How Grants Work: A Small Business Guide

Grants are given by governments, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other organizations in order to serve the public good. This can involve many goals, including:

© Getty Images
Two business people shaking hands

• Spurring technological innovation

• Creating jobs and economic growth

• Driving social equity

• Enhancing public health

• Providing disaster relief

• Supporting environmental sustainability

Small businesses contribute to these goals in big ways. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has noted that small businesses create nearly two out of three new jobs and drive 44% of the U.S. economy.

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) further reports that among companies doing research and development (R&D), “small and young firms are more innovative, more productive R&D performers, and perform research that is more radical.”

So does your small business qualify for grant funds? What kinds of startup grants are out there, and how can you compete for them? This guide will help you set up a plan for adding grant- seeking to your company’s financial strategy.

Overview: What is a grant?

A grant is cash or an item with cash value given to a business or other organization. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid.

Grants for business are relatively rare and highly competitive. For this reason, they’re not a primary source of income. Rather, they are cash infusions that can speed growth, enhance financial strength, and fund special initiatives.

5 types of grants small businesses can get

How do you find small business grants? If you run a quick online search, you’ll find a plethora of databases and articles on grant opportunities. Filter them down to viable grant opportunities for businesses, however, and the list grows surprisingly short.

Basically, business grants fall into these five categories:

Federal grants

The federal government runs two ongoing grant programs for small businesses through the SBA. They are:

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): SBIR awards grants to small businesses doing research solicited by 12 federal agencies. The agencies publish solicitations throughout the year, and small businesses must submit proposals to apply.

• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): STTR grants are awarded to small businesses working with nonprofit partners, such as universities, on research projects. Five federal agencies participate in STTR.

SBIR and STTR are unusual because they award grant money directly to businesses. Most federal grant funds for business are awarded to governments, government agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations, which then support businesses. At the federal level, direct support to businesses usually takes one of these forms:

• Low-interest loans, sometimes with loan forgiveness

• Tax credits

• Government contract set-asides

• Coaching, mentoring, and financial counseling

• Technical assistance

Grants open to small businesses are listed in the federal grants database at grants.gov. But, as the website notes, the database is for “organizations and entities supporting the development and management of government programs and projects.” It’s not a source for “financial assistance opportunities.”

That said, there are 909 grants on the site open to small businesses either directly or indirectly. Of those, 84% are research grants.

© Provided by The Blueprint
The search tool on the federal grants database at grants.gov.

An example of a federal grant with a direct cash award is a listing for Natural Resources Conservation Service grants of up to $75,000 for Maryland organizations (including businesses) that are adopting or developing innovative conservation solutions.

Basically, if you’re doing research, supporting or partnering with government agencies, or creating a substantial public benefit, it’s worth a federal grants database search.

State grants

State grants are often more liberal and less competitive than federal ones. You’re more likely to find cash awards for business development and job creation through state authorities than with federal grant systems.

The best way to find these state grants is not to search online. Instead, reach out directly to your state business development office.

© Provided by The Blueprint
Iowa’s small business resources website.

You’ll also want to stay in touch with your local SBA small business development center. They will know what kinds of SBA grants and other opportunities you might qualify for and how you can approach them effectively.

© Provided by The Blueprint
SBA’s local office search results.

County and city grants

Your county and municipal governments are also key resources for small business grants. Once again, you’re more likely to find cash grants at this level, and you don’t have to conduct grant research on your own. Call your local business development office and ask about grants. With a single call, you can describe your business and find out if there are any promising programs open to you.

Here’s an example.

In May 2020, Charlotte, North Carolina, allocated $35 million of $154.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for small business assistance. The city decided to award grants of up to $25,000 apiece for small businesses with six to 25 employees and up to $10,000 apiece for smaller companies to spend on expenses resulting from the pandemic.

That’s relief you can’t afford to miss out on. And you probably won’t miss out if you have relationships with your business development reps and you’re on your city’s business development mailing list.

Company grants

Many companies award grants to small businesses as a way of giving back and stimulating development in line with their missions. Examples include the FedEx Small Business Grant program, which awards grants of up to $50,000 to innovative businesses, and the Cartier Women’s Initiative, which provides grants of up to $100,000 to “women impact entrepreneurs leveraging business as a force for good.”

To find these opportunities, you have to search online. I would recommend searching quarterly since these initiatives come and go. Also check out The Blueprint’s articles on grants for startups and women-owned businesses.

Organization grants

Many foundations and other nonprofit organizations award business grants. Some examples include the Amber Grant program, which awards $10,000 in grants to women entrepreneurs each month and a yearly prize of $25,000, and Growth Grants from the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), which are open to the association’s members.

© Provided by The Blueprint
Adriana Luna Diaz, the creator of Tierra de Monte earth-friendly farming products, working in her lab.

How to apply for a grant for your business

Searching may seem like the hardest part, but applying for a small business grant can be equally taxing. Here are six steps for completing a business grant application.

1. Beware of scams

While some grant applications require modest fees or membership in a group, anything beyond that could signal a grant scam. Beware of any solicitation that:

• Comes from an organization you’ve never heard of

• Approaches you unsolicited, even if it’s an organization you’ve heard of

• Asks you to match funds or pay money upfront

• Requests bank account numbers or other personal identifying information

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), grant scams often take the form of a congratulatory email or letter saying you’ve won a free grant. Stop there and file it under “too good to be true.” Also, you might want to report it to the FTC or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

2. Find your hook

For both the search and your application, it helps to consider your business’s unique hook. What aspect of the public good does your business serve? Is your business majority-owned by a woman, person of color, veteran, someone with a disability, or a member of any historically disadvantaged group? Is your business going green, working on novel technology, or helping your community? Are you working in an economically depressed industry or area?

If you don’t have a unique angle, don’t worry. You’re still a small business creating jobs and economic activity in your community, and that opens up opportunities as well.

3. Confirm your eligibility

Before you get into the weeds on any grant solicitation, thoroughly read all the eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, key details are often tucked away in the fine print. You don’t want to waste time reading about an interesting opportunity only to find out that you don’t qualify.

4. Tell your story

For many grant applications, it helps to have a compelling story about what makes your business unique. This goes beyond your mission statement to describe your company’s journey from inspiration to realization.

To create a compelling company story, consider:

• What was the need that sparked the idea for your business?

• What personal desires drove you to form the business?

• What challenges have you overcome?

• What drives you through hard times?

• What change do you hope your business will make in the world?

• What separates you from your competition?

Your story should adapt to fit the specific grant specifications, but it will always be a variation on the central theme of your business’s unique journey.

5. Follow the specifications precisely

Writing a grant proposal can be a time-consuming and meticulous task. Some proposals require detailed financial accounting and extensive documentation. Whatever they require, it’s critical to provide exactly what they ask for in the order and format they request. All grants are highly competitive, and you don’t want to be disqualified over a missing document.

6. Have someone review your submission

Ask your contacts at the SBA or your business development office to look over your proposal before you submit it. They understand that grant applications can be complex, and, in most cases, they have staff people who can help you work through a particularly challenging application.

Often they know what the grantmakers are looking for. Take advantage of their expertise to save yourself valuable time and increase your chances of getting funding.

© Provided by The Blueprint
The website for Jessie’s Nutty Cups.

Frequently Asked Questions for Grants

Where can I find grants for small businesses?

The best way to find small business grants is to contact your state and local business development offices and your local SBA representative. If your business conducts research, check out the SBA’s SBIR/STTR grant programs. You can also search online for grants offered by corporations and foundations, such as the FedEx Small Business Grant, Cartier Women’s Initiative, and Amber Grants.

Can I get grant money to start a business?

Yes. Private and government grants are available for businesses in the startup phase, but they’re rare. Getting grant money to form a business from scratch will be harder yet. For those, private competitions are your best bet. Our article on grants for startups covers the best places to look and how to apply.

Are there grants for small business hardships?

Yes. Business grants are available for disaster relief, usually at the state and local levels. Most federal funds for small business hardships take the form of tax credits and low-interest government loans. Sometimes the loans allow forgiveness, which makes them basically cash grants.

An example is the 2020 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program, which provided forgiveness for businesses that satisfied program criteria. If you need financial help, your local SBA representative is a good place to start.

How can I get an SBA grant?

The SBA administers numerous small business grant programs, most notably the SBIR/STTR research grant programs. The SBA also administers many federal assistance programs, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic relief measures. These included PPP loans with forgiveness, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grants. To explore SBA grants, contact your local SBA office.

Throw your hat in the ring . . . wisely

Grants are free money, which is a gift you can’t afford to overlook. But you also can’t afford to sink endless hours into poring over grant solicitations and chasing down opportunities that aren’t a good match. By tapping the experts and conducting targeted research, you can throw your hat in the ring efficiently. Do that consistently, and you have a real chance at landing the elusive dream of free money for your small business.