The United States Small Business Administration offers numerous federal grants programs through departments and committees that have been assigned to award funds by the United States government according to specific purposes. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been appointed by the United States government to oversee these committees and allocate the funds that these departments award to various programs. The SBA also organizes resources for corporations, non- profits, and for-profit businesses, to further their business administration knowledge including workshops and seminars, links to various non-profit organizations, business development assistance, and free counseling. Although the United States Small Business administration does not offer grants for start-up or existing businesses, it does extend these counseling, educational, and referral services to these businesses in need. The services and grants offered by the SBA foster economic growth and development and provide communities with opportunity.
Grants offered by the United States Small Business Administration are awarded according to purpose and the estimated need of the specific state and population. The application process, requirements, and award process are dependent upon the grant and the agency awarding the grant. Qualifications and requirements are very specific according to the individual grant, so it is advised that extensive research be done before applying for a federal grant. The Small Business Administration offers free counseling and preparation services as well as links to resources that match grant seekers with prospective grant makers. The SBA website contains all of the information needed for research and referrals including links to other grant assistance organizations such as the SBA’s Women’s Business Center, the Department of Commerce, and the Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance (CDFA).
Programs that have been allocated to award funds are many and include the Department of Health and Human Resources, the Department of Justice, the Office of Rural Health Policy, the Department of Labor, the Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, the National Cancer Institute, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Parks Service, the Office of Naval Research, and the Social Security Administration, among others.
The Small Business Administration provides links to grants awarded by several other agencies. For example, the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration is responsible for ensuring the quality of America’s workplace and offers Formula and Competitively Funded grants. Formula funded grants are awarded according to factors such as population, unemployment rate, and income. Competitively Funded Grants are awarded according the purpose of a specific project. As with all other awards, organizations seeking funding must illustrate how these funds will be distributed and how they will be targeted to a specific population. These programs have annual allotments specifically distributed to specific populations such as adults, youth, and dislocated workers. Within these specifications, funds are then allocated to such purposes as Alien Labor Certification, Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers Program, Youth Offenders, Incumbent Workers Program, Minority Colleges Involvement, and Disability Groups.