Non-profit organization
Specific purposes
Rurally located businesses
Technical advancement
Specific sex and race
Community assistance
Specific sales revenue

There are also other criteria that may be set for the specific area you live in. Some state agencies have different grants than others. If you want to look up the different grants that are available, you can check out the grants on these sites.

http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.FIND_ASSISTANCE_PROGRAM_DYN.show

This is the Catalog that is available through the CFDA or what is commonly called the Catalog of Federal Assistance.

http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/grants/index.html

This is the SBA main web page. You can find links for the Federal grants here. You can also visit the SBA or Small Business Administration site for the state you live in.

There are also grants that are specifically available for the increase of knowledge and growth of technology. These grants are called STTR or Small Business Technology Transfer and SBIR Small Business Innovations Research. You can research these through their sites at:

http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indexfast.html

http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indexsbir-sttr.html

Most of the time grants through the government are awarded to the companies that are specifically working to better the community. This is because they are investing in the growth of the community itself.

However the government does understand the importance of small businesses and have set up several resources available to support the opening and growth of a small business.

The SBA has a list of several loans that are available at good interest rates, with flexible terms. These loans are set up specifically with the idea of supporting a new small business through the early and most vulnerable times.

Here is a list of those loans.

http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/sbaloantopics/index.html

Whether you are applying for a grant or a loan, there is some basic information and documents that you will need to have ready. Start with a business profile or business plan. This is a simple explanation of what type of business you will be starting; what your annual sales revenue should be; if you have employees, how many will you need; how long, if you have at all have you been in business.

The two most important things that the government will want to know is how much money have you make or can you make, and do you believe in your own ideas. Therefore presentation of this information is everything.

If you are applying for a grant specifically, you will want to document ideas on how your business will be a benefit to the community. This can be in research, helping children, beautifying the community etc.

In the documentation that you complete for either a grant or loan, you will need to make sure that it is complete and accurate. An incomplete application can set you back months. Bring as much positive information and documentation to light with your application. This will help show that you are serious about your business and will succeed.

If you find that your business fits the structure of these grants, then you can start the process to get the grant. However, if you find that you do not meet the specific criteria, there are several other options that the government has set up to help small businesses get off the ground.