How+can+we+get+the+money???

http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm

But, is there really free money out there for small and home-based businesses? The answer is "Yes" and "No."

There are hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding available free to entrepreneurs and small business owners. These grant monies come from the government, non-governmental organizations, and private institutions. The grant amount ranges from $5,000 up to some in the six figures. Best of all, absolutely none of them requires a pay back. You, too may have seen or read advertising in this regard.

However, the myth of "free money" intended for starting or expanding a small business needs to be dispelled.

Most funding institutions do not provide grants or "free money" for starting or developing a business. The Small Business Administration, Bank of America Foundation, and other grant funding sources do not give capital to start a day care or clothing design business, etc.. Nor do they provide grants to individuals who will use the proceeds to start their own "for profit" small business.

Rather, funding organizations generally target their assistance towards specific groups, types of organizations or activities. The grants provided by SBA are normally given to nonprofits or educational institutions. The Bank of America Foundation considers charitable requests from nonprofit organizations in geographic areas where the company has a business presence. These funding institutions provide funds mostly in a "project" context, consistent with their organization's goals and objectives.

There are a few grant sources that provide money directly to individuals. However, the use of the grant proceeds must be consistent with the objectives of the funding institution. Since most grants are project-based, many funding organizations require that the applicant provide counterpart funding. Grants may cover only a fraction of the project cost; very rarely do grants cover 100% of the total cost.

Take for example the Indian Grant Program given by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This program gives up to $100,000 to American Indian individuals. However, the grant stipulates that the funds must be used for "development of profit-oriented businesses that will have positive economic impact on Indian Reservation." Furthermore, the grant must be no more than 25 percent of project costs - meaning that the individual must provide 75 percent counterpart money for the project.

Resources on Grants

Entrepreneurs and would-be business owners seeking grant funding for a project can check out the following books and web sites in the US and other countries. Note that some of the sites are free, while others require subscription.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/blsba.htm

No grants, but plenty of free help The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans. [Many States DO offer small business grants to individuals.]

["SBA does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses. SBA's grant programs generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments in an effort to expand and enhance small business technical and financial assistance." -- Source: SBA]

The "SBA" is the U.S. Small Business Administration. Since 1953, the SBA has helped thousands of Americans form small businesses. Today. SBA offices in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico assist with planning, financing, training and advocacy for small firms. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide.

Are small businesses really worth it? Why is the U.S. government interested in helping small business? America's 25 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation's gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.

Can the SBA help you? If your business is or will be independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field, and meets the maximum business size standards required, then yes, the SBA can help you.

• Also visit these two SBA sites for information on special programs, now available for a limited time - New Markets Venture Capital Program and BusinessLINC Program Announcement.


 * To day i looked up some grants for our business that we are trying to get started and i stronly think that i found some winners,