Here’s an interesting Video called Grants for Women – Project Working Mom – The Balancing Act (click on the title above to view the video)
Four steps to getting a business grant:
1. Write a solid business plan. Banks won’t lend money to businesses without one and most organizations won’t give grants without one.
2. Have a real business, with a business name, proper licensing and be sure to comply with all local, state and federal laws.
3.Do your market research. This is by and large part of the business plan and without it you r company could fail. Take time to define your market, your offer and how you will differentiate your company from others providing a similar product or service.
4. Do your homework. Find the right grants for your needs. Either take a course in grant writing or hire someone to do it for you. This is critical to the success in acquiring a grant (or many). There are several organizations that help with grant-writing by offering workshops, courses and even resources. Some include The Community Foundation, Foundation Center (.org) and American Grant Writers Foundation.
For more tips on how to get the grant, read What Grantmakers Want Applicants to Know
Here are some additional Grant Resources not listed in the 125 Grants, Loans and Scholarships for Women:
Search for Business Loans, Grants and Financing at Business.Gov http://search.business.gov/startLoans.html
Check out Google’s Grants and Scholarship programs at http://google.eresources.com/applications/login.asp (several available)
Contact your state’s economic development office, which is responsible for the growth of small businesses in your state. A representative from this office should be able to direct you to above-board grant programs for your specific company.
Peruse Grants.gov, which is owned and maintained by the federal government lists all available federal grant programs currently open for applications, many of which you or your company may be eligible for.
Find federal government grants at http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants
Find private donor and foundation grants at http://www.fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/index.jhtml
Find federal Department of Education grants at http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html
Find state level NCLB and education grant competitions at http://www.renlearn.com
Find federal Department of Health grants at http://www.dhhs.gov/grants/index.shtml
Find National Science Foundation grants at http://www.nsf.gov/verity/srchfund.htm
Additonal Guides, articles and resources for Grants (for Women, etc.):
Here’s another video called the Grant Proposal Writing Guide ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RIT1D73r_U
Grab your copy of “Grant Secrets Revealed” by Innoventum at http://www.innoventum.com/grants.html
More on how you can become qualified for a grant can be found at The Ladies Club 2000.com.
More Grants & Scholarships for Women can be found at WomanOwned.com and Raise The Nation
If you are looking for grants, loans or scholarships, be sure and check out WE Magazine for Women’s list of 125 Grants, Loans and Scholarships for Women
