New Grant Facts

3 Responses to “Where would I find start up grants for a collective used bookstore ?”

1. maraesa1000, on March 17th, 2007 at 2:20 pm Said:

   The government offers small business start up loans, and unlike companies they are not looking to make much of a profit from these loans so are more likely to give them if you have CC-J’s or problems getting credit. You can’ t really get grants unless you win a business competition (which are usually only open to young people aged 18-25). You could market your idea to a business or company who would then invest in your idea.

   You really need to get organised if you want it to happen, and need a half-decent credit rating even for government loans. Perhaps look into online selling as it has extremely low start-up costs and is good for getting some collateral to start up properly.

   This is a good site for getting your act together. It is in the UK but the advice is universal:

   I wish you the best of luck. There are quite a few used bookstores, but they are usually very high end collectors pieces or rare items. Nobody really wants normal used books anymore, and if they do they buy them, they do so online or at car boot sales. Look into the viabilityy of your idea before you start thinking about funding.

2. New Haven SCORE, on March 19th, 2007 at 9:49 pm Said:

   You can go to grants.gov but unless you’re starting a daycare, you’re out of luck.

3. imisidro, on March 21st, 2007 at 11:48 am Said:

   It is hard to find grants to start a business — especially for a bookstore. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business.

   One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.

   Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups — minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include

   Iowa Women’s Foundation
   New Mexico Women’s Foundation

   Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website

   “The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments.”

   Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and Grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

   Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business — THERE’S NONE.

   Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

   Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women’s Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women’s business center that will train women entrepreneurs

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