I am a female small business owner and I don't know where or how to find grants to help me,can anyone help?

You stand a greater chance of getting a government-guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/financing than a government grant. Read the SBA Financing page to learn about criteria needed for borrowing

It is hard to find grants to start or expand a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business.

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.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.htm...

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"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."

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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_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 entrepreneurs

It relatively all is dependent upon what you desire the provide for. Is it for support establishing a trade or do you desire a provide for an already situated trade? There's no person position that simply lists all presents for all matters - which jogs my memory - you must realize that you do not routinely get a provide due to the fact you must practice for it first. With that being mentioned - relying on what you desire the provide for - you'll be able to begin with watching on the internet site of the state that the trade is in. Sometimes places will begin provide systems to support with the financial progress of the discipline - serving to the discipline to develop.... But relatively it could be too difficult to reply with out understanding what you desire the provide for?

The previous sites are good.

One other is SCORE, affiliated with the SBA, it's retired executives who help small biz owners get started. They might not help you find a grant (I just don't know) but they will help you in countless other ways.

Good luck. Remember the carpenter's rule (measure twice, cut once) translates to business (plan twice, execute once).

Scott

Check out this governmental website: