If you're a small business owner, you'll likely be interested in learning about federal grants for small business. Find out who's offering small business government grants, and how you can become the recipient of a small business grant. Whether you're seeking small business start up grants, small business grants for women or minority small business grants, you'll benefit from proper education and training.

There are a few ways you can pursue small business grants education and training. Government and state agencies offer plenty of small business grants information, from online lists of resources to workshops. You also can find seminars and workshops about federal small business grants offered at local colleges. Some grant writing programs also will cover how to write small business grants.

1. Search federal and state government websites for information about small business grants.
2. Take seminars and workshops which address available programs regarding small business grants.
3. Enroll in grant writing courses for an education in small business grants.
   

Action Steps
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Learn who is offering grant money for small business

Government and state agencies are a good place to start pursuing small business grants education and training. Their websites will provide information and links to small business grant programs, funding organizations and even educational opportunities. Learn how and where to get government grant money for small business through many of these federal and local agencies.

I recommend: Small Business Innovation Research conducts workshops and conferences on its small business grants program, which includes workshops about granting agencies. The homepage of the U.S. Small Business Administration provides links to small business grants information and providers, as well as free online courses.

Sign up for workshops, seminars or conferences in small business grants

Perhaps the best way to get small business grants education and training is through specific workshops and seminars, as well as individual counseling. Many states offer small business development centers at local colleges to help small business owners start and operate their businesses. You can learn about small business grants through many of the programs conducted by these centers.

I recommend: The Illinois Small Business Development Center offers one-on-one counseling, seminars and workshops and small business grant assistance at McHenry County College. New Mexico State University partners with the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network to offer a Grants Small Business Development Center, where you can get access to counseling, workshops and seminars in all aspects of small business, including small business grants.

Get an education in small business grant writing

You can find out a lot about small business grants when you take a course in grant writing. Many grant writing programs cover federal small business grants. You can choose live classes or online instructional manuals to help you understand and write small business grant proposals.

I recommend: The Small Business Center Program at Nash Community College offers seminars covering many small business topics, including one on grant writing. Grantwriters.com has several grant writing courses you can purchase and download, with one specifically addressing small business grants and funding.

Grants for starting a small business are more desirable than a loan because they don’t have to be paid back. Unfortunately, federal grants for small business aren’t readily available. However, there are ways to obtain small business start up grants if you fit certain criteria. You may also be able to qualify for a specialized small business grant through state agencies.

The first step is researching and finding a grant that your company might qualify for. Check out the following possibilities for federal and state grants:

1. Apply for a small business grant if your company participates in specialized activities or research.

2. Explore your state's resources to find possible grant opportunities.

3. Receive grants if you are a minority small business owner.

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Find out if your company's extensive research qualifies you for a small business grant

If you plan to perform research within your company that the government might be interested in, you could have a shot at a federal grant. Government programs such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) give a certain percentage of research and development funds to eligible small businesses. In addition, if your company falls into a specific niche, such as industries that deal with housing, education, energy, transportation, or security, the government might have a grant for you.

I recommend: Check out Grants.gov if you think your company could qualify for a grant based on the requirements above. SBIR.gov has a page of possible funding opportunities for your small business if you choose to participate in research, and includes a list of solicitation dates for funding.

Look for small business government grants from your state

Every state offers some resources to small businesses, whether it is just advice on starting a business in that specific state, or links to possible loans and grants. Take advantage of these resources when looking for a grant, as you just might stumble over one you do qualify for.

I recommend: The U.S. Small Business Administration lists resources for each state so you can check out requirements to get a grant or other financial possibilities. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) also provides a page of state grant resources, such as how and where to possibly obtain a grant through your state.

Take advantage of minority small business grants

If you are a minority business owner, such as a woman or part of any ethnic group that is considered a minority, you have a lot of options available. Federal small business grants for women and other minorities are the government's way of trying to level the playing field when it comes to business. There are hundreds of websites online that link to beneficial grants for your business as long as you qualify.

I recommend: The MBDA exists to provide resources for minority business owners, from possible grant leads and links to relevant conferences to general advice. Before applying for grants for minority business owners, get registered at Grants.gov. This will get you access to lists of available grants that are constantly updated.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Never give out information over the phone to companies that call you claiming that you qualify for a small business grant. There are many scams out there that do this, so be aware.

A multitude of businesses hungry for capital will look at the possibility of small business grants to tide them over or help manage operating expenses for success down the road. The abundance of small and mid-sized businesses seeking grants means that this will always be a tricky way to secure revenue. But it will be something that businesses will want to look into to avoid missing out on grant opportunities.

Business leaders that want to get an idea of what kinds of state or federal small business grants programs are out there can start on the web. Internet resources for getting small business grants news and trends include:

1. Resources straight from the government agencies about how the federal and state governments prioritize small business government grants, what kinds of programs are available, and why they are done.

2. More from public web sources that relay this kind of information to the public.

3. Additional resources on specialized types of federal grants for small business, who can apply, and what types of grant options are available.

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Look for web help on small business grants directly from government sites

The federal government operates its own websites for the purposes of helping small businesses find government grants for small business and other helpful news. Government sites are a legitimate way to collect news about what's going on with grants currently.

I recommend: The U.S. government has set up this Business.gov resource site for the specific purpose of guiding small businesses toward benefits. This site includes grant information businesses can use. See more at Grants.gov, a site managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in cooperation with other partners.

Browse independent sites for small business grants news you can use

Other websites operate with a variety of informational resources for helping small or mid-sized businesses develop their grant search abilities. These will always have info pertaining to specific business goals, so take a look and see if the posted strategies fit your situation.

I recommend: Take a look at Idea Cafe for a range of options on government grant money for small business. Find more grant information at FeedAgg.com.

Locate small business grants info by criteria

Some specific criteria also apply to businesses seeking a government grant for small business. Pinpoint these and research according to what criteria fit your business.

I recommend: Take a look at EinfoNews for info on minority business grants. For small business innovative research grants, try this SBA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When researching small business grants, know that it is not advisable to go forward with a specific grant program solely on the basis of a web opinion. Always check into grant sources well before taking initial steps.

The recent global economic shift has resulted in an increase in the number of small businesses seeking alternative funding sources. Recent layoffs have more people than ever before seeking to start their own businesses. That means more small businesses are competing for the revenue that grants can provide.

Small business grants are not as widely available as some might lead you to believe. For the grants that are available, it's important to know the vocabulary as you navigate the small business grant application process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Grants versus loans

Grants are money you never have to pay back, whereas loans do have to be paid in full. The government does not widely offer grants to businesses unless there is a specific angle that meets a specific requirement of the grant, such as for education or research. The government does offer a wide variety of low interest small business loans for start-up companies and for companies already in existence.

I recommend: Small Business Grants offers a basic definition of what a grant is and who may apply.

Grant proposal

The grant proposal is the document that persuades the grantor that your business meets the requirements of the grant. It also provides an outline of what you intend to do with the funds to secure the future of your business and fulfill the purpose of the grant.

I recommend: wiseGEEK gives a full explanation of what a grant proposal generally consists of, and provides helpful tips for crafting an effective grant proposal.

Boilerplate

Boilerplate is the term given to those portions of a proposal that are standardized, such as the business description, and used in a variety of proposals to save time. Whether a seasoned grant writer or someone who is new to the process, it's important to know terms like this so you can navigate the grant application process in a way that is efficient and yields revenue for your company.

I recommend: Manchester College provides a thorough explanation of what a boilerplate includes, along with a comprehensive glossary of terms for would-be grant writers.

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)

The Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is the individual who has been designated as the person who communicates and submits the grant application package to the grantor. This person is authorized to make important decisions and sign appropriate documentation as required by the small business grant application process.

I recommend: GrantAbility.com provides a helpful glossary explaining what AORs are, as well as other important small business grant key terms.

Project grants

Project grants are awarded to companies and organizations for a specific period of time and for a very specific purpose, such as education or research. Most federal grants offered to small businesses are project grants.

I recommend: Review American Resource Discoveries for an explanation of project grants, as well as tips on funding sources for minority business owners.

Block grants

Block grants are those not designated to a specific category. More flexibility is applied when distributing these grant funds.

I recommend: WomensNet.net is a helpful resource with explanations of block grants and other key terms. The website also provides information specific to women business owners, including the Amber Grants for Women Business Owners.