There are several grants available for women. The federal government has 26 agencies for providing grants. These grants are given in the fields of healthcare, education, research and development and many other projects. Grants for women are available for starting new business as well as to develop existing business. The 26 grant providing agencies are meant to serve women entrepreneurs in any field.
Normally an existing business by women gets up to $5,000 as grant for development. The grants are meant for purchasing new equipments and starting new product lines. Market expansion and many other categories are also eligible for grants. But it must be borne in mind that a separate application is to be made for grants in each category.
The grants for new businesses range from $100 to $4,000. The businesses by women encouraged are limited and are small in size. Service oriented businesses and network marketing are generally supported. Grants are given to women entrepreneurs who are engaged in agriculture are commerce also.
There are some websites which help who are already in business or intend to start a business. The ladiesclub.com is one of them. They help you find the right type of sources from where you can get grants. The service is free for women in business. To get this facility you only have to sign up and become a member.
The Count Me In organization is one which help exclusively women. It is not the business women alone that they help. Women who need funds to further their education are also within their purview. They finance women who want to go for college education with grants and loans. The women entrepreneurs can get loans and minority grants up to $10,000.
The Women’s Funding Network is an organization for the empowerment of women. They raise funds from willing individual and corporate donors. The Women’s Funding Network targets businesswomen to give help in the form of grants.
The womansbusinessgrants.com gives pioneering women in business grants from $100 to $4,000. For the women’s businesses already on stream the grant may go up to $6,000. The website provides information on how to make the applications for grants.
The Small Business Administration is a government agency which provides information on how to run business as well as grants to women in business. They have professional counselors who are competent to advise businesswomen to tackle any obstacles they may face.
The organization called Financial Women International does not provide any grants. They extend their help in the form of providing information on business opportunities, sharing database and career development programs.
While applying for a state funded grant it is better to get the help of a professional accountant because you will have to answer questions on tax returns.
Generally the grants obtained by women in the US are comparatively low. The reason is that their requirements of funds are very low. They get involved only in small businesses, often limiting the total investment below $250,000.
