Small Business Grants for Minority Women

Small business grants for minority women are a better option in comparison to taking small business loans, as unlike loans, these grants do not have to be paid back. So, all minority women who are interested in starting/expanding their business, should consider applying for such grants offered by the state government, federal government and non-profit organizations. Given below is some useful information on how to find and apply for such small business financing grants.

How to Find Small Business Grants for Minority Women

Grants.gov Website
The first place to visit when looking for government grants for women who belong to the minority and are interested in starting their business is this website. This website provides complete information on the government agencies which provide grants. The website also gives information on the various kinds of grants a minority woman will be eligible for. An important thing to keep in mind while searching for grants is that they are not available throughout the year. So, you will have to keep your eyes open and check the various government agency websites for recent grant announcements from time to time.

Minority Business Development Agency
Get in touch with MBDA i.e. Minority Business Development Agency. MBDA is a federal agency set up by the U.S. Department of Commerce to aid in the development and growth of the minority owned businesses. MBDA functions through a network of business centers as well as strategic partners throughout America. MBDA offers federal small business grants for minority women however there may be some conditions laid to give the grants. For example, government grants may be given only if businesses are opened in a specific location or if only a certain type of business is started. To know in detail about their programs and grants, log on to the official MBDA website.

Small Business Administration
There are a number of Women Business Centers (WBC) established by the Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) throughout United States. These centers provide technical, managerial and all other kinds of counseling and help to women who belong to socially disadvantaged classes who are interested in starting their own business. You can visit one of these women business centers or simply log on to the official website of small business administration to know about the various small business grants for women.

Non- Profit Foundations
There are certain non- profit organizations as well which provide small business grants for women and minorities. Such non-profit organizations in turn get grants from the federal government which they pass onto the needy people of the society for starting a business. So, search the Internet or get in touch with such non-profit organizations and know about their funding programs.

How to Apply Small Business Grants for Minority Women

While applying for small business grants for minorities, make sure that you have a well written business plan as well as a grant proposal. A business plan should include the benefits of starting the business, how the business will make money, who will be its clients, what products/services it will manufacture, etc. In case you feel that you do not have the required skills to frame a business plan, consider hiring a professional to do the job.

Along with the application for minority women business grants, provide a certificate that the business is/will be woman owned. This certification will help you to get government contracts in the future. To get this certification, get in touch with National Women's Business Owners Corporation or Women's Business Enterprise National Council.

In order to ensure that your application for small business grants for minority women is approved quickly, there are a number of things that you can do. Firstly, in your business plan, mention how your business will help the community. For example, write about the jobs that it will create in the community or how you will provide your office space for a school in the evening. Secondly, proofread your application and business plan thoroughly. The information provided should be accurate and there should be no spelling mistakes. If you keep these tips in mind, your chances of getting a grant will certainly improve. Best of Luck!