Im in St. Louis MissouriHow do I find government grants for a new small business owned by a woman? I am wanting to start a business in the next year or two but much of it would depend on how much money I could get from the govt or other places. I know it will happen to a point but I want to try to stay as much out of debt as possible so im not digging myself out of a hole and can maybe start actually earning money before the 5 year mark. How do I learn about and apply for these grants. I know they are out there but where?
      Answer1:For grant information:http://www.grants.govhttp://www.sba.gov/And for advice about starting up a new business:http://www.score.org/index.html
      Answer2:It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business. One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/... , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups -- minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples includeIowa Womens Foundation http://www.iawf.org/New Mexico Womens Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.htmlEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CO...------------------------------------"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."------------------------------------Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERES NONE.http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALO...Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Womens Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create womens business center that will train women entrepreneurs