7 Free Government Grants You (Probably) Never Knew Existed
Here are seven free government grants worth looking into!
The amount of free government grants on the market is shocking. There are hundreds of them to choose from, each with eligibility requirements and deadlines.
For example, there’s a little-known grant for artists who have been working in the field for at least ten years. Or a grant program that offers $250,000 to small businesses looking to hire new employees.
This blog post will outline seven different government grants that you probably didn’t know existed. We hope it helps you find some free money so that you can reinvest in your hard work!
Government Grants for the Arts
One grant program that many people don’t know about is the Individual Artist Fellowship. This grant, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, can help artists with a need for living expenses.
Artists who have been working in the field for at least ten years are eligible to apply for this grant. To qualify as an artist, you must have a history of artistic achievements and not just be someone who has expressed interest in being an artist.
The grant will provide funding up to $25,000 to help cover your basic living costs and support your creative endeavors. The grant doesn’t cover your art-related expenses, so you will need to obtain other grants or financial support from other sources if you want to create new work through this program.
You are also required to submit quarterly reports on how the money was used and document any significant accomplishments achieved during this period.
Government Grants for Women-Owned Businesses
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) provides various services to women-owned businesses, including grants.
The WBC offers two different types of grants: the Women-Owned Small Business Grant and the Women’s Business Opportunity Grant.
See if your business is eligible for a grant by visiting this website!
The Women’s Business Opportunity Grant is designed specifically for women with an idea or a business plan who need help raising seed money. The grant is awarded to female entrepreneurs looking to open or grow their current businesses and doesn’t require a match.
This grant also has special provisions that apply if you’re opening your business in an economically disadvantaged area, have been unemployed within the last 12 months, or are coming out of a transitional period.
The Women-Owned Small Business Grant is another opportunity offered by the WBC, and it’s designed to help fund new small businesses owned by female entrepreneurs.
The only requirement for this grant is that you must be a woman-owned, small business established within the last five years.
You can choose from either $1,000 or $5,000, and there’s no required match. Here’s where I show you how I Received Free Government Grants for My Small Business step by step!
Free Government Grants to Start a Small Business
It can be difficult for small business owners to get the funding to start or grow their companies in today's economy. Thankfully, there are several government grants available that can help you get off the ground and allow you to reinvest in your hard work.
The SBA provides a variety of grants for small businesses with a maximum amount of $30,000 that often cover about half of the cost of getting started.
For example, the first grant is called “Start-Up.”
It has a low cost to apply and requires minimal paperwork. You have to meet specific requirements, like having enough collateral or other similar assets and having a feasible business plan with a realistic chance of success.
The second grant is called “Small Business Growth,” which provides $2 million per year and has similar requirements as “Start-Up.”
Free Government Grants for Veterans
One of the first grants to mention is for veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a government grant that offers up to $3,400 per year to those who have served less than ten years in the military. It offers veterans education benefits and helps them pay for their college costs.
This grant applies to all military branches and covers various educational pursuits, including graduate degrees. It even includes tuition and books and supplies, which are not provided by some other grants for veterans.
The most notable benefit of this grant is that it does not require any repayment from the veteran like other government grants may.
Free Government Grants for College Students and Recent Grads
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program offers recipients up to $20,000 in grants for college tuition and living expenses. This amount is determined by a percentage of the student’s total cost (not exceeding 100 percent).
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for the grant program. The deadline to submit your application is July 1st. You can also qualify if you are a veteran or active service member in good standing and awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides up to $2500 per year for qualified undergraduate students and $1000 per year for qualified graduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
To be eligible, your tax filing status must be single, married filing jointly, head of household with a qualifying child, or qualifying widow(er) with dependent child; and your modified adjusted gross income cannot exceed $180,000 if you file as single or head of household; $240,000 if you file as married filing jointly; or $120,000 if you are married filing separately.
The Lifetime Learning Credit offers up to 20% off tuition costs on all courses taken after the 2006–07 academic year. There is no time limit for when this credit can be used — you may use it anytime over ten years, beginning from the date that you filed your original tax return reflecting the scholarship/grant award
7 Free Government Grants You Never Knew Existed
1. A $50,000 grant for single mothers of two children who are looking to start a business
2. Grants for women who are pregnant and looking to start a business
3. A $10,000 grant for veterans and their spouses who want to start a business
4. Grants for veterans and their spouses who want to start a farm or ranch
5. A self-employed artist can get up to $25,000 per year with no strings attached
6. Veterans who are disabled and have an injury that the VA has documented can get up to $3,360 per year in benefits
7. A $500 grant for eligible small businesses that are looking to hire new employees
Here’s where I show you how I Received Free Government Grants for My Small Business step by step! One of the most frustrating parts of starting a business is figuring out how to fund it.
And if you’re like a lot of small businesses, you might not have the credit or assets needed to secure a loan.
But if you’re looking for ways to fund your small business without loans, then government grants can be an excellent option. Government grants are typically awarded to individuals, not companies.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t help your entrepreneurial endeavors in some way. Government grants can fund innovative ideas, research and development, and marketing activities. You need to make sure that your grant aligns with the company’s mission.
Remember, there are hundreds of free government grants on the market, so take your time exploring all of your options before applying for anyone in particular!
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