How to Obtain Small Business Grant Money

Small business grant money can be a valuable help for small business owners – whether you want to start a small business or you need supplies or employees. If you need something for your small business in order to help it succeed, but you don’t have the funding, small business grants are a great resource. Below, you’ll learn how to obtain small business grant money.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Determine a monetary amount for your small business. First, you’ll need to determine exactly what it is your business needs and precisely how much this is going to cost. By doing this, you’ll know how many grants you will need to apply for and you’ll be able to find supplemental funding for the amount the grant money does not cover. Utilize the business calculator at http://www.bplans.com/business_calculators/startup_costs_calculator.cfm to determine what your needs are going to cost you.

2. Find appropriate small business grants. Next, you’ll need to find small business grants that you are eligible for. There are several ways to do this. The first place you should start is the Small Business Administration or SBA. You can visit your local chapter or the website at www.SBA.gov. Although the Small Business Administration does not give direct grants, they have a lot of helpful information and resources as well as partners who do give grants.
   
   You should also visit www.Grants.gov for a complete listing of government grants available for small business owners. Use the keyword search tool to find applicable grants – you can even get the application via this website as well.

3. Apply for the grants. Next, you’ll need to apply for the grants. Some grants require that you fill out a business grant proposal. This is basically an essay which helps the reviewers determine who most needs the business grant and why. Check out the tips for grant writing available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm.
   
   Also, be completely sure that all of the information entered on the grant application is correct and that there are no mistakes. You may want to have someone close to you look over the application for typos or errors that you haven’t noticed.

4. Send in the application. It’s important that you get the grant application sent in as soon as possible. Keep the deadline for the application in your mind and be sure your application makes it in well in advance. For some private organizations giving grants, it’s a first come, first serve basis. So, you should be sure to get your application in as soon as possible. Also make sure that you’ve placed enough postage on the envelope. Don’t fold the grant application – purchase a manila envelope large enough to hold it without folding.

5. Be patient and enjoy the waiting game. After you have applied, the only thing you can do is wait to hear back from grant reviewers. It’s not uncommon for months to go by without hearing anything. Remember that reviewers will most likely receive thousands of applications for grants. Be patient.
   
   By following the steps above, you can apply for a grant and receive small business grant money to help your business grow and thrive.

[zahzel]

on 11/4/2009 OMG! Good idea Zahzel

[dinrob]

on 6/12/2009 Terrific! Great help for Small Business owners to get grant money.