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Local grants are a valuable resource for SMEs – make sure you don’t miss out.
There’s a reason why Swoop likes to push grant funding for businesses: as a young and growing business, we have used grant funding in the past to get where we are today, and if there’s more funding out there for which we qualify, we’ll be putting in an application.
Local grants are financial awards that are given by local governments, organizations, and foundations to support small businesses. They are often overlooked as a resource to help your business, but there are solid reasons for considering them, because they can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Starting a new business: Grants can help cover the costs of things like business licenses, permits, and marketing materials.
- Growing an existing business: Grants can help businesses expand their operations, hire new employees, or purchase new equipment.
- Making improvements to a business: Grants can be used to make improvements to a business’s physical space, such as updating the storefront or renovating the office.
- Reducing emissions: Grants are often awarded to help streamline processes, install energy-saving devices or solar panels.
- Research and development: Grants can help businesses fund research and development projects that can lead to new products or services.
- Community outreach: Grants can help businesses fund community outreach programs that benefit the local area.
If you’re a small business owner, local grants can provide you with the financial assistance you need to start or grow your business.
Where to find local grants
There are a number of resources available to help you find local grants. One of the best places to start is www.swoopfunding.com.
We found our own experience of grant funding was so important to our early success, we wanted to make sure the same opportunities were available to our customers.
Swoop’s Grant Finder lists hundreds of local grants for small businesses. You can search for grants by location, industry, and funding amount.
You can also find local grants by contacting your local government, chamber of commerce, or economic development agency. These organizations often have lists of available grants or can direct you to other resources.
Swoop’s top tips on successful grant applications
The application process for local grants can vary depending on the grantor. However, there are Swoop’s top tips that will help your chances of success:
- Read the grant announcement carefully. Make sure you understand the eligibility requirements and the application process. All of this information is easily accessed through the Swoop Grant Finder.
- Gather the required documentation. This may include your business plan, financial statements, and tax returns. You may wish to bring in your accountant on this as grant applications supported by an accountant are more likely to be successful.
- Write a compelling grant proposal. Your proposal should explain why your business is a good candidate for the grant and how you will use the funds. Swoop can put you in touch with an experienced professional grant writer. Research shows that they can increase your chances of success by as much as 80 percent.
- Submit your application as soon as possible. Many grant programs begin making awards before the deadline has been reached. If you wait until the last minute, there simply may no longer be enough in the fund to make the award your business deserves. Get your application in as early as possible!
Conclusion
Local grants can provide you with the financial assistance you need to start or grow your business. At Swoop we want to make it as straightforward as possible for small business owners to apply and succeed.
If you want to learn more, log into your Swoop account here.
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