SBA, several small business grant programs are available from other federal agencies. Small business grants are amounts of seed money given to entrepreneurs to build upon their business. Grant money is considered “gifted,” and you are not required to pay it back. Sometimes, you may need to pay taxes on the amounts received, so please consider this and talk to a tax professional.