How to Get a Business Grant

Business grants are available and are out there for most things, be it for new IT, for exporting, and even for starting up a business. SO whatever you need a business grant for there is probably one out there waiting to be taken! Below are a few tips and suggestions as to how you can go about finding and applying for business grants.

FINDING A GRANT
1. Decide what type of grant you need, for how much and what the grant will be used for.
2. Decide if a grant is going to be right for you, for example would you or could you be better off with a business loan?
3. To find a business grant suitable for your needs and circumstances try searching the internet, contacting local governments, local specialist business centres such as Business link, local chambers of commerce and so on who may all be of use, if they are not they will most likely put you in touch with the correct people or even point you in the right direction for what you require.

APPLYING FOR A GRANT
Once you have found the grant or grants most suitable to you and your needs now comes the crucial part - the application. Here are a few dos and don'ts for your application.

DO's
DO Check the terms and conditions of the grant.
DO read the small print.
DO fill in all parts of the application form unless otherwise stated.
DO get somebody else to check the application over before you send it off, just to make sure you have no mistakes and so on.
DO write down exactly what you will use the grant for and why you need it.
DO be and stay positive when applying.
DO draft out what you will put on the form, this way you can get everything down that you want to.
DO your research.
DO use the correct language and grammar.

DON'TS
DONT rush your application form.
DONT lie on any part of your document/application form.
DONT give out of date information, facts or figures.
DONT put down false statements or claims.

SENDING THE GRANT APPLICATION FORM OFF
Now that you have successfully completed the application form off, it is time to send it off. Remember to send it off to the correct address, person/people.

THE WAIT
Now comes the wait which could be a matter of weeks or in some cases months. This is probably the most anxious part but do remember if it comes back that you have not received or got the grant that you can always ask for feedback, apply this feedback to your application and then reapply.

Remember that every No is that little bit closer to a yes. Good luck with finding and getting a grant I wish you every success.