GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS: HOW TO APPLY

  1. Almost all grants are for existing businesses – If you haven’t started your business, it’s almost impossible to win a grant. Look for a loan instead.
  2. Grants are given to “interesting” businesses – A standard coffee shop is going to have a hard time winning a grant. Most grants are awarded to businesses who are innovative or contributing to a social cause.
  3. Grants aren’t immediate – Most grants only accept applications once a year, and the winner isn’t announced until later. Grants are not a short-term funding solution.

    WHERE TO FIND GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

  4. SCORE chapters
  5. Small Business Development Centers
  6. Regional SBA offices
  7. Local incubators

    GOVERNMENT SOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS

    Grants.gov:

  8. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
  9. Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR)
  10. State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
  11. Challenge.gov:
  12. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grants:
  13. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Grants:
  14. Department oEconomic Development Administration (EDAf Education Grants
  15. FedEx’s Small Business Grant
  16. National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE)
  17. Fundera’s The Zach Grant:
  18. Walmart Foundation Grants
  19. Wells Fargo Community Giving Grants:
  20. The InnovateHer Challenge:
  21. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA):
  22. First Nations Development Institute Grants:
  23. If you want to win grants, you’ll need to take it seriously and beat out the competition. Don’t be afraid to apply to smaller ones, because they will often have less competition than the grants for high amounts.I strongly encourage you to also visit local small business associations, and pursue other means of small business financing if you need money for your business urgently.