Disabled veterans may choose from a number of industry-specific small business grants.
If you are a disabled veteran in or starting a small business you should be aware that you will have to be creative in locating grants. An abundance of websites will promise you that there are a plethora of federal, state and other grant opportunities, but most of these sites will guide you toward loan applications or other business ventures that you will be required to pay for. Therefore, focus your grant search in areas where you have expertise, that require minimal changes to your company that will qualify you for a grant, or specific populations that you may serve.
Federal Grants
Contrary to popular belief, the Dallas Public Library assures patrons that there is no federal grant in existence for just opening a small business, whether the individual is a disabled veteran or not. Currently there is one federal grant that specifically is for the training and entrepreneurial endeavors of disabled veterans, but that grant is awarded annually to the Small Business Administration to provide training to veterans. However, grants are available for specific businesses within certain areas of industry from the federal government, provided that you meet the criteria of the grant. An example of this would be federal grants for child care centers, which are offered in regard to construction, nutrition or providing specific services to high risk groups.
Technology Grants
CNN Money indicates that there are more grants for small businesses that are related to the technology field than are found for most other types of businesses. These grants, however, are not exclusively for disabled veterans, but provided to any company that meets the grant qualifications. Some of the companies providing these grants include TechColumbus, Ben Franklin Partnership and the Maine Technology Institute. Depending on the specifics of the particular grant, small businesses that develop certain technological advancements, or businesses that focus on the inclusion of technology in the schools could qualify.
Research Grants
Whether you are a disabled veteran or a civilian you can apply for research grants pertaining to small business that are available through the federal government. For example, the National Institutes of Health has announced a small business research grant, with funding provided by the Recovery Act for social and behavioral research projects. If your small business is involved, or could potentially be involved, in these areas of public concern, this grant may be a possibility for you. Social and behavioral research projects may include research associated with schools and youth, or the impact of one organization's function on a community, for example.
Non-Profit
Your organization may not be non-profit as a whole, but you can develop a segment of your company that provides a service that is non-profit, making you eligible for non-profit organizational grants. Non-profit grants are generally provided to businesses that serve the community in some way. If, for example, you operate a private school, you can offer one community educational opportunity in the evenings that would be non-profit. Obtaining non-profit status allows you to be eligible for many more grants from government and private entities. Many state entities, as well as private corporations, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, offer non-profit grants to business entities. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation offers numerous types of grants to schools related to technology, and public schools are non-profit organizations.
Private Sources
Your local community government or businesses within your locale may offer grants to disabled veterans. However, often these grants are not publicized so you may have to personally begin contacting local and company leaders to network and find out what resources they may offer.
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