Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government Grants To Start Small Business For Free

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Nielsen Computer And Mobile Panel

Free Government Grants For Individuals And Small Businesses (Top 5 Best)

Available in the United States.

This app is managed by one of the worlds leading market research companies, Nielsen. Simply install the app on your devices and get rewarded for using it .

You can uninstall the app at any time.

If you are a Canadian resident, check out the Nielsen Homescan app which is also managed by The Nielsen Company.

This app rewards you for scanning the barcodes on your grocery purchases and you can get up to $180 in Visa Prepaid cards. My wife received $15 every month for scanning once every week.

This was in addition to other points and rewards.

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Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship Grant

Designer Tory Burch has a fund with the goal of mentoring and uplifting women entrepreneurs across all walks of life.

  • Award amount: $5,000
  • How to apply: Visit the website for details on the fellowship program and the foundation itself.

In addition to a monetary grant, the Fellowship program offers a year-long education model with mentorship tailored to your needs. The foundation also offers a peer network of other recipients and a trip to Burch’s New York office.

State Or Localized Government Grants

Because the federal databases are a bit daunting and nationwide grants have ample competition, its a good idea to look to your state or regional government agencies for local grants for small businesses.

In many cases, state and local governments are given grant money to pass on to specific needs in the community, so demonstrating your businesses contribution is key.

The most comprehensive place to search for state and local small business grant programs is, once again, Grants.gov. Because of the volume of grants on the site, youll want to narrow your search using keywords such as your state or industry. Another helpful website to explore is GrantWatch.com, which allows you to see upcoming grants and deadlines for opportunities in your state.

The U.S. Economic Development Association also has a directory where you can find local development offices and opportunities and a list of the latest EDA grants. If you are looking to fund a business in a rural area, you might also want to check out the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Business Enterprise Grant program.

It can also be helpful to visit your local Small Business Development Center to get support and information for local small business owners and entrepreneurs.

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State Trade Expansion Program

The STEP is a collection of government grants, and other support the Small Business Administration can offer assistance with obtaining or understanding STEP. This program focuses specifically on helping small businesses with export development. Grants are awarded to state entities. Small businesses can then apply to programs offered by these entities so that they can benefit from export development opportunities. Feel free to send an email to to better understand how your business can benefit.

Craft A Perfect Proposal

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Writing the grant proposal is one of the most difficult parts of the process.

Be sure to understand the purpose of the grant and tailor your application toward it.

Show how your business is the best one to meet the objectives of the grant.

Most importantly, explain how the grant will benefit your business and make a difference.

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Live Your Dream Award

Each year, the Live Your Dream Foundation grants $2.1 million in educational funds to women on behalf of Soroptimist International. This foundation focuses on women who have survived sexual violence or other traumatic events.

  • Award amount: $1,000$16,000
  • How to apply: Visit Soroptimist’s portal for more information.

The Live Your Dream Foundation offers programs and funding that help women build confidence, advance their careers, and overcome unexpected situations. Though prize money ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, becoming an international finalist allows winners to receive a maximum of about $16,000.

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Where To Find Business Grants

Below is a list of some of the most robust resources for finding grants that can aid your business:

  • SBA.gov is one of the top places to search for grants. The government site is filled with various grant and financing opportunities.
  • Grants.gov is the ultimate database for federal grants. You can search for grants by funding type, eligibility, category and agency. Be forewarned: Sorting through the database will require some effort, but the potential payoff is that you may find a grant opportunity that is perfect for your company.

In the wake of the coronavirus, there are resources, including federal and private funding sources, that are helping businesses cope with the drastic economic contraction that is affecting the world.

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans are administered by the SBA and can provide businesses with working capital to pay employees, rent and other expenses.
  • In addition to government loans, companies like Verizon have created funds that provide grants to small businesses.

The Cons Of Small Business Grants

Free Government Grants For Individuals And Small Businesses (2021)

Unfortunately, there are a number of cons associated with small business grants.

  • Grant applications are time-consuming
  • Because grants are essentially free money, there are many hidden âcostsâ associated with themâincluding your time. Typically, grant applications require a lot of paperwork. In addition to the application, you and your small business will also have to provide additional documentation such as demographics of your market, your product or service and your specific reasons for applying for the grant.

  • You need to justify your purpose
  • In your application, you will be required to show specifically and with great attention to detail how you will use the grant funds, should they be awarded to you. This may involve charts, graphs, budget numbers, market demographics, and projection sheets that will paint a picture of your intentions. This is time-consuming and often requires many hours of research, planning and organizing. Since grants are essentially free money, the issuer may require you to show how your small or online business will use the grantmoney to benefit the society at large.

  • Waiting on a grant approval takes time
  • After all the time you spend on the application process, be prepared to wait even longer for the response. It takes weeks and sometimes months to find out if youâve been approved or not for a smallbusiness grant. This can be very frustrating, especially if you, as the small business owner, are in need of the funds quickly.

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    Small Business Administration Grants

    SBA is a federal agency created to support small business owners and entrepreneurs in the country.

    SBA offers limited federal small business grants that most often come in the form of technical assistance, but their real value exceeds thousands of dollars:

    Here are key SBA grants to support small businesses:

    1. 7 Management and Technical Assistance Program

    If you want to get ready to win federal, state, and local government contracts, 7 Management and Technical Assistance Program can help you do that. Eligible businesses receive training and one-on-one consulting in a wide range of business activities, including marketing accounting, contract management, etc.

    2. SBA Mentor-Protégé Program

    Under this program, a small business owner gets opportunities to learn key business growth functions from an experienced government contractor.

    3. Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    This is one of the popular coronavirus small business grants. Eligible restaurants, bars, or other qualifying businesses that have been affected by Covid-19 can apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

    4. Small Business Innovation Research Programs

    Powered by SBA, the SBIR program is good for small businesses that do independent research and development.

    5. Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

    STTR program is also for small businesses that want to do research and development. But, in this program, small businesses have to form partnerships with non-profit research institutions.

    How Next Insurance Helps Small Businesses

    NEXT Insurance is committed to supporting small business owners and self-employed professionals at every step of their journey.

    As your business changes, the risks you face every day also change. You may need to revisit your business insurance coverage or purchase a new policy if you dont have coverage.

    We offer a variety of small business insurance options, including general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and workers compensation. Our online services allow you to apply for coverage and obtain a certificate of insurance within minutes from a computer or mobile device, and youll always have access to our do-it-yourself portal.

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    State And Regional Small Business Grants

    State governments also offer funds to small business owners. You can search for these grants online or by contacting your states economic development office.

    Apply For An Sba Loan & Lighten The Load Of Debt

    Top Black and Minority Business Grants

    Learning how to get free money from a free government grant sounds great, but itâs even more appealing if youâre in debt.

    Itâs easy to get into debt when bootstrapping a business, but with the help of government assistance, you can mitigate the effects of debt and get back on your feet.

    One option is applying for a loan through the SBA. While the SBA itself doesnât lend to businesses, it facilitates the process of getting a loan.

    Many SBA-guaranteed loans offer benefits such as:

    • competitive rates
    • lower down payments
    • ongoing counseling

    For small businesses, going through the SBA can be far more helpful than going through a bank or private lender.

    You can use the Lender Match feature on the SBAâs site to apply for loans. The process is fairly straightforward, and the SBA helps you every step of the way.

    However, this approach isnât all sunshine and rainbows.

    Finding a lender and getting approved can take some time, and some have rather strict requirements. For some loans, you may even need collateral. This can put your personal assets at risk.

    Thatâs why applying for an SBA loan is something you need to think about carefully. Theyâre great for the right business, but you need to know what youâre getting into.

    Get Free Government Money for Your Business

    Knowing how to fund your business with government money can be extremely beneficial for startups of all shapes and sizes.

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    Corporate Small Business Grants

    Corporations, like Visa, offer small business grants to nonprofit organizations, startups and other organizations.

    • Visa Everywhere Initiative: This is a global competition designed for startups that focus on solving commerce and payment issues. Winners receive free money, as well as global exposure for their business. You can sign up to be notified when 2022 applications become available.
    • Walmart Local Community Grants: Walmart gives grants that range from $250 to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations that benefit the community. The application deadline is December 31, 2021.
    • Nike Community Impact Fund: Nike, in partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation of America, awards funds to nonprofits in select metro areas that have a positive impact on communities through sports and other community-focused initiatives.

    Small Business Grants Specifically For Women

    While grants offered by private companies and grants for startups are available to a broader range of business owners, there are also grants specifically for women-owned businesses. You can find resources and information at womens business centers, but here are two business grants for women to start with.

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    No Federal Grants For Businesses

    The federal government does not offer grants for starting or growing a business. It only provides grants for nonprofit and educational institutions. These organizations focus mainly on medicine, technology development, and other related fields. Find out more about federal grants.Some state and local programs offer business grants. They usually require you to match the funds. Or, they may expect you to combine the grant with other forms of financing, such as a loan.

    Free Government Grants For Small Businesses

    5 Grants to Start a Small Business (for Startups)

    byKyle BernalJuly 4, 2022, 11:37 am

    Over 99% of businesses in the United States are considered small. Its equivalent to almost 32.5 million firms, according to Small Business Administration statistics in 2021. The federal government has shown continued interest in their success by providing grant money to eligible entrepreneurs to support their businesses. Here, you will learn the ups and downs of small business grants, tips on how to apply, where to find them, and a list of grants you may qualify for!

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    Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

    The SBA introduced this COVID-19 grant as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. Shuttered Venue Operators Grants are available to individuals such as movie theater operators, talent representatives, and others who were affected by having their venue closed due to the pandemic.

    Eligible applicants can receive a grant worth up to 45% of their gross earned revenue. The maximum grant amount is $10 million. To be eligible, applicants or venues must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020, and have not applied for or received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020.

    As of August 2021, applications for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants are closed. The SBA intends to open the program for supplemental grants worth 50% of the original award amount, capped at a total of $10 million, but has not yet announced additional details. Visit the SBA website for updates on this timing.

    Business Grants For Women

    On top of all the grants weve looked at so far, there are several grants and resources specifically for small women-owned businesses.

    I encourage you to visit your local Womens Business Centers if possible there are over 100 across the United States. They will be able to point you towards additional grant options or help you find alternative funding methods.

  • The Amber Grants: Each month, one small business owned by a woman wins a $10,000 Amber Grant. You will need to get votes to win, so it helps to have a strong social network. At the end of the year, the 12 recipients have a chance to win the annual $25,000.
  • The InnovateHer Challenge: This is a grant for women entrepreneurs that is funded by the SBA every year. There are 3 winners, with first place receiving $40,000, second winning $20,000, and third being granted $10,000. Its a fairly prestigious grant that comes with a lot of publicity for the recipients businesses as well.
  • To become eligible, you first need to win a local InnovateHer challenge to qualify for the national competition.

    Any type of business is eligible to compete, but those geared towards women and their social problems typically do best.

  • Cartier Womens Initiative Award: These grants are prestigious awards that can make a huge difference for any small business. There are 21 finalists , who all get personalized coaching, training, networking opportunities, and media visibility. That alone is worth a lot of money.
  • Recommended Reading: The Federal Government Grant Help Commission

    Types Of Grants Available To Small Businesses

    Grants of many types are available to small business owners and grouped into four main categories. Your eligibility for these grants will depend on your products and services, how you own your business, and your business’s mission.

    The four types of grants available to business owners are:

  • Federal grants: The government gives grants to stimulate the economy and draws from the U.S. general federal revenue.
  • State grants: These can be smaller than federal grants, but because of their state-specific requirements, the competition is often slimmer. This makes them more attainable for many organizations. Even smaller than a federal grant, they can still be a much-needed financial boost.
  • Local grants: Small establishments are the main focus of these grants that directly stimulate the community around them.
  • Corporate grants: These grants, given out by corporations, can have various requirements, come in different amounts, and be suited for specific or broad types of businesses. In most cases, companies set aside money at the beginning of the fiscal year and host competitions to distribute funds.
  • Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

    Arlington: Up To $10,000 Available For Small Businesses Through The ...

    This grant program is for eco-friendly and sustainable women-owned businesses around the world. Cartier offers three funding types: regional awards, diversity, equity, and inclusion awards, and science and technology pioneer awards.

    • Award amount: $30,000$100,000
    • How to apply: Visit the website for more information on various awards.

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