Where's the most reliable place to get a small business grant?

Donte Schoenhals: 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... , 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 Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/New Mexico Women's Foundation http://ww! w.nmwf.org/guidelines.htmlEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.htm..."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 busines! ses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_B...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 entrepreneursFor private foundation grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants databases http://gtionline.fdncenter.org ....Show more

Lourie Mcroberts: Some of the online grant sites are scams. There are a few that are valid and in fact do help you. You just have to realize that none of the! m guarantee you grants . These programs primarily streamline the process for you and give you the tools and information you need to find the grants you are eligible for and what you need to do to apply for them and improve your chances for success in receiving the grantsHere's a good site that breaks down the ones that work.http://TopGrantPrograms.com...Show more

Joellen Zorrilla: Some places will send you a cd and help about getting grants for free. Try herehttp://federal-grant-applications.onthewebs.comor hit up google and look for .gov sites.

Rosie Travino: this is suppose to be a good place