Using Grants to Fund Small Farm Business

Transcription

1 Using Grants to Fund Small Farm Business Indiana Small Farm Conference February 21, 2014 Hendricks County Fairgrounds and Conference Center

2 Our Mission Prosperity aims to be the best in the business at seeking funds for our clients. We endeavor to strengthen communities, empower entrepreneurs and young people while fostering growth in urban and rural environments. We provide resources and knowledge and write successful proposals that enhance cash flow, create jobs, and nurture the environment.

3 The Prosperity Process The 5- Step Prosperity Process that Secures Grants for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners!

4

5 Find Grant Funding Now!

6 What Do You Want To Do/Grow/ Build?

7 Will you need money for that idea? If so, there may be grants to help finance some part

8 Is There Any Grant Money? 26 Federal Agencies offer grants $350 billion/year in awards Facts on Federal Grants: Funded with you tax dollars Grants always sunset Large amount of work to applications Low opportunity to form relationships

9 What is a Grant? Competitively Awarded dollars received from an agency or foundation that do not have to be paid back Funds are often reimbursement only not up front. Funds are for a specific purpose; must validate used for that purpose Requires reporting, record keeping, and auditing

10 What a Grant is NOT! Loan Free Money Tax Free Without Work Easy to Obtain A RESCUE for a Failing Business

11 Grant Myths Busted! Grants can work great for Small or large businesses For profit or non-profit business Entrepreneurial/start-up Research or implementation Equipment or programming Feasibility or business planning

12 Grant Myths Busted! Grants are usually not out there for Individuals seeking cash Businesses that are not solvent Residential improvements Personal projects Founding a business Grants are a privilege not a right. Eventually, its always your money, use it with respect.

13

14

15 Step One Project: Have a specific project in mind; know its needs, positives, and negatives.

16 Step One: Project-Be Defined! Clearly defined project First! Effective Searching w/ better focus Stronger Narrative Clearer Budget Higher Success!

17 Project Description Considerations Who is involved? What needs improved-process, equipment? What needs replaced? What systems are costly/inefficient? What unique aspects do we have? Why is the project important How does the GRANT AGENCY benefit???

18 Step Two Peruse: Know how to efficiently find funds, where to look and how to sort them.

19 Effective Grant Searching Step Two: Peruse Search by keywords, Agency, program title, etc Consider looking in all areas; not just one Join mailing lists even if closed now As beginner, learn one agency/organization well Check often put on calendar

20 Step Three Ponder: Assess your feasibility and eligibility for each program; apply only to the best.

21 What Do I Need to Know? Who is eligible; business entity type What projects and technologies are eligible When is the grant due Where do I submit and how is it delivered Why would I fit or not fit for this grant How do I find out what I need to document

22 Step Four Prepare: Build the best application you can that reads clearly and follows directions.

23 Major Application Components Step Four: Prepare Grant application must always be compete Cannot add items later one shot! It s YOUR job to know terms and comply Timelines are usually short have a timeline

24 What Goes Into a Grant? Narrative Forms Signatures Certifications Documentation Budgets Attachments

25

26 Step Five Patience: Be ready to work with Agency and wait for results.

27 Expectations Following Grant Submission Step Five: Patience Wait times are sometimes long Back and forth w/ Agency is common Requested application changes or additions Program could change, close, etc. You never know!

28 Grant Programs for You

29 We all Start Somewhere... My 1st Book Yet Unpublished (J ) Circa 1984

30 Prosperity s Newsletter Sign up today!

31 Stay In Touch /ProsperityConsulting Prosperity Consulting, LLC Stay In Touch With Prosperityconsulting.blogspot.com/

32 (317) Prosperityconsultingsba.com