Grant Money

Somehow the fantasy persists that there is a ton of money available to for-profit businesses that doesn't need to be paid back. The reality is that almost all grant money is awarded only to registered non-profit organizations or to businesses doing innovative research that is "in the national interest".

The monies specifically designated for the support of small businesses are administered through the Small Business Administration as loans. Most other government grants are set aside for state and local governments and non-profits to provide technical assistance to small business. For information on government grants, see the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

Private foundations fund the work of non-profit organizations, but rarely private business. If you are developing a non-profit, information about private foundations can be found at the Foundation Center . If you need assistance in developing a grant proposal, see the Grantsmanship Center .

If you are a non-profit, here are some sites worth searching:

• Center for Excellence in Non-Profits
• Small Business Innovative Research Center
• Small Business Administration
• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

SBIR Grants
The Small Business Innovation Research program is the only real place where for-profit businesses can get grant money. This program is designed to stimulate true technological innovation by small businesses and bring new high-risk products and services to market for national interests and government procurement.
Contact your nearest SD SBDC office for information or check out these Internet sites: http://www.usd.edu/business/small-business-development-center/small-business-innovation-research.cfm and http://www.sba.gov/content/research-grants-small-businesses