Grants: where to actually find them

Free money exists, but it takes work

Grants are the best funding. You don't pay them back. Also the most competitive. Most small business grants go to specific types: women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, rural, specific industries.

Most 'small business grants' you see online aren't real or charge a fee to apply (usually a scam). Real grants come from specific, verifiable sources.

Here's where to find them.

Key points

• Grants.gov lists every federal grant. Most are for research, nonprofits, or specific industries. Some apply to small businesses. Free to search and apply.
• SBA doesn't give grants directly. But they administer specific programs (SBIR, STTR for research-focused companies) that are essentially grants.
• Local and state programs exist. Your state Economic Development office, city small business office, and Chamber of Commerce know about local grants that skip national coverage.
• Private corporate grants. FedEx, Verizon, Visa, Comcast and other large companies run annual small business grant programs. Watch for short application windows.
• Never pay to apply. Legitimate grants don't charge fees. If someone's charging, it's a scam or a grant writing service (different from a grant).