Business Start Up Grants For Your Non-Profit BusinessBusiness start up grants only support one type of business. "...grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments..." If you are a for-profit business you must obtain financing to run your business. A non-profit business provides a valuable service for society
"...being an entreprenuer is not just about making money, but providing service for the community..." If you are providing a service is it in a non-profit type of business? If so have you researched business start up grants? As a non-profit business you could obtain funds to help your business. These type of funds are called grants. Certain organizations provide the funds for grants. To obtain a grant a person needs to submit an application to the grant organization. The steps in the grant process are the following: 1. Find an organization and the grant that they will provide. You can find information about grants at the following web sites:
Government Grants Step 1 - Find the Grant There are many places to find information about grants for non-profit organizations. One place to find information is at the following web site:
SBA Grant Information
Step 2 - Write the Grant You can have someone write the grant. You can also take a course to learn how to write a grant. However your grant is written it should contain a basic structure. Grant writer and trainer Beverly Santicola mentions the following Key Components of a Grant Proposal: -Mission Statement:This is a short, carefully worded phrase which is the theme of the organization which will use the grant. -History of Organization:This is the chronological events of how the business was formed. -Organization Information:This lists the employees, the market that is served, and recognition for past successes. -Problem/Need Statement:A short statement or story that describes the challenge that occurs in the environment that the grant is intended to correct. The goal is not to discuss the solution but to discuss the problem. This story touches the human element of the challenge. -Program Plan:This is a list of activities that when tied to the problem presents the solution to the problem. -Table of Goals and Objectives:Goals are the outcome you wish to achieve. Objectives are the measureable plans you will use to achieve the goals. -Evaluation:This is a statement of how the organization plans to measure the success of the goals and objectives. It will also describe how the organization will share this success with others. -Project Budget/Operating Budget:This is a detailed lists of the costs or anticipated costs for operating the agency. -Financial Audit/990:This is a report to the IRS of the income receipts from nonprofit grants and other income and disbursements of your organization. -List of Board of Directors:These are people who oversee the non-profit organization. -Copy of 501(c)3 status:This is the documentation used when the organization was formed as a not-for-profit organization. Once the grant is written a cover letter, the letter of inquiry, is submitted with any additional paperwork the grantor requires. Step 3 - Receive grant funds Much of the success or failure to receive a grant is dependent on the documentation that is produced in the grant proposal. That is why it is important to receive proper training in writing grants or have a professional write the grant for you. How have you progressed so far in your business journey? If you made it this far you've made great progress. However there may be more challenges in the journey. Has the journey been worth it?!!!
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