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Alternative Sources for Funding Your Small Business
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October 31, 2022
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Alternative Sources for Funding Your Small Business

As we begin, we want to start with some more traditional sources of funding as well as some newer web-based options! 

 

Business loans

Unlike grants, you have to repay small-business loans. But if you need working capital, you may find that loans are worth the cost.

As a young startup, you’ll have somewhat limited options for business loans. Traditional lenders (banks) won’t even look at you. 

You’re better off applying with online lenders, like the ones on this list of the best small-business loans for startups.

 

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding offers another way to get free money for your business. In most cases, you don’t have to repay the funds you get through crowdfunding (though you’ll probably have to reward your backers somehow). 

Plus, you can crowdfund even with a very young startup. Just keep in mind that crowdfunding tends to work better for product-based businesses rather than service-based businesses.

 

Other options

You’ve got more financing options than just grants, loans, and crowdfunding. Here are some other popular funding methods:

  • Borrowing from family and friends
  • Personal assets
  • Angel investors
  • Venture capitalists

 

HOW ABOUT A GRANT?? 

On paper, grants sound like the perfect funding option for most small businesses. After all, grants give you money to spend on your business―but unlike loan money, you never have to pay it back. What’s not to love?

Well, as great as grants are, they do have some downsides (like involved application, stiff competition, and earmarked funds).

 But should those downsides stop you from applying?

In this guide to startup business grants, we’ll help you decide. We’ll show you how grants work (the good and the bad) and tell you how to find grants for your business. We’ll also point you toward some alternative financing options, in case grants don’t work out for you. 

As we already said, grants give money that you don’t have to repay. That means you’re getting free funds for your business.

Of course, actually getting and using those funds can get a little more complicated. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Find a relevant grant

If you want to get a startup business grant, first you need to find a grant to apply for.

Maybe you already have one (or more) in mind. In that case, you can skip ahead to the next step. If you don’t, it’s time to start looking. We have some tips on where to look (which we’ll come to in just a bit).

Remember, though, that you’re not just looking for any grant. You’re looking for a grant that you can use for your business. Most grants specify how the funds can be used. So, if you want to buy equipment, for example, don’t bother with grants that have to be used to hire more staff.

Once you think you’ve found a grant, it’s time to take a closer look at the application requirements.

2. Make sure you qualify

Most grants require applicants to meet certain eligibility requirements.

For example, the grant-giving organization might require you to have a for-profit business. The requirements can get much more specific than that though. Take the Asian Women Giving Circle Grant. Applicants must be Asian American women with a nonprofit in New York City.

So before you start an application, make sure you and your business meet all the relevant requirements for your grant of choice. Otherwise, you could waste time on a grant you’ll never get.

Now, the good news is that most grants stick to demographic qualifications or industry qualifications―things about you or the area you work in. They don’t, however, usually care about things like your personal credit score. Likewise, you won’t find too many grants that have strict revenue or time in business qualifications.

That means you can often qualify for grants even if you can’t qualify for business loans―making grants great for startup funding.

When you’re sure you qualify for the grant you want, you’re ready to begin your application. After all, grants don’t get handed out willy-nilly to anyone who wants them―you have to win them

3. Work on your application

Once you’ve made sure you meet all the qualifications for a grant, you can start on your application. Depending on the grant you’re applying for, the application can range from answering a few basic questions about your business to very involved essays, videos, and budget proposals. In other words, you should plan on investing some time in your grant application. 

That said, you should consider how involved the grant application is and compare that to the grant award amount. It may be worth pouring hours and days into an application for a $60,000 grant―but you might not want to invest that much time in a $1,000 grant. 

4. Submit your application

Assuming you still decide to apply, though, you can finish and submit your application. 

Make sure you fill out the application completely and submit all the required parts. After all, your application will probably have quite a bit of competition.

And watch out for deadlines. Many grant applications have a very strict submission deadline. Don’t miss it, or you’ll have to sit out that grant cycle.

5. Wait to see if you get the grant

While we know you want to hear back about your application right away, you probably won’t get an answer for a while.

Most grants get quite a few applicants. And the broader the grant requirements, the more applicants they’re likely to get.

Because so many business owners apply, it can take a long time to find out whether or not you won the grant. After all, someone has to review all those applications.

So, settle in for a long wait. But do make sure you check your email and voicemail regularly to make sure you don’t miss any important communications about the grant―like telling you that you won.

6. Use your grant money

If you’re lucky, you’ll win the grant! 

Congratulations! You got free money.

That doesn’t mean you can spend your grant money however you want though. Most grants earmark the funds for certain uses. (Fortunately, they tell you about those uses upfront.) 

As you spend your grant money, make sure you use it on those designated uses. If you don't, you could end up on the hook for repaying your improperly used funds!! 

 

Where to find startup grants

Now that you know how to get a startup business grant, how do you actually find one you want?

Mostly, you’re going to have to put in some time and effort to look. 

As we said earlier, we suggest looking locally if possible. Ask around at local small business development centers, business expos, and other places.

But yes, you can look online too. That’s how I found some of the information for this blog. 

 

Grants for small businesses

FedEx Small Business Grant | Awarded to Small-business owners | Grant Amount: $5,000 | Open to All businesses, winners decided by public vote | Learn More

National Association for the Self-Employed | Awarded to Self-employed entrepreneurs | Grant Amount: $4,000 | Open to NASE members | Learn More

StreetShares Foundation | Awarded to Veteran, reserve, or active-duty US military and their spouses | Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 | Open to Businesses working toward social change in military communities | Learn More

  • Another good place to look is grants.gov. It lists all current government grant opportunities.
  • And you can always look at grants for special groups.

 

Grants for specific groups

While business lenders can’t choose to give money only to certain groups―like women, veterans, or minorities―grant programs can. So if you’re in one of those groups, look for grants targeted at you.

If you’re a female business owner, you can check out our roundup of the best small-business grants for women. Some opportunities are open to all female entrepreneurs, while others get more specific.

If you’re a minority business owner, there are grants just for you. We have a list of the best business grants for minorities to get you started.

And if you (or your spouse) served in the US military, you might be able to qualify for grants for veterans

 

TO CONCLUDE: 

Startup business grants can be a great way to fund your business since you don’t have to repay the money and you don’t have to meet any credit requirements. But grants often have involved applications and competitive applicant pools, so they’re not right for every small business owner.

If you can find relevant grants that don’t take too long to apply for, it is highly recommended to submit an application. Just remember you can’t count on grant funding―so make sure you have a backup plan! 

 

If you’re interested in more information, go to score.org and check out our grants and funding webinars which are free! 

Last - We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique situation! 

 

John Kohl

Mr. Kohl graduated from Illinois State University with a BS degree in Business Administration. He worked for State Farm Insurance Company for 35 years and specialized in the organization of start-up agencies, plus Marketing and Sales with State Farm independent contractor agents.

 

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