Starting a business is hard work. There’s the brainstorming phase, formulating and writing a business plan, figuring out how everything will run and whether you need employees, and the list goes on from there. It’s a daunting task, and if you don’t have the startup capital, then it may seem downright impossible. Once you have secured funding, then you will be able to focus on actually starting and growing your business. If you get the money you need to start your venture, then it will grow faster than if you’re scrambling to pay as you go.
Fortunately, there are many different grant programs in the United States that can help you start that business you’ve been dreaming about. If you’re a single woman, then the odds are even more in your favor that you will be able to obtain some funding, because you are considered a minority. This means that you will receive precedence from the government when applying for business grants for single women. If you have a sound plan for how you will spend the money once you receive it, then chances are good that you may qualify for approval.
Government Business Grants for Single Women
The federal government offers many chances for you to receive business grants for single women. The government has many different agencies and programs that you can apply for – the trick lies in knowing where to look. Don’t be fooled by “grant and loan finder” websites that may charge you a fee simply to obtain the same information you could on your own. Instead, you should go straight to the source.
The best place to begin your search for small business loans for single mothers is on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) website. The site includes information about the Office of Women Business Ownership, which is where you should turn first to get information about grant opportunities to start your business. The office’s sole mission is to foster the growth of women-owned businesses in the United States, and in addition to grant money, you may qualify to receive mentoring, help with your business plan, counseling, and many other benefits simply by connecting with a representative.
Private Business Grants for Single Women
There are also a slew of private organizations located throughout the country that offer business grants for single women. Unlike the SBA, however, you must apply for each of these opportunities individually since they’re separate entities. The best way to go about applying for private single women business grants is to create a spreadsheet to keep track of opportunities you’ve applied for and the status of each application to keep yourself on track. Some great private business grants for single women include:
Count-Me-In : Make Mine a Million
The Make Mine a Million organization hosts annual events that award grants to woman-owned small businesses that aspire to grow their revenue to over a million dollars. It’s a great resource to find grants for your business if it’s already started.
The Women’s Funding Network
The Women’s Funding Network is committed to promoting the growth of funds for women to get their business started. Check it out to see if any of the resources this organization has available are a good fit for your business.