We’ve all seen the headlines: “Millions in free government money for your business.” Late-night infomercials and Internet advertisements promise grants to start or expand a business. Sound too good to be true? It is. Infact, “business grants” is too general a term to describe funding available for small businesses. This funding may be from a variety of sources and can come in the form of grants, loans, venture capital, debt or equity financing or a combination of various forms of traditional or non-traditional financing.
Facts About Government Grants
The federal government does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business. Grants from the federal government are only available either to special purpose businesses that are working on research & innovation of a technology or to non-commercial organizations, such as non-profits and educational institutions in areas such as, medicine, education, scientific research and technology development. The federal government also provides grants to state and local governments to assist them with economic development.
Some business grants are available through state and local programs, non-profit organizations and other groups. For example, some states provide grants for expanding child care centers; creating energy efficient technology; and developing marketing campaigns for tourism. These grants are not necessarily free money, and usually require the recipient to match funds or combine the grant with other forms of financing such as a loan.
If you are not one of these specialized business, both federal and state government agencies provide financial assistance programs that helps small business owners obtain low-interest loans and venture capital financing from commercial lenders. Have a Question about Government Grants? Visit the Government Grants Community Forums to get answers to your questions, and discuss financing issues with other small business owners and industry experts.
How to Find Grants
If you are a small business owner, use Business.Gov’s Small Business Loans and Grants Search Tool to find specialized small business grant programs.
If you are a non-profit organization or a for-profit business involved in scientific and technology research and development, consult the following resources:
- Grants.gov - Find and apply for thousands of federal government grant programs.
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance – Search a comprehensive database of grants, loans and other assistance programs available from federal agencies.
The following is a selection of major grant programs provided by the federal government agencies:
Arts, Humanities and Education
- Education – U.S. Department of Education
- Humanities – National Endowment for the Humanities
- Libraries and Archives – National Archives and Records Administration
- Museums – Institute of Museum and Library Services
- Visual and Performing Arts - National Endowment for the Arts
Community and Social Services
- Employment and Labor Grants – U.S. Department of Labor
- Housing – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Law Enforcement – U.S. Department of Justice
Health and Medicine
- Cancer Research – National Cancer Institute
- Health Care Services – U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration
- NIH Grants – National Institutes of Health
Science, Technology and Environment
- Energy Sciences Grants – U.S. Department of Energy
- Environmental Grants and Fellowships – Environmental Protection Agency
- Natural Resources – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Scientific Research Grants – National Science Foundation
- Small Business Research and Development Grants
- Technology Grants – National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Telecommunications – National Telecommunications and Information Administration
I’ve read so many views on this matter that I couldn’t be much more baffled.
Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve take into accout your stuff previous to and you’re simply
too magnificent. I really like what you have acquired right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the best way through which you say it. You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
Yeah, Will do – I’ll put them on this week, when I’ve
got a few hours free.
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort
of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.
Studying this info So i’m happy to show that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling
I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot definitely
will make sure to do not omit this website and give it a glance regularly.
Very nice write-up. I absolutely appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
Hello there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it
and personally suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited
from this website.
Now then guys lets just calm down and have a lovely warm bath and a mug of hot chocolate.
Good short intro, made me read the whole article. Mine always seem to waffle
on, yours is nice and punchy.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the
other person’s web site link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same in favor of you.
top seo picks
Ooh question time, do I have the opportunity to ask a challenging question?
I am in fact delighted to read this web site posts
which carries lots of useful data, thanks for providing these
kinds of information.
hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up
anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site, since
I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to
load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances
times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score
if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and
can look out for much more of your respective exciting content.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
I feel like I’ve been on the wrong end of a stampeed after reading this. It’s bloody difficult concentrating with a hangover.
Hit ‘copy’ in windows Vista and tried to paste onto
google android. Maybe I ought to retire from life.
bbq time / beer time is close. If I can just comprehend this post in
the next 10 minutes I’ll be able to unwind.
Last minute articles are always the best, the words just pour out onto the screen.
These are really fantastic ideas in about blogging. You have touched some
fastidious things here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.