Small Business Grants for Women
Women trying to start their own business and are looking for sources of funding should definitely take the time to look at business grants. Fortunately many of these grants are geared toward woman entrepreneurs that are starting or expanding their business. Private foundations and organizations offer grants for business funding so women can get a leg up and achieve their entrepreneurial goals and be successful in the small business world. These grants are a great way to help fund the business and they do not have to be repaid as long as all spending stipulations are followed according to the award rules.
If you are a woman looking for business funding then start with the internet. Using the internet you can find business grants specifically for woman entrepreneurs that are starting or already own their own company. The search process on the internet is a blessing and a curse all at the same time since using the internet is easy but, unfortunately the vast amount of information contained on it makes for long hours researching. Keep in mind too that many of these grants only require 51% ownership in the company so do not discard looking even if you are in a partnership business situation with a male counterpart, the business may still qualify.
The grant dollar amounts offered vary greatly from hundreds to thousands of dollars but, no matter the amount keep in mind that this is free money so applying for smaller amounts is still worth it.
Applying for the business grant takes time and persistence, there is the research to find eligible grants, seeing if they provide the type of business funding that fits your project, and taking the time to fill out the application. When applying include information about any uniqueness your business has, this is a strategic move in getting the business to stand out amongst all the other applicants.
Most foundations and organizations today ask for a short video pitch to add to your application, use this tool to present your business as a direct message to the review panel. It is a great way to get across the passion and drive you have about owning and running your own business and explaining your funding needs and goals. The judges that review that application will be more apt to remember a video then just a written application alone. It is a huge selling point for your application that should not be passed up.
The competition is fierce and the process is long, but you cannot get awarded the grant funding unless you try. You got to be in it to win it basically. Just remember as a woman entrepreneur there are a lot more options for business funding with grants than other small businesses.
