How to Get a Grant to Start a Small Business
There are organizations available to you, the individual, that will supply you with federal funds. In most cases, these funds are not loans that you have to pay back. This process is not a get-rich-quick scheme and requires an application process. Once you have found an assistance program you want to apply for, follow the directions contained within that program. Each program is unique and has its own requirements and procedures.
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Instructions
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Fill out Standard Form 424. While some programs have their own specific application forms, many use the Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." You may be required to fill out several standard forms. In addition, you may also be asked to complete a few certifications and your proposal narrative. All federal funding sources are required to use these standard forms.Standard Form 424 collects basic background information on the applicant, the proposed project, funding source data, amount of funding sought and state clearinghouse requirements.
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Create a business proposal before you apply for any type of grant. Many proposals submitted do not conform to the instructions and guidelines provided by the EPA. This failure often makes the proposal harder to review and reduces its competitiveness. A substantial number of proposals fail to identify concrete objectives. They remain at the conceptual level and do not describe effectively what the program's tangible results will be.
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Find a funding program. The top five programs are listed below (see Resources for links). Women's Business Ownership AssistanceVery Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans8(a) Business DevelopmentMinority Business DevelopmentUnsolicited Grant Program
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Get registered. To apply for a grant, you and/or your organization must complete the registration process at Grants.gov.
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Tips & Warnings
It is important that you fill out Form 424 correctly and to the best of your knowledge because this is the first thing that the funding source will look at. The way that you fill it out may decide whether or not you get funded.
