What Is a Grant for Small Business?

By: Rachel Mork

If you're looking start up a new business, you should look into the possibility of landing a small business grant. While small business startup grants are few and far between, you may be eligible for this tax-free, interest-free money. Amazingly enough, you do not have to have good credit or even have a job to get a grant; all you need is excellent grant proposal writing skills and a business plan that is feasible.

But why should you go through the agony of learning how to write a grant proposal, completing the application process and waiting for one of the available grants for new businesses?

Grants Can Provide Substantial Funding
If you are a minority or are starting a business that promotes research and development of key scientific or environmental progress, you could land a small business startup grant that could help you open your doors.

Grants Have Significant Benefits
You do not have to pay business grants back, nor do you have to pay interest or taxes on the money you receive. Grant money is free and clear of financial obligations. Keep in mind, the organization that gives you the grant will expect you to follow through with your business plan as detailed in your grant proposal, but, other than that, the money is yours to use as needed by your business.

Grants Can Lead to More Funding
The very fact that you've landed a small business grant may inspire the confidence of other venture capitalists, opening access to more funds for your business. This snowball effect may be exactly what you need to get your business off the ground.

One Grant May Lead to Another
If you succeed with your first grant, you may find yourself eligible for a second grant. Obtaining that first grant is a bit of a status booster, since it shows you were successful at convincing one foundation or government entity to support you financially.

Related Life123 Articles

Grants for small business may appear to be free money, but the criteria you need to meet in order to receive one are strict, the applications can be complicated and the process can take months or even years to complete.

Small business grants are difficult to find, but can make a significant difference in the start up of your small business.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ask.com
More Related Life123 Articles

The easiest way to find women business grants is to hire a professional proposal writer to find the grants. However, if you are determined to find grant money on your own, plan on doing a lot of research.

When applying for business grants, it's easy to make these simple proposal-sinking mistakes, especially if you are not educated in how to write a grant proposal before you apply.

If you want to find out if you are eligible for any number of government funded grants, you'll want to research what kinds of grants are available. Many of these grants lean toward non-profit organizations that invest in research and development.

Answers Partner Sites: Ask Answers  |  Kids Answers  |  Ask How-To  |  Reference Answers  |  Life123 Answers  |  GardenandHearth Answers
Partner Sites: Insider Pages  |  MerchantCircle  |  Urbanspoon  |  Ask Kids  |  Thesaurus
© 2012 Life123, Inc. All rights reserved. An IAC Company