Posted on 12/30/2021 1:51:43 PM PST by MissEdie
Freepers I need your help. I want to start a business revolving around crafts and creating things. I would love to be able to partner with veterans groups or mental health places to get people suffering from depression using their hands and creativity to make things. Being active helps with depression and I know a lot of people are hurting. I am speaking with a company tomorrow about getting started with this. I need help finding grants to help me get started, I can get some $ from the bank.
Call your local VA office. My daughter has been teaching pottery to a group of Vets in Richmond. The studio got a grant from the local VA office. She is just the instructor, so the financial part of it was not her deal.
Lot of red tape in government money. Might think about crowdfunding and/or hooking up with some existing veterans non-profit group(s).
try score.org
Your business idea seems that it could get off the ground with little capital requirement. That’s good.
Make some examples, lay out the activity that the patients would experience, write down the benefits of that activity (reference sound and reputable sources supporting your argument), describe the followon process of engaging with patients, describe your personnel needs, explain in clear detail every cost you will incur, describe how you will be insured and manage the accounting and tax implications, describe the risks that would threaten your business’ success.
Write down in detail why you need external funding and can’t fund yourself. Write down clearly how much of your personal wealth is invested in this enterprise and how much you are committed (no one will fund a venture the founder won’t take a risk on). Describe your plan to eliminate, reduce, or recover from any foreseeable problem.
Then, hire a grant writer to pursue public or foundation funds (much competition) or put together a “pitch deck” for private investors (some competition).
Expect skeptical investors. My first question would be “how is your business better than what is already available?”
Good luck.
Try everything. State grants, federal grants, VA grants, local city grants, chamber of commerce, go-fund-me type projects. Lots of ways and each can add a little bit. Keep on keeping on.
You also have 1 day left to file for SBA grant under the EIDL program, but that may not work for a start-up, that is for covid relief. The SBA does do other grants for non-profits if you are set up as a non-profit. Or you may qualify personally from the SBA for $5000-$15,000 depending on where you live. It’s a fairly straight forward application and the SBA is giving the money out directly, no banks.
Nationalanthemgirl.com and on FB. Janine does a lot of volunteer work with/for veterans and is a great person. If you reach out I’ll bet she will respond, maybe with some ideas that will help. Good luck!
Try the US Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Last time I used one it was about 6 inches thick of fed programs that cities and states could apply for. There were several programs for individuals as well. Talk to your local regional planning agency or grant person in your home county.
Goats are good pets, but they like to ram you and your car and your footstool.
What?
Grants?
Oh.
I’m sorry.
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