GrantStation.Com
WRITING A SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION
To write a successful grant application for FREE
MONEY it should be well planned. You should be familiar with exactly
how a particular agency prefers to have their grant proposals completed.
If you have to prior experience in writing grant proposals, this is another
area where your State Small Business Development Centers can help.
Judith Prebyl "The
Body, Heart & Soul of Grant Writing!" This
is the first place to visit if you want to learn about grant writing!
Count Me In for Women’s Economic
Independence is a new organization that makes small business loans and
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Grants.Gov
The Electronic Storefront for Federal Grants - Want to know what Federal grants are available and how to apply for them? This is the place to get all the information you'll need to go after federal money for your organization. Definitely worth a look.
Venture Funding for Women Entrepreneurs Report - focuses specifically
on private companies with female entrepreneurs that have successfully raised capital.
BizFin.Com
This website provides a platform for entrepreneurs to locate capital for deals; buy and sell companies; locate merger partners; transact a reverse merger; advertise business products and services; locate consultants to help close deals; introduce experienced corporate finance people, investment bankers and dealmakers.
Money & Venture Capital: SBA
- Venture Capital | Market
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Networking: Women.Future
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How
to find major sources of funding
GrantsBiz
SBA
Site for Local Investment Resource Information
STATE
WOMEN BUSINESS
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS
Over
9,000 Sources of US Government Grants, Loans and Assistance for the Entrepreneur
and Small Business Owner! Complete with Addresses
Capital
Funding Search Engine
Big
Business Web -
Grant
Resource Page
Venture
Capital Resource Library
SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Small business investment companies can provide your business
with the capital it needs by giving you a free loan, making a stock investment in your
business; or offering a combination of the two. But before you try to seek investor's
financial input consider the following:
Checklist for Evaluating Your Business Project or Investor Venture
What are some of the key decision factors and considerations that you need to take into account before launching your own business project or through a Investor relationship? Following are five critical questions that should help facilitate the decision making process for you.
How Real is the Market?
1. Is there a demonstrated need/want for the product or service? * Kind of need/want * Timing of need/want * Competing ways to satisfy need/want
2. Can the customer buy the product or service? * Structure of the market * Market size and potential * Availability of funds for purchase
3. Will the customer buy the product or service? * Priority * Product awareness * Perceived benefits/risks * Future expectations * Price vs. benefits
How Real is the Product?
1. Is there a product idea? * Ways to satisfy identified markets * Feasibility * Acceptability * State of the Art
2. Can it be made? * Designed * Developed * Tested * Produced * Inspected * Distributed * installed * Serviced
3. Will it satisfy the market? * Design/Performance Features * Cost * Unit cost vs. volume * Availability.
Can the Product be Competitive?
1. On design/performance features? * Quality * Utility * Reliability * Serviceability * Style * Color * Safety * Uniqueness
2. On promotion? * Customer and Trade Advertising * Packaging * Technical services * Sales Promotion
3. Is the price right? * Cost * Pricing Policies * Terms & Conditions * Competition * Other Price Considerations
4. Is the timing Right? * Product Introduction * Design Changes * Sales Campaigns * Price Changes
Can the Company be Competitive?
1. In Engineering/Production * Experience Capabilities * Plant Locations * Processes/Patents * Unique Ideas
2. In Sales/Distribution * Relation to Present Customers * Distributor/Dealer Network * New Marketing Techniques
3. In Management * Experience * Organization * Financial Strength * New Management Approaches * Commitment
4. In Other Considerations * Past Performance * General Reputation * Present Market Position
Will the Project be Profitable?
1. Can Your Company Afford the Investment? * Cash Flow Considerations * Investment and Timing * Sales and Timing * Net Cash Flow
2. Is the Return Adequate? * Absolute Profit * Return on Investment (ROI) * Relative/Compared to Other Investments
3. Is the Risk Acceptable? * What Can Go Wrong? * How Likely? * How Serious? * What Can Be Done? * Uncertainties
Small business investment companies are in the business
of making money just like any other usiness. The biggest difference between
them and another investor is:
1) They are privately managed firms who are licensed and
partially financed by the federal government's Small Business Administration.
2) All of its transactions are regulated by the government.
3) Their success depends on the growth and profits of
companies they own stock in. They often give money in exchange for stocks.
4) Their loans usually carry lower interest rates than
commercial banks.
5) Straight loans repayments are carried over a longer
period of time.
6) Most businesses are eligible, especially if they are
50% minority owned.
For a complete listing of the thousands of Small Business
Investment Companies, visit your local library and ask for the SBIC Catalog.
Study the catalog and note the companies that specialize in your area of
interest. Then write them and request more information on what they have
to offer.
WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FREE MONEY GRANTOR AGENCY
Once you decide which government agency you want FREE
MONEY from, contact them and ask for a grant application kit. Get to know
some of the grantor agency personnel. Experts love to talk about their
programs, so ask for advice, suggestions, and criticisms about your proposed
project.
In most cases, the more an agency knows about your grant
proposal, the better your chances will be of getting support from the personnel
who ultimately approve your FREE MONEY request.
Often it is a grantor's advantage to send their grant
proposal summary to an agency official they have developed a contact relationship
with, and ask them to review and return it to you with their comments.
Be certain this approach is acceptable with your agency ontact. You wouldn't
want a first draft mistakenly processed before it was finished.
Making a personal visit to the agency's office in your
area is also important. Face to face contact will help you understand eligibility
requirements, deadlines, maximum FREE MONEY amounts you can apply for,
and other details you want to know about. You can also utilize an agency's
library and determine through books, brochures, and conversation if there
are other agencies you could apply to for FREE MONEY. There is nothing
that says you can't apply for two, three, or more FREE MONEY grants
at one time!
GRANT MONEY FOR WOMEN'S ENTERPRISES:
Up to $200,000 dollar grants are
warded to women in business annually. Contact the Office of Women's Business
wnership, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW, Washington,
DC 20416.
CFOL.Com
World's Largest Business
Finance Search Engine
The
purpose of DoD's SBIR and STTR programs is to harness the innovative talents
of our nation's small technology companies for U.S. military and economic
strength. DoD's SBIR program funds early-stage R&D projects at
small technology companies -- projects which serve a DoD need and have
the potential for commercialization in private sector and/or military markets.
The program, funded at approximately $540 million in FY 2000, is part of
a larger ($1.1 billion) federal SBIR program administered by ten federal
agencies. In 1992, Congress established the STTR pilot program. STTR is
similar in structure to SBIR but funds cooperative R&D projects involving
a small business and a research institution (i.e., university, federally-funded
R&D center, or nonprofit research institution). (DoD STTR solicitation
2000 was publicly released on this Web Site on January 4, 2000, and will
begin accepting proposals on March 1.) The purpose of STTR is to
create, for the first time, an effective vehicle for moving ideas from
our nation's research institutions to the market, where they can benefit
both private sector and military customers. DoD's STTR program, funded
at $33 million in fiscal year 1999, is part of a larger ($60 million) federal
STTR program administered by five federal agencies. DoD issues one STTR
research solicitation each year.
Grants,
Loans: F M R Home
Comprehensive
guide to all U.S. government funding programs. Recommended by American
Library Association, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
GrantsFree.Com
(charge a membership fee) This
is given only as a resource. Do your research before paying for such
services.
Women
(grants, loans)
Comprehensive
guide to U.S. federal government funding - recommended by American Library
Association, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Grants,
Funding, Loans: FEDERAL MONEY RETRIEVER/Endorsements
Search
software and database covering all federal funding programs. Printed manual
explains the basics of grantwriting and the procedures for obtaining government
grants and loans.
Minority
Finance
To promote economic and developmental
activities for the benefit of "Backward Sections" amongst the Minorities,
preference being given to the occupational groups and women;
SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
Every state has Small Business Development
Centers who can match you up with the right FREE MONEY grant program. All
development centers offer free counseling to anyone wishing to start or
expand a business. Their services are varied but include: FREE seminars,
workshops, business planning, feasibility studies, marketing research,
management analysis, sales technique, financing, exporting, inventory control,
accounting, record keeping, and grant applications. Whatever your questions
about FREE MONEY grants or starting a business, refer to your telephone
directory under State Offices and contact your Small Business Development
Center.
ESTABLISH YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Do some networking and maintain
continuous contact with people who can gather information for you about
FREE MONEY GRANTS. Nothing can be substituted for personal contact with
the decision makers who are in charge of grant programs. Learn to use your
personal influence (and theirs) to achieve your goals.
The U.S. Government Printing Office
maintains a wealth of information that people never take dvantage of! Write
to them and ask for a copy of the "U.S. Government Directory" and ask for
a list of books, brochures, and documents that covers your field of interest.
Tell them you are especially interested in obtaining information about
FREE FEDERAL MONEY that's available to private citizens.
Remember, "FREE FEDERAL MONEY" doesn't
mean you have to travel to Washington, DC. It just means finding out where
the agencies are within your own states and local governments. The contacts
you want to make may only be minutes away.
BUSINESS CONSULTING: Free management advice is offered
on almost every business subject by the Department of Economic Development
to minimize new business start-up management costs.
BUSINESS SITE SELECTION: State hired specialists are available
to assist new entrepreneurs lect the best possible location for their new
business.
MANAGEMENT TRAINING: Most states will assign specialists
to work with a ew business with one-on-one management training.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING ASSISTANCE: This program provides FREE
MONEY to train employees. FREE MONEY is also available to send employees
to school.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GRANTS: FREE MONEY is available
to attract high-tech related companies.
PROGRAM CONSULTANTS: States have highly trained management
consultants who will locate Federal Grant Programs and help you through
the application Process.
FORMS & DOCUMENTS: State professionals will help a
new business owner apply for permits, licenses, or any other legal document
a business may require.
VENTURE CAPITAL FINANCING: This method can provide FREE
MONEY in the sense you wouldn't have to pay it back. You would, however,
probably have to give up part of the ownership of your business in
order to receive financing. Most states have their own venture capital
finance terms that invest in high risk businesses.
GETTING FREE MONEY FROM VENTURE CAPITAL SOURCES
A venture capital company is another source for FREE MONEY
in financing our business plans. t since they are willing to assume some
risk by investing in your business, they also expect some equity in the
business itself.
Venture capital companies invest in projects they feel
will be successful and bring a return on their investment. If you are interested
in asking a venture capital company to invest in your business refer to
your telephone directory under Venture Capital Companies or Investment
Companies, and contact those who are in the same area you want to start
your project in.
U.S. Department of
Education's Online Library - Money Matters
This Website contains Department of Education's guidelines,
regulations, and Federal Register documents related to writing grant proposals
and receiving funds. Also people interested in student financial assistance
or the Department of Education budget sh ould look for information here.
FedWorld Information Network
Entering the FedWorld File Libraries with more than 15,000
files gives you access to a collection of links to numerous federal bulletin
boards, including the Department of Education's Grant's database.
Foundation Center
The Foundation Center is an independent nonprofit information
clearinghouse established in 1956. The Center's mission is to foster public
understanding of the foundation field by collecting, organizing, analyzing,
and disseminating information on foundations, corporate giving, and related
subjects. The audiences that call on the Center's resources include grantseekers,
grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF)
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is a private, philanthropic
foundation created in 1940 as a vehicle through which the five sons and
daughter of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., could share a source of advice and
research on charitable activities and combine some of their philanthropies
to better effect. In 1995, the foundation made 403 grants and appropriations
totaling approximately $12 million.
GRANT MONEY FOR BUSINESSES IN POOR ECONOMIC AREAS: Contact
the Economic Adjustment Division, Director, Economic Development Administration,
Herbert Hoover Bldg., Rm. H7217, Washington, DC 20230.
GRANT MONEY FOR MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Grants
are awarded up to $2 million dollars to stimulate growth.
Contact the Minority Business
Development Agency,
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
FREE MONEY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED
BUSINESSES:
Management and technical assistance is provided free to
disadvantaged businesses.
Contact the Associate Administrator for Small Business
1441 L Street,
NW, Rm. 602,
Washington, DC 20416.
GRANT MONEY FOR INVESTORS IN RENTAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS
WHO ARE IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE:
Contact the Chief, Program Support Branch, Management
Operations Division, Office of Multi-Family Housing Management, Department
of Housing and Development, Washington, DC 20420.
GRANT MONEY FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS WHO RENT TO ELDERLY
OR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE: Contact the Director, Office of Multi-Family Housing
Management, ept. of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410.
GRANT MONEY FOR INDIAN-OWNED BUSINESSES: Contact the office
of Tribal Services, ureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS #4603-MIB,
Washington, DC 20240.
FREE STATE GRANT MONEY
There simply isn't enough room in this report to begin
listing all the FREE MONEY programs that are available from the federal
and state governments. We can tell you however, the general types of programs
that are available and where to begin.
As you contact different agencies for grant money, learn
not to accept "no" as a final answer. There are so many new programs being
offered each year that often an agency's own employees won't be aware they
are offering the one you ask about. If being persistent doesn't help, get
in touch with your ongressman and let them track down a program that meets
your needs.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH STATE AND FEDERAL
AGENCIES
FREE MONEY: Usually through direct grants that do not
have to be paid ack.
MINORITIES & WOMEN: FREE MONEY grants are available
in most states for women or minorities who want to start a business.
LOW INTEREST LOANS: A state may raise money through industrial
revenue bonds to buy your fixed-asset equipment. The public, which invests
in these bonds, do not pay taxes on the earned interest. When a low interest
loan is granted, the states does not guarantee that investors will get
their money back if the business fails. If a state issues a general obligation
bond, a public investment is then guaranteed. The states will also make
direct loans at low interest, or even co-sign a commercial bank loan. If
a state co-signs a loan for you, it may subsidize your interest and reduce an already low-interest rate lower
yet.
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