Yes, there are grants to consider when looking to start a bed and breakfast business. A good number of folks have long considered starting their own bed and breakfast, a small inn usually based on a theme or located in a historic home or district.
These businesses are known to make available a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning. Establishing and running a bed and breakfast can be quite expensive, but there are resources you can leverage to ensure you attain your dream of owning this business.
It is recommended that you look for grants available for bed and breakfasts in your community. Also, check to see grants for recruiting local contractors or college students or for utilizing some materials. Don’t forget that a single grant will not cover all you need to start your bed and breakfast, but it can reduce your expenses extensively.
Nevertheless, if you are looking to start a bed and breakfast business in the United States, below are the top grants to consider.
Available Grants to Start a Bed and Breakfast Business
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The Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program
This particular program makes available substantial cash to five persons annually. To be eligible, the businesses will have to be 100 percent women-owned and have founding principles of social consciousness, sustainability, and innovation.
Requirements
You will have to be an existing establishment, not a startup, that is either owned or led by women. Nevertheless, this grant can be used for business-related expenses.
How to Apply
Visit the grant web page and fill out the necessary forms.
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FedEx Opportunity Knocks Small Business Grant Contest
To be able to land the grant, you will have to share your visions and the $100,000 awarded in Grants will be useful in starting your business. Part of the judging encompasses the general public voting for the finalists; as such participants might have to promote their businesses while garnering votes.
Requirements
Your business will need to be for-profit and recruit less than 99 employees (including yourself and part-timers).
How to Apply
The application process has well-stipulated entry dates, generally early in the calendar year. There’s an extensive voting process, with final winners announced in the spring.
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Idea Café Small Business Grant
The Idea Café is a free gateway that encompasses a wide range of grants on its site. One of the most viable options in terms of grants is the Small Business Grant, which awards one $1,000 grand prize to a business with the most innovative idea. Visitors to the site are tasked with voting for the winner.
Requirements
You don’t even need to possess your business to be eligible. Winners are decided by votes from the community.
How to Apply
The easiest way to apply is to visit the grant page and complete the necessary forms online.
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InnovateHER
This program has been making available funding via its Innovating for Women Business Challenge. This business challenge is sponsored by the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. Note that the top three finalists split $70,000 in prize money for putting out ideas that have an impact on the lives of women.
Requirements
Have in mind that individual entrepreneurs, corporations, and private entities can enter as long as they are at least 18 years old. They will have to be citizens of the U.S. with businesses in the U.S.
When to apply
Applications start each year in August and end in December. Details on how to apply can be found at www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/resources_articles/3._Competition_Rules_1.pdf
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The Amber Grant Program
Renowned as one of the most flexible among small business grants for women, this particular grant was named after Amber Wigdahl, a young woman who tragically died prior to attaining her business dreams.
WomensNet, the founders of the Amber Grant, makes available two $10,000 grants every month and two year-end grants of $25,000 each. Aside from that, there’s also a startup grant available for very early-stage small businesses and a grant for nonprofits, both of $10,000.
Requirements
Businesses will have to be at least 50% women-owned to be eligible. The business will as well have to be based in either the U.S. or Canada. And the applicant should be at least 18 years old.
How to Apply
To apply, applicants will write short essays describing their business idea and what they intend to do with the grant funds.
Although there are no grants particularly meant for bed and breakfast businesses; however, it is possible to leverage these options noted above to start and run your business. Nevertheless, ensure you research and meet all necessary criteria before you proceed.