NASE Small Business Grants Available in 2009
Cash Awards for the Self Employed and Micro-Business Owners
Feb 13, 2009
At a time when many business organizations are tightening their belts, NASE is distinguishing itself as a true leader by continuing its Business Grant Development Program, now in its fourth year.
NASE Small Business Grant Program History
The grant program, which NASE launched back in 2006, was created in direct response to the disheartening results of an in-house survey. According to NASE, a "Member poll found that a majority of micro-business owners (57 percent) initially fund[ed] their business using personal savings, and many (40 percent) continue[d] to use personal savings for ongoing financing." (A micro-business has 10 employees or less.)
Rather than ignoring those stats, NASE chose to launch an ambitious Business Development Grant Program in order to help relieve some of the financial pressure that plagued its members. Today, with an impressive grantmaking record under its belt---NASE has awarded 75 grants totalling approximately $350,000 since 2006---the organization serves as a beacon of hope to needy entrepreneurs in a credit-strapped economy.
NASE Small Business Grant Eligibility, Criteria, Dates, and Awards
Premier-level NASE members ($480) are eligible to apply.*
Although NASE has not publicly disclosed all of its grant application criteria, it does list four at its website:
- clear business need
- detailed plan to use the grant funds
- grant's potential to satisfy the business need
- grant's potential impact on overall business
NASE began accepting grant applications on February 1, 2009. It will continue to do so on a rolling basis through November 30, 2009. Winning applicants will be awarded cash grants of up to $5,000.
NASE Small Business Grant Application Quick Tips
When applying for the NASE grant---or some other---consider the following tips to aid in your pursuit:
- Study the sponsor. Familiarize yourself with the grantmaker. Try to determine the organization's mission, values, and goals. After you've developed a good working profile of the benefactor, let that information guide your efforts. Write your application "to the heart" of the organization as much as possible, seeing to it that you align your plan for the grant funds with their purposes and vision.
- Network with winners. Identify previous grant winners and contact them as soon as you can. Explain your intent to apply for an award and ask them to share lessons learned and whatever else they think might be helpful. If you succeed in establishing a strong rapport, be bold and ask them if you can read their winning application. As long as they aren't applying during the current grant cycle, it shouldn't be a problem. And besides, most people love talking about their successes anway!
- Follow Instructions. Once it's time to begin preparing your application, be sure to follow all of the grantmaker's instructions to the letter. While creativity can help to distinguish your application from those of your competitors, don't get so carried away that you cast off the guidelines. A failure to dot every "i" and cross every "t" could eliminate you from the process before you ever get started.
Cash Grants, Contrarian Business
Although many in the business community seem to fear the future, NASE's forward-thinking grant program is proof positive that there are still some organizations willing to "swim upstream" while so many others are heading down. By boldly staying the course with cash awards for the self-employed and micro-business owners, NASE is demonstrating the true spirit of entrepreneurship.
Additional Grant Information
To find information on additional grant opportunities, be sure to read South Carolina Entrepreneur to Award $500 Grant and NASE Small Business Grants Available in 2009.
*An independent audit of the Premier package sets its value at $14,000. Benefits include health, life and business insurance; website hosting; credit card, debit card, and payroll processing services; identity theft protection; tax and legal assistance, and more.
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