SBA does NOT provide grants for starting and expanding a business.
Government grants are funded by your tax dollars and, therefore, require very stringent compliance and reporting measures to ensure the money is well spent. As you can imagine, grants are not given away indiscriminately.
Grants from the Federal government are authorized and appropriated through bills passed by Congress and signed by the President. The grant authority varies widely among agencies. SBA has authority to make grants to non-profit and educational organizations in many of its counseling and training programs, but does not have authority to make grants to small businesses. The announcements for the counseling and training grants will appear on grants.gov. If Congress authorizes Specific Initiative Grants, organizations receiving such grants will receive individual notifications.
Some business grants are available through state and local programs, nonprofit organizations and other groups. For example, some states provide grants for expanding child care centers; creating energy efficient technology; and developing marketing campaigns for tourism. These grants are not necessarily free money, and usually require the recipient to match funds or combine the grant with other forms of financing such as a loan. The amount of the grant money available varies with each business and each grantor.
If you are not one of these specialized business, both federal and state government agencies provide financial assistance programs that help small business owners obtain loans and venture capital financing from commercial lenders.
Application Forms for Non-Construction Grants
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Forms A-9 through A-12: Budget Detail Worksheet
Cost Policy Statement
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
FY 2010 Checklist of Required Documents for Non-Construction Projects
FY 2010 Frequently Asked Questions
FY 2010 Program Announcement
SF 424A - Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs
Standard Form 424: Application for Federal Assistance
Standard Form 424B: Assurances - Non-Construction Programs
Standard Form 3881: ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form
Application Forms for Construction Grants
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Forms A-9 through A-12
Cost Policy Statement
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
FY 2010 Frequently Asked Questions
FY 2010 Checklist of Required Documents for Construction Projects
FY 2010 Program Announcement
Standard Form 424: Application for Federal Assistance
Standard Form 424C: Budget Information - Construction Programs
Standard Form 424D: Assurances - Construction Programs
Standard Form 3881: ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form
