| Free money! Receive up to $25,000 that never | | | | Administration. They've got a great Website |
| has to be paid back -- Guaranteed! Get a | | | | that has lots of information to get you |
| grant to start your own business today!If | | | | started. You can even take free online |
| you're a small business owner, or you've | | | | classes to learn how to write -- or tweak -- |
| always dreamed of starting your own business, | | | | your business plan.After that, start locally. |
| you've probably run across ads like these. | | | | Check with your own Small Business |
| Companies that "guarantee" you'll get a grant | | | | Development Center, Chamber of Commerce or, |
| to start your own business that never has to | | | | if you're in a rural area, Association of |
| be paid back. Purchase their product, and | | | | Government office. If there are small |
| they'll give you the "secrets" to making all | | | | business grants available in your area, these |
| your money troubles go away.Have you ever | | | | are the experts who will know about |
| wondered if all the hype is true? Can you | | | | them.Don't forget about your local library. |
| really get free cash to start or expand your | | | | The librarian in charge of the research |
| business? Before you spend your hard-earned | | | | section is very knowledgeable, and can |
| money on what could turn out to be nothing | | | | provide you with a wealth of materials.It's |
| more than a list of names and addresses (that | | | | important to keep an open mind and think |
| you can actually get for free in the Internet | | | | outside the box when you're looking for |
| by the way), keep reading to learn the truth | | | | grants. Not all grants come in the form of |
| about grants for individuals and business | | | | cold, hard cash. You might be able to find |
| start-ups.First of all, what is a grant?A | | | | funding that will pay for the training you |
| grant is a sum of money that is used for a | | | | need, business classes or get a scholarship |
| specific purpose. Grants are given away by | | | | to go to your local community college.Your |
| charitable organizations called foundations, | | | | local Small Business Development Center may |
| and their sole purpose is to give away that | | | | operate a "small business incubation center" |
| money.In addition, the U.S. Federal | | | | and can provide you with low-cost office |
| government also gives away billions of | | | | space that includes telephone lines, use of |
| dollars of grant money every year for many | | | | office equipment, meeting rooms and someone |
| reasons -- including to support and encourage | | | | to answer calls and take messages.If you need |
| economic development and small business | | | | help with advertising or marketing your |
| growth, which is where you come in.So what's | | | | products or services, look to larger |
| the catch? (You knew there had to be a catch, | | | | corporations, your local chamber of commerce |
| right? I mean, if it was that easy, every new | | | | or your city's economic development office. |
| business out there would be starting out in | | | | They may offer co-op advertising programs, |
| the black!)Most corporations, foundations and | | | | reduced printing costs on specific |
| government agencies ONLY give grant money to | | | | advertising campaigns, and other resources |
| nonprofit organizations that have a 501(c)(3) | | | | for getting your name out to your target |
| designation from the IRS.The most common | | | | market. If you sell products for nationwide |
| grants given to individuals are in the form | | | | companies, check to see if there are |
| of scholarships.So, are there any grants | | | | advertising incentives where they'll help to |
| available to you as a small business owner? | | | | pay for your advertising costs.If you're a |
| Yes. Is somebody just waiting to hand you a | | | | member of a professional or trade |
| check for $25,000? No. In fact, you may never | | | | organization, see if they offer programs. |
| actually see the cash. But that doesn't mean | | | | Check the Internet. You can find grant |
| you can't take advantage of all the programs | | | | information from the federal government |
| that are out there -- and that could add up | | | | online. The foundation center is another |
| to a lot more than $25,000. You just have to | | | | great resource with an interactive database. |
| know where to look and what to ask for.Here's | | | | Women should utilize women's organizations |
| how it works. First of all, be prepared. | | | | and the women's business centers.You can |
| Finding a grant is going to take some work on | | | | check the foundation center online for a very |
| your part. You'll want to set up a system for | | | | comprehensive listing of foundations and the |
| keeping the information organized. You can | | | | grants they offer. Again...remember that most |
| create a paper system with files and a | | | | foundations DON'T give grants to individuals, |
| calendar, of do it on your computer. You're | | | | so don't waste a lot of time looking at the |
| going to want to separate your research into | | | | foundations themselves. Instead, LOOK FOR THE |
| classifications that make sense for your | | | | NONPROFIT organizations they have give grants |
| business, plus you'll need to keep track of | | | | to! You're looking specifically for economic |
| who's giving what away and the corresponding | | | | or community development grants.That's you'll |
| deadlines.Next, you'll have to do some | | | | actually be able to access whatever grants, |
| research to find what programs are available | | | | services and resources are available, because |
| in your area, and what the guidelines are. | | | | the nonprofit organizations are the ones who |
| Then you'll have to do some deeper research, | | | | work with indidivuals and provide "service |
| to eliminate the ones you don't qualify for. | | | | delivery."To find out who is getting the |
| (Most grants have some type of restrictions | | | | money, check the foundations 990 tax forms, |
| -- some are geographic, some are targeted | | | | which are usually available online. That will |
| towards specific groups, some are for | | | | tell you which nonprofit organizations to |
| specific types of businesses, etc.)And the | | | | contact.Keep a file of all the possibilities, |
| third and final step will be to apply for the | | | | and hone your research to the sources that |
| grants you qualify for and need. (For a small | | | | provide the best fit for your needs.There are |
| business grant, what's required is usually a | | | | resources out there, if you're willing to |
| well written business plan).So how do you get | | | | spend the time looking for them. Keep an open |
| started? Before you start looking for grant | | | | mind, be willing to think outside the box, |
| money, you need to figure out exactly what | | | | and never give up!Cheryl Antier is the |
| you're looking for. What exactly do you need | | | | President/CEO of Dream Weaver Enterprises, a |
| to take your business to the next level. This | | | | business and fundraising consulting company. |
| will not only help you to be more focused on | | | | MAPS (Microenterprise Answers to your |
| your business goals, but it will give you a | | | | Personal Success) was started as a way for |
| better idea of where to start looking and | | | | her to give something back to other women, |
| save you time in the long run.For example, do | | | | because of the blessings she's received in |
| you need training? Maybe you've realized you | | | | her life. MAPS offers a free monthly ezine |
| need to learn how to use a computer, learn to | | | | called "Directions". Subscribing is easy and |
| build your own Web site, or master a specific | | | | you can unsubcribe at any time with a simple |
| program such as word or excel.What about | | | | click of your mouse. Your privacy is |
| technical assistance? Are you trying to learn | | | | important, so your information will NEVER be |
| a new process or need to learn how to use | | | | shared. "Directions" does all the research |
| specific equipment?Do you need assistive | | | | for you -- find out about the latest |
| technology because of a disability?Do you | | | | programs, grants and funding opportunities in |
| need cash to purchase equipment and | | | | your area -- and know BEFORE you apply if you |
| supplies?Make a list of exactly what it is | | | | qualify. NEVER be taken in again by a con |
| you need, and prioritize it. Figure out a | | | | artist. Monthly ALERTS will warn you about |
| schedule of when you need to have it. Create | | | | scams. Read reviews of the latest programs, |
| a basic budget based on how much what you | | | | books and software that can help you succeed. |
| need would cost if you had to pay for it out | | | | Each issue is jampacked with information |
| of pocket. Also note down where, in your | | | | about a single topic, so you can learn what |
| local area, you can find what you need.Now | | | | you need to know quickly and easily. Sign up |
| it's time to start looking for your grant. A | | | | today -- it's FREE! |
| good place to start is the Small Business | | | | |