Government Grants for Small Business
While the federal government does not provide grants for starting or growing small businesses, it does provide a myriad of services to assist entrepreneurs in pursuit of their dreams. One of the mechanisms in place to promote small business growth and economic development is the Community Development Financial Institution Fund managed by the US Department of the Treasury. In the current fiscal year the federal government is allocating more than $12 Million to support CDFIs.
Community Development Financial Institutions fall into four categories:
- Community Development Loan Funds
- Community Development Credit Unions
- Community Development Banks - Including Thrifts and Holding Companies
- Community Development Venture Capital Funds
The genesis of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund was the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. The reason for the fund's existence is to foster economic revitalization and community development.
Community Development Financial Institutions by State
Featured Government Grant Resources
Historically Underutilized Business Zones - HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program
The Small Business Administration has established the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Empowerment Contracting Program wherein they aim to provide federal contracting assistance to eligible small business corporations which are located in underutilized business zones so as to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area's economic development.
Business Loans From GovLoans
The government has launched innumerable programs that are all geared towards the achievement of this goal. Some of these programs involve the provision of technical assistance, training sessions, and strategies that would potentially help business owners in marketing their products and in expanding their businesses.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Social Enterprise Is Re-Housing Unwanted Furniture
Weston Mill-based social enterprise Surplus Rescue CIC (Community Interest Company) recycles and finds homes for unwanted furniture. To date, it has received “extensive amounts” of quality second-hand furniture including desks, pedestals, cupboards and office chairs from a former local authority office equipment – and wants to find them a good home.
