How to Get Business Start Up Grants

Business start up grants can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs who can't afford to fund their businesses themselves. A grant is different from a loan in that it does not have to be paid back, and each year, millions of dollars in grants are given to individuals and organizations. The goal of this article is to help aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs find business start up grants to launch and grow their businesses.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Create a Business Plan.

   The first step to obtaining a government start up business grant is creating a business plan. The business plan allows entrepreneurs to clearly lay out their goals for the business and determine their mission, goals, etc. It also clearly defines the business's target market, products, projections and more. This can be extremely helpful for a grant review panel who will decide which businesses receive the grant. Research how to write a grant so that it can be done properly - without errors and in an easy-to-read manner.

2. Don't forget about the Small Business Administration.

   Entrepreneurs should visit their local chapter of the SBA or Small Business Administration. This organization is quite helpful when it comes to business startup funding and offers low-interest to no-interest business loans. They also keep an up to date listing on the government grants being offered for small businesses. By working with the SBA, entrepreneurs have the advantage of recent information in the business world as well as strategies, tips and tricks to help their businesses soar. The SBA can also be reached on their website at www.SBA.gov.

3. Find Grants to Apply for.

   In order to receive grants, they must first be applied for. Most individuals aren't aware of how to find business startup grants, since the information is not typically widely advertised. However, there are a few reliable websites that are worth visiting which offer up to date information on grants offered by the government. Grants.gov allows individuals to search for any type of grant and then displays the current relevant grants in any given category. Business.gov also offers information on business grants, low-interest loans and other business opportunities. By checking in with these websites, entrepreneurs can find available startup grants and even obtain the applications needed.

4. Fill Out the Grant Applications.

   Grant applications should be filled out very carefully to ensure that all listed information is correct and that there are no errors. When filling out grant proposals and grant applications, it's important to have someone else look over the information and double check for grammatical or typographical errors. If any documents are needed to go with the grant application, they should be included and easy to understand. This helps the grant panel review the application more easily. Applications should be mailed well in advance to ensure a timely arrival. Also, the applications shouldn't be folded but mailed in a large manila envelope with the proper amount of postage.

   By following the processes and steps laid out in this article, entrepreneurs and business individuals will have an easier time finding startup grants to help their businesses launch and thrive.

Resources

• Debt Relief Grants