Business Grants

If you have a non-profit organization then you qualify for different grants. If you want to start or run a business, then you need a business grant and that usually comes from foundations. The government won't give a grant if you intend to run a business and make a profit. For that the government will guarantee a loan for you if you have good credit. That's what the Small Business Administration does. They LOAN money, they don't give it away in the form of a business grant.

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:
 

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!

Women Business Grant availability varies greatly by region, by state, and even by the type of business you are going into.  If you're serious about wanting a business grant to start or expand your business, you're going to have to do some work.  And actually, DW has a great page of resources for you already.  They include the Small Business Administration, (SBA), SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) that is a free service for you. So, explore the DW Website, and see what you can find. 

Next, check with the Small Business Development Center in your area.  Sometimes they will know about available business grants, and sometimes have business grants for small business owners.  Are you disabled?  If you are, your local Vocational Rehabilitation Center offers business grants from $6,000 to $10,000 for you to start your own business.  You have to be accepted into their program, and you have to write a solid business plan, but there are plenty of resources available to help you do that!  Do you have a women's business center in your area?  What about local foundations that focus on women or women's issues? 

See also: Minority Grants for Women

Check into Micro-enterprise...you can find more information through your local Chamber of Commerce, or Economic Development offices.  Check your state's webpage too.  Often they will list resources for small business owners. (From Cheryl Antier)