56 Grants, Loans and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business

The Federal government uses two kinds of grants:

• Grants given by an agency of the Federal government (also known as “discretionary” grants) — for instance, a homeless assistance grant given out by the Department of Health and Human Services to a homeless shelter.
• Grants that put Federal money in the hands of States, cities, or counties for them to distribute to community groups, charities, and other social service providers, usually under their own rules and regulations.

You can apply directly to the Federal government or you can apply for funds from an agency/organization that distributes money it receives from the Federal government. More money is available from programs administered by States and localities than from the Federal government directly.

To search for funding opportunities from the Federal Government, you may want to register and apply through the single source for Federal grants,

When you know where to look, help for your small business is there for the taking.

Times are tough for small business, but help is available, from both the government—federal, state or local—and the private sector. It may be in the form of a grant, competing in a difficult business environment. Here’s a breakdown to help you sort through what’s available.