Grants for minority women are provided at an increasing rate, particularly in recent years when the number of female entrepreneurs has grown to a great extent. Statistics show how the number rose to 9.1 million by 2014, which represented an almost 70% growth since 1997. At the same time, women entrepreneurs, whether they are a part of any additional minority – such as Native American, Hispanic or LGBT – have had a significant impact on the small business market. Despite these facts, banks and financial institutions consistently reject minority women when it comes to providing them with adequate funding and loans for their business projects. Fortunately many other options are available for these women, including crowdfunding, peer-to- peer loans and minority grants.
Business grants are provided in programs facilitated by special federal agencies and institutions established to ensure business owners who are otherwise incapable of obtaining the financial assistance and support they need can receive grants that involve “free money” offered along with additional stipulations and conditions included in the contract of the grant. Grants designed for minority women include compliance guidance points that you have to observe in order to be eligible. Once you receive a grant, you will also have to report on how you have used the money, and the entire process can be lengthy and complex. Among the incentives and conditions associated with most grants for beginning female entrepreneurs are included: driving your business toward sustainability, adopting the most innovative ideas for business growth, participating in market research studies or allocating at least part of the funding toward research and development.
The Minority Business Development Agency offers one of the best opportunities for grants for minority women available. The agency will provide you with business experts who will help you develop your business plan, and connect you with the most appropriate grants for the type of business you’re running. The Environmental Protection Agency also provides grants geared toward minority business women running sustainable new businesses, while the Small Business Administration supports minority small business owners – including but not limited to women – in obtaining suitable funding.
If you’re a woman belonging to a specific minority group, the best course of action to take is to look for a specific grant agency that caters primarily to the needs of any people belonging to your community, race or ethnic origin. The amount of money you need and the specific type of business you’d like to run will also carry a lot of weight in the decision of which grant is most suitable. Once you have determined your budget and any additional benefits you hope to gain from grants for minority women, contact the granting organizations of your choice to help you prepare for the application process.