Business Grants for Women

What is a grant?
 

A grant usually comes in the form of cash and is used for a specific purpose. Grants can come from a variety of sources. Grants usually do not have to be paid back. It is funding given to you for a specific area of study or research.

One of the misconceptions that most women have is thinking that the government gives grants for starting a small business. The government does give grants, but they give them for education and research and other personal areas. They give a LOT of grants for those specific areas. They don't give grants for "business start up". If they did every woman in America could have free money to start a business.

I "think" one reason they get confused is because there is a form of the government called the Small Business Administration. This section of the government is designed to help those wanting to start a business, BUT.... they do not do it by giving out free money. They do it by LOANING money. The Small Business Administration has NEVER given free grants for business startup, but don't get discouraged. There ARE lots of foundations and other places to get grants for starting a business.

So the first myth to dispel is that a grant is not the same thing as a loan. 

Not ALL government grant programs are advertised. 

That's why some of the grant packages and programs are very valuable. They have found those resources that you will have a hard time finding on your own. The grant packages listed below have done all the work for you.
A few are:
 

Mathew Lesko

American Grant Provider

Although billions of dollars are given away annually by Government Agencies and 30,000 + grant-making Foundations in the United States, Most Americans do not even know these Agencies and Foundations exist, or how to contact them!

Grants don't have to be paid back and loans do.

To get back to the Small Business Administration, (SBA)... they do offer loans to women in the form of a "guarantee". They don't actually loan you the money. They have participating financial instutions such as banks, that will loan you the money for a business startup and the SBA just "guarantees" the loan. The loan itself actually comes from the bank or lending institution. For this to take place you must have good credit. 

Back to Grants

So if the government doesn't give business startup grants, then who does? Well, there are quite a few places believe it or not. A lot of corporations and foundations participate in grant giving. Even smaller companies are starting to offer small business grants. You just have to know where to find them.

Some of the software programs you see and the books offered do provide a lot of information on grant giving. Not all of it will be focused on business, though. Before you digging real hard for a business grant, let me assure you that you are going to go through a lot of red tape, a lot of paperwork and a lot of headache. You can see Grant Site Reviews here.

When someone gives you money for free in the form of a grant, they want to know where every single penny goes and they have a right to know as well. You must keep accurate, up-to-date records and file your reports on time.

Believe it or not, using a grant to start a business is TWICE as hard as just getting a loan to start a business. Not only that, but you have to answer to several people of the organization or foundation for your every expendature. There are also a LOT of rules involved with using a grant. Some things won't be allowed as far a spending the grant money.

Other Options

Loans are your best bet. You don't have to have perfect credit to get a loan. For a business loan, you will be required to put up part of the money yourself. This assures the lending institution that you aren't just putting "their" money at risk. You are risking your own money as well.

SEE Also:
Grants for women
Grant site reviews for women
Grants for Women - the scoop
Get Grant Funding for Your Nonprofit Organization
Business Grants for women - FAQs
Business Grants for women faq page 2
Business Grants for women faq page 3
Business Grants for women faq page 4
Business Grants for women faq page 5
Small Business Grants - Tips from the Pros