How can i obtain a Federal grant to open my own business?

If you are white (Caucasian) or a male, you can't.

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

Business Owners Cafe has information for financing a small business, either with a grant or with a loan.

http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/financing/index.php

You can also contact your local Small business bureau they can give you information on grants as well as low interest small business loans.

To find the nearest Small business bureau, either search for it on the net, or contact your local Chamber of Commerce they should be able to help you.

As I understand it, if you belong to a minority group, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has loan funds available at low interest.

You can Google the word "grants" and you'll get tons of websites to research your options.

forget about it - it will not happen and does not happen - the SBA will back a loan from a babnk but you need strong credit . You obviously do not or you wouldn't be loking for the freebie grant or the mooch grant as we call at the SBA . Good luck as you will need it .

I don't think you will find that it is really hard to get a grant for a business. Especially if you live in Canada. I would look in your local telephone book in the blue (government) pages and find governement business consultants. They should be able to supply you witht he names of different loans or grants that you can apply for. Depending on how big your business is you could think about investors instead of grants. I dont know what business idea you have but there are really a lot of options. Do some local research.

Your last question was "dose anyone know of an agency in Massachusetts that helps people with criminal records find jobs?"
Everyone chose this answer fror you: Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

Department of occupational rehabilitation...

Ask them who has the grants available for you to apply for. It is their job to help you to seek out this. Make use of every opportunity.

If you can tie it in with education or job training, HEW
can help.

if u are from the out side of the united states they give the $ away. it's the white american male in this country that is at the bottom of the food chain for anything the governments[fed&state] has to offer. just call 411. they will give u the imformation u need.

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