Start Up Business Grants for Women

There are a few organizations and programs that offer start-up grants to assist women with their business ventures. The organizations range from community based associations to the federal government. The requirements and process for receiving these funds ranges widely.

Types

Generally there are two types of grants available to woman who are starting a business, government funded grants and private funded grants. The grants from the government are usually extended to persons who are minority woman or woman that are from areas who have suffered financial difficulty. Private funded grants may have even more specific criteria since they are not mandated by any authoritative figure. The amount that is received from either grant type can range from $100 to more than $8,000.

What to Consider

Before you apply for a start-up business grant for women, you will need to have a detailed business plan in place first. Your business plan should include your mission statement, plan of action and details on how you plan to earn a profit. If you need assistance with creating a business plan, take advantage of any community based organizations that may offer these services for free. You will also want to consider taking a grant writing class to assist you with writing a successful grant. If classes for either topic are not available in your local community, research the Internet for books that can help you. Keep in mind that the number of grants given to women for their businesses is not large. The reality is these grants are rarely given and typically in only special circumstances.

Warnings

Beware of the countless claims found on the Internet to assist you with receiving a grant from the federal government for your business. In general, these are typically scams. Contact a representative from the Small Business Administration for the most accurate details and assistance.