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Depending on your business/brand, you may be able to get a grant to finance it. A grant is free money; you never have to pay it back! Organizations offer grants for all sorts of reasons, such as to stimulate the economy, improve communities, and empower certain demographics (such as women in business).

The first step in getting a grant is finding one you qualify for. Here’s a short list to get you started:

 Government grants: Federal and state agencies make a point of stating that they’re not sources of free money for most business startups, but they offer limited grants to fund scientific or medical research and community, educational, and environmental programs. Here are a few resources for finding out more about government grants:SBA Grants page (https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants)U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Funding Opportunities page (https://eda.gov/funding-opportunities)The State Business Incentive Database from the Council for Community and Economic Research (www.stateincentives.org)The SBA’s Small Business Development Centers database, which you can search at https://www.sba.gov/local-assistanceYour state’s .gov website

 Demographic-specific grants: If you’re a woman, veteran, or minority business owner, you may be eligible for grants from corporations, special-interest groups, or the SBA. Search the web for “business grants for” followed by your demographic, such as “business grants for women.”

 Corporation grants: Many corporations offer small-business grants or sponsor contests to encourage innovation in their industry or help entrepreneurs in certain groups start a business. Check with the big players in your industry to see whether they offer any grant programs or contests, or search the web for “corporate small-business grants.”

Be careful of any person or organization that offers help to get grant money. Some may be legitimate; others are scams.

For more about getting grants, check out Grant Writing For Dummies, 6th Edition, by Beverly A. Browning (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.).