Business Money:
Government Grants for Small Business

Submit your government grant request for business now >>

Article by: Richard Glenworthy, Financial Advisor

Whether you are starting a business, expanding your business or just have a business idea, it is vital to research the financial resources and opportunities available to enable your project to be a success. Cash flow is the life blood of any business and is especially vital to the survival of any young enterprise, including yours.

Some of the best business money resources available to you are business grants and loans offered by the federal and state government. These government grants are offered to qualifying individuals and organizations to stimulate and encourage economic growth in various sectors. The government and community benefit from the formation of new businesses, which create new jobs and new tax revenue.

Who qualifies for these small business grants? What is involved in applying for them? What programs are available? How much money is awarded to qualified applicants? Are grants ‘free money’? All are important and frequently asked questions regarding government grant money.

You qualify for a small business grant, loan or government assistance program if you are a sole proprietor of a business, in a partnership (and at least 50% is owned by a US citizen) and you are over 18 years of age. You may be looking to start a business. It can be a home based business, as a business contractor, in the business services sector, manufacturing, or you may want to buy a business franchise for example.

You need money to pay for:

• Equipment
• Property
• Licenses
• Supplies
• Inventory
• Salaries
• Marketing and Advertising.

For all these purposes and many more, there are government funding programs that can assist you reach your objectives.

When applying for government grants for small business, the most important thing to consider is that your objectives match the objectives of the agency that is awarding the funding. Each federal and state government agency has specific missions and objectives and awards individuals and organizations that can help them reach these objectives, including:

• Stimulating the economy
• Creating jobs
• Advancing technology
• For research and development and these days, to find energy solutions using alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, ethanol, geothermal, wave and tidal energy.

The amounts of money awarded through government grant programs range according to your project needs. If you are able to justify the use of $10 000 (ten thousand), $50 000 (fifty thousand), $100 000 (one hundred thousand), $1 000 000 (one million) or several million dollars, then most agencies have the budget to award you what you need, again, providing you are able to help them reach their objectives.

Government grants are often referred to as ‘free money’, as in money you never have to repay. Although a grant is by definition money that is awarded to you, there are conditions to the use of ‘free government grant money’. Such as, you cannot go on a shopping spree or luxury vacations or buy sports cars with free government grants. You are expected to honor the objectives for which the money is intended for, such as build your business. Now once you are successful and your business is making you a lot of money, your profits are yours to spend as you wish, paying off debts, buying a larger home, a new car or taking your family on vacation. Many people I consult regarding government grants just give me a wish list of all the wonderful things they would do with the free money. Sometimes it sounds like what they would do if they won the lottery!

Getting a grant is not quite like winning the lottery, there are a few more steps involved, slightly more paper work, but the odds are much better when you take the right actions.

As part of a free service, you can now answer a few simple questions about how you would benefit from a government grant and receive a free consultation regarding the next steps to receive government grant money.

Get started now by filling out the form below as accurately as possible. Your information will remain confidential and will be reviewed by a qualified advisor who will contact you at your convenience within the next 24-48 hours.