Could the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Help You Secure a Small Business Grant?

A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna M. Brown

A Clearinghouse of Small Business Grant Sources

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) online at http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html offers you access to a database of all kinds of money sources including those that might be able to help you with a small business grant.

-In the CFDA you will find the following types of programs:

-Federal programs available to state and local governments including the District of Colmbia

-Federally recognized Indian tribal governments

-Territories and possessions of the United States

-Domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions

-Specialized groups and individuals

The CFDA notes that, while many people visit their site looking for a way to apply for a small business grant of loan directly from the federal government, most programs offer assistance to state and local governments or other organizations to manage the distribution of money according to local needs. Still there are some programs that do offer direct loans to individuals.

If you own a small business, this still might be a very valuable source for you. For example, if you own a small construction company and want the job of renovating the town's historic theater, you could help your community find federal funding that will help your town to pay you for your services. The money will not come to you directly, but could aid in making your project possible. Or, maybe you are a researcher and want to get paid to index a historic collection of newspapers.

By working with a local university or a governmental entity, you could help secure a grant that will include money to hire you as a researcher.

You can't apply for assistance at this website. Instead you will be redirected to the program of your choice.

Finding a Small Business Grant, Loan or Other Assistance Through Cfda

To find a program on this website, go to the "Assistance Program Listings" page. Maybe you're not sure which agency will most likely provide the small business grant, loan or other assistance you need. Try a keyword search. Are you into anthropology? Try several different words or combinations of words such as "cultural studies, " "history" or a word relating to the peoples you research most. You might also visit the Top 10% page to see a list of programs arranged by number of viewings - others have found an interest in these listings, so chances are you will to.

When Applying for a Small Business Grant or Other Help, Read All Instructions Carefully

Don't assume you are eligible for a program just because you fit in the category promoted by a particular service. Grants traditionally have very strict eligibility requirements. Check them off to make sure you are a good match for any particular organization and that that organization is a good match for you.

The CFDA can't help you apply for money from any one organization, but you will find general helps listed on this page. Once you find a program of interest, contact the person or office that's listed. Work closely with the right people and ask them for specific assistance. Ask to see a list of approved projects so you can determine what those recipients did right by the scope of their projects.