Women and minorities are two sections of the society who are often marginalized and, in general, have a tough time garnering support for their ventures. When single women try building their own businesses or when people from minorities decide to set up a business, they often find it difficult due to problems in raising finance in particular. The reason for marginalization are many including social bias and other vested interests. In such a scenario, they can look forward to small business grants provided by government, non-governmental organizations and other private institutions.
Starting a business is never a simple task and, if you are a single woman or a person from a minority community, the odds of getting that business plan into reality are stacked even higher. However there are specially planned small business grants or endowments for women and minority sections of society that can help you out financially at the start. They are just the kind of financial stimulus that you need for a business venture of any kind.
Before you even begin for a search for such grants, you need to have a clear business plan in place which details the requirements of your business and goals you intend to achieve. With a clear business plan in front, you know what kind of grant you are looking for and what is the size of monetary boost that you need. That will make your search easier.
Finding Business Grants
Whatever be the nature of your business or enterprise, there are variety of grants in the form of subsidies and financial packages. How do you look for grants? There are various ways of accessing information about such grants. Here are some ways in which you can find the grants which you need:
- Online Search: There are many sites like 'Grants.gov' and other sites devoted to listing of business grants in various fields. Some even have an online application system, which makes it easier to find what you are looking for.
- Chambers of Commerce: Chambers of commerce and trade councils are places where you can get leads for business grants.
- State Government Grants: Many state government level policies and funding plans include an incentive in the form of grants. Inquire in your closest government county offices for information.
- Federal Grants: Federal grants aimed at promoting entrepreneurship spirit in minorities and women amount to billions of dollars. Gather information about federal grants specific to your type of business.
- NGOs: Your third information source is mentors that you may find in NGOs devoted to helping minorities and single women.
Once you narrow down your search and find some of the business grant offered for which you stand eligible, it is time you made your case and applied for it. There are certain registrations or certificates that might help in getting your application approved. If you are a woman and especially a minority woman, then you must get your business registered with 'Women's Business Enterprise National Council'. They will certify your business as woman owned and that certification might help you in getting some specific government grants. Certain government contracts can be acquired by minority women if they register themselves with the 'Central Contractor Registration'.
Most business granting institutions require applications in specific formats along with requisite documents for checking authenticity. Make sure that you fill in all the information required correctly and supply attested copies of requisite documents. Some institutions offering business grants may also require you to give a presentation, detailing your business plan. Make a crisp and to the point presentation that underlines your financial needs and budgeting. Apply for as many options as possible, which will increase your chances of getting one.
Be assured that there is help out there for people, who are willing to work hard. Do not give up on your business ventures just because some people turn their backs on you. The enterprising spirit in you need not be dampened by a few rejections. You can certainly benefit from small business grants and prosper in the land of opportunities.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar