Government Grants for Small Biz - anatomy of a Grant part II

Are you missing opportunities. The federal government has many grant opportunities.
Today alone if you check http://www.grants.gov/ you will find 974 government grants that include small business as eligible to apply for that grant. They represent a wide range of granting agencies including a host of states and cities seeking grantees for the children's Head Start program.

There are 2 grant programs geared towards small business - SBIR & STTR
Today there are 49 SBIR grants awaiting grant submissions - most are grants by National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation's most prestigious research institution. But there are others such as Bureau of Land Mgt.
All SBIR grants require collaboration with universities or research institutes.

32 STTR grants exclusively being offered by NIH - these are cutting edge technology grants.

If you want to search weekly for grant opportunities the federal government makes it easy.
Go to http://www.grants.gov/
On the left hand part of the screen click Search for Grants
Select Advanced Search
Keyword Search Type in SBIR or STTR
Or  Leave Keyword search vacant and Search by Eligibility and click on small business or any other type of eligible category (i.e., state/county/city government, 501(3)(c) nonprofit, public university, etc.)

If you need a reference guide remember Harriet 'Grants Guru' Grayson author of:
"Guide to Government Grants Writing"
"Government Opportunities for Small Business: Apply for a grant/Become a Government Vendor"
Order http://www.oceanbreezepress.com/

Keep searching

Anatomy of a Small Biz Grant by Harriet "Grants Guru" Grayson

Let's get started.
Do you own a small business? Has it created an innovative product something really, really cutting edge. Well the place to begin the search for government grants is the federal SBIR & STTR programs. You know it's the government so we don't speak in English but acronyms and jargon. 
SBIR = Small Business Innovation Research
Competitive program (means not easy to get the money) but if you do it's the beginning of something fantastic in terms of launching the business. Great Idea behind the funding. Purpose -- enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. The federal government becomes your new best friend because it supports scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds.

Need help on understanding the process. Buy my book "Government Opportunities for Small Business: Apply for a grant/Become a Government Vendor" and if you work or volunteer for a community organization, church or nonprofit BUY NOW "Guide to Government Grant Writing." PURCHASE thru http://www.oceanbreezepress.com/

Come Fly with Me - FAA Funding from Harriet "Grants Guru" Grayson

After four years of political squabbling, the federal FAA financing bill ($63 billion) was passed in February 2012. Politics is the art of compromise. You wouldn’t think so if you follow Washington shenanigans. However, Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate were able to hammer out a bill that no one likes. But that’s OK because that’s how political compromise works – everyone gives a little to get a lot. And it extends federal support for federal aviation through 2015.
Here’s the highlights -- $16 million goes for airport construction and expansion, for an increase in the use of pilotless drones in domestic airspace and the speedier transition to Global Positioning System satellite navigation technology. Federal support (subsidies) for rural airports remains. It does not include consumer protections for airline passengers stuck on airport tarmacs and it makes it more difficult for new unions to organize.
Where’s the money going? Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies and in some cases private owners for airport improvement and expansion. The grants cover 75% of the eligible costs for large and medium size airports; it provides 95% of the costs for small airports. The funds can be used for enhancing airport safety, capacity, security or environmental concerns. It does not pay for airport operations or any improvement that is revenue generating. It also doesn’t pay for operational costs such as salaries, equipment or office supplies.

LEARN LOTS ABOUT GRANTS & GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
"Guide to Government Grants Writing" & "Government Opportunities for Small Business: Apply for a Grant/Become a Government Vendor"
ORDER www.oceanbreezepress.com

Defense Dept Will Endure Cuts says Grants Guru Grayson

US Department of Defense will certainly endure large cuts over the next decade regardless of who wins the 2012 election. We are talking billions of dollars of cuts – something in the range of $450 billion. But remember this is the agency where it’s common that the US government pays for cost overruns. The new USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier is over budget by $1.1billion. One idea circulating is reducing the number if aircraft carriers from 11 to 10. But Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is on record for maintaining the current 11.
The most probable budgetary step is reducing troop strength. The Army is now about 570,000 strong and the Pentagon is discussing a new number of 483,000. The 2015 goal is 520,000 Army people. The much more difficult decision would be another round of base closings. The Defense Dept owns more than 300,000 buildings (2.2 Billion Sq. Ft.) In the short term, closing bases is unlikely although during the next 10 years it is highly possible. Personnel costs represent a huge part of the Pentagon budget: $107 billion on salaries, $50 billion on health care and $24 billion in retirement pay.
Other official cutback suggestions include: Increases in health insurance premium for beneficiaries, capping military salaries ( they have doubled since 9/11), weapon cuts such as F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
So if you business (nonprofit or for-profit) is strictly military-based it may be a good time to begin looking for new sources of revenue. Fewer soldiers mean fewer uniforms, medical supplies, vehicles, civilian personnel. And if your business is near a military base even without a closing fewer military people mean fewer restaurants and bar sales, auto sales, off-base clothing and rental housing off-base.
Contact your Congress person for specific details in your local community.

Federal Programs increased 2012 Budget

Washington political theater is really heating up and for political junkies like me it’s the best time. Actual legislation of any merit will probably not be passed by this Congress. However, the most important piece of legislation for those seeking government grants and contracting opportunities was passed in late 2011: The Omnibus Bill of 2012. This legislation provides funding for all the federal agencies. And the major recipient of federal grant funding is the states which then pass it along to local nonprofits, community organizations and local government so money is in place for the next 12 months.

Yes, many local organizations are hard pressed because state government is running short of money. States often put their money along side of federal money to award more and larger grant and contracting funding. There are always going to be winners and losers in the grants game. This particular cycle is no different. And the actual percentage of decreases is very small; however, if your financial pipeline is one of those programs you will feel the consequences.

But there are winners. The $915Billion single package 2012 Omnibus bill provides $142 million to restore the Everglades so if that is important to you and your organization/business contact the Florida federal delegation (House of Representatives and US Senate) for specifics.

Other programs also got increases:
Job Training $2.2Billion
Pell grants $2.15B
School Improvement grants $535Million
Literacy programs $185Million
And also no new light bulb standards

Stay tuned because for the next several months I will be reporting on those federal agencies and specific programs - new opportunities

Harriet Grants Guru Grayson author of "Guide to Government Grants Writing"

We wait to see if any important federal legislation passes Congress in 2012. So far for all the fury and drama coming from Washington not much has changed in appropriations. The failure of the Super Committee puts in question what happens next year although any real consequences await after the November 2012 elections.
What government grants are now available? Millions of dollars are available. Here’s a selective look:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Grant Title: Urban Waters Small Grant
Due Date: 1-23-12
Purpose: Improve water quality in urban areas
Number of Likely Grants: 55
Award Amount: Ceiling of $55,000

Homeland Security – US Coast Guard
Grant Title: Non-Profit Boating Safety Grant Program
Due Date: 1-27-12r
Purpose: Support National Recreational Boating Safety Programs
Number of Likely Grants: 55


Veterans Administration
Grant Title: Supportive Services for Veterans Families
Due Date: 2-15-12
Purpose: Nonprofits to provide supportive services to veterans families
Number of Likely Grants: 125
Award Amount: Ceiling of $1M

Institute of Museum & Library Services
Grant Title: Museum grants for African American History & Culture
Due Date: 1-17-12
Purpose: Support history, culture of African American experience
Award Amount: From $5,000 to $150,000

Need assistance researching and writing grants contact Harriet "Grants Guru" Grayson at hmgrayson49@yahoo.com
Purchase two great books they make wonderful 2012 gifts:
"Guide to Government Grants Writing" & "Government Opportunities for Small Business: Apply for a Grant/Become a Government Vendor" www.oceanbreezepress.com
Upcoming spring 2012 New England in-person seminars www.5starseminars.com

"Guide to Government Grants Writing" Author Harriet Grayson

Happy Holidays to All -- Good health, prosperity and happiness for 2012. As we make new plans and resolutions for next year let’s recap 2011: Government dysfunction. Still the federal government will continue to fund projects and programs. But silliness combined with craziness will prevail until at least the next federal election in November 2012. Meanwhile, the stock market continues to fly high although day-to-day it has been something of a roller coaster ride. Two good years for Wall Street usually means private grant funding remains strong since private foundation assets are rising with the stock markets and IRS rules require a distribution of those assets.
Good grant and contracting news - Congress did pass 2012 Omnibus bill. This is a $915 Billion single package because not enough Congresspeople and Senators can agree on an agency by agency budget. Yes, yes there are some cuts we're still talking political theater rather than anything substantial. And yes, a small % reduction in a particular spending program does translate into millions of $. But as always with federal budgets priorities shift and next year will be no different. Now that the Omnibus bill has passed we will see the money flowing through grants & contracts.
Need a great reference tool to research, write and apply for government grants PURCHASE NOW "Guide to Government Grants Writing" by the master Grants Guru Grayson aka Harriet Grayson. (www.5starseminars.com) - get a good head start for 2012.
Want to learn more about government contracting opportunities seek the expert Harriet Grayson "Opportunities for Small Business: Apply for a Grant/Become a Government Vendor" - PURCHASE NOW (www.5starseminars.com) - be ahead of the pack.