Start-up business funds for minority women are available from a variety of sources.
Grants are available from a variety of sources for women, and in particular minority women, to start up their own small businesses. Start-up funding can be located from a variety of sources and you may apply for more than one type of grant. In most cases, the grant awarding body will wish to see a full business plan and financial plan for the proposed small business.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants
The SBA can help with start-up funding for women-owned businesses. Those seeking financial assistance should fill out Form SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance. In addition, the SBA offers Women's Business Centers (WBCs) around the country. The WBCs provide counseling and state, local and private grant information to women wishing to start up their own for-profit or non-profit small businesses.
SBA Women's Business Center Grants
Grants are available for women wishing to set up Women's Business Centers to help train other women in the business skills they need to open their own businesses. Grants can be applied for through the SBA Web site.
Small Business Administration SBIR and STTR Programs
The SBA offers two grant programs which administer Federal grants earmarked for research and development, SBIR and STTR. For each type of grant, the small business would agree to undertake scientific or technological research which would match the government's stated criteria, objectives and goals. To qualify for a grant, the project should have the potential for very high commercial success once it is completed.
Federal Grant Programs
Grant.gov lists grant available from over 35 government agencies. Many of the grants give preferential treatment to women-owned and minority businesses, which are classified as disadvantaged businesses. Grants will usually be offered for specific projects to be undertaken, but there are also grants for general categories of start ups and small business owners, such as women's, minority-owned or rural-based businesses. Also, consult the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for other federal grant opportunities.
State Grants
Business.gov is the U.S. Government's special Web site for businesses seeking start-up and other kinds of business funding. You can search for all the programs available to women and minority-owned businesses available in your state through their special search engine. To apply for the grants listed, be sure to read the special criteria and follow their application procedures carefully.
Idea Caf
Start up grants of $1,000 are available for worthy candidates for their innovative business ideas through the Idea Caf Small Business Grant Center. The application can be made once you sign up at the Web site.
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