Posted by Answers Community
I am looking for a grant writing professional to assist me in obtaining a grant for debt relief or business start-up, or both if at all possible. I have business plans and many ideas; I just cannot obtain financing from banks, etc because of my credit. The reason my credit is poor is because my mother lost her job after 27 years due to downsizing and we lost our house and one of our vehicles. 2007 was NOT a good year for us. I am sure everyone has their problems and I apologize to anyone who unwilling lost their home, it is extremely hard especially after living there for 20+ years; it is also hard to find a decent place to rent with poor credit. My credit is poor trying to help my mother which I do NOT regret, yet we are kind of stuck right now. I appreciate any assistance you can give me and please do not post negative answers I have had enough people try and tell me what I can and can't do with my life. Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from someone who can help soon.
Tags: banks, business plans, debt relief, decent place, downsizing, good year, job, life thanks, negative answers, poor credit, thanks for your time
This entry was posted and filed under Debt.
You are better off finding a second job or other sources of funds, than wasting your time looking for a grant professional to do this for you
I am sorry but there is no such thing as grant for debt relief — otherwise, everyone with debt will just go to the government and request for grant
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/sbir/index.html , 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 include
Iowa Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/
New Mexico Women's Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html
Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html
"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 — THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show
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 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs