How do I apply for a grant to start a small business?

I am a 33 year old single Mother of a ten year old boy and a seven year old girl. I design and construct apparel and accessories. I would like to expand somehow, but I have no capital and would like to find the grant that is right for my needs.

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.

http://www.cfda.gov
http://www.grants.gov
http://gtionline.fdncenter.org
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm
http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

If you are Canadian and have payed into employment insurance, you can receive free business counselling, and while you ramp up your business collect your U.I. benefits. If they have expired you could qualify for roll back assistance. There is also a money available for you if you have come back from a pregnancy leave. Don't go to the grant book directory sites, they are ususally full of hype from material already publically available. You need a good business plan and make a few sales. Its easier to get funding for something that is making money already. Also consider loans but don't pledge your home ever.

Where are you located? In Canada Email me. In the United States, check with your local Small Business Registry.

I don't have the answers but here is one place where you can start looking_
http://www.proposalwriter.com/small.html

To be completely honest, there are no grants for anyone that want to start that kind of business.....i have done SO MUCH research and the only grants available are for non-profit orgs. or business who provide consulting for small business owners. You can do your research, but I wouldn't waste my time....however; the government will guarantee a loan. If you go to three banks and get denied, the government will guarantee a loan through Bank of America. Check out their website. www.sba.gov

I believe you are going to need a loan. You're unlikely to get a grant unless it's a non-profit organization.

You will first need a well developed business plan:

http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html

After writing your plan, take it to your bank of choice. They will review it and give you feedback. You will probably need to invest some of your own capital into the business, unless you have wealthy friends that would like to invest in it. Hope this helps.

Go to the Small Business Administration website. They have lots of free information.
http://www.sba.gov

depending on where you live your community might offer some type of program....

Start with the Small Business Administration below. Also contact the small business incubator in your hometown and SCORE

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