How to acquire nonprofit startup grants (fundraising)
Have an amazing business idea?! Well, a lot of people do and often times, they need startup funding. If you are one of these people who think you’re startup has what it takes to hit the charts here’s a list of ways to gain funds for your new startup or fundraiser.
- Bootstrapping
This is a fairly common way to get a business started. You use your own money to start up the business, often times the money comes from low or ihigh nterest loans, personal savings, mortgages and lines of credit attached to your house. Receiving a free credit report will help you see where you are financially and knowing how much interest rates you’ll get on your loans. Unfortunately if you’re startup fails you will be left with a mountain of debt and a broken heart. This is why so many people hate this form of fund raising.
- Obtain a tiny business loan.
There’s a ton of banks that provide loans catering to small businesses. But banks have a track record of being selective when it comes to the compiles they choose to give money too. Be very careful with these loan lending companies. Some give you high interest rates and are predatory. Think twice before signing onto a loan.
- Trade services or equity.
Do you need a website? Need someone to market your products? See if someone you know can do the job of promoting your startup and in return do some work for them or give them advice on topics they need help with and you are knowledgeable about. In almost every city there’s an abundance of communities and business owners who work together.
- Incubator or Accelerator
Business incubators and accelerators have popped up all over the country, especially near colleges with active business programs. These spaces are mentorship development centers combined with communal workspaces. They’re perfect with other people and companies. Unfortunately, the majority of them work with technology businesses so you might not be able to find one that works for you or stuggle to find one.
- Try crowdfunding.
If your idea sparks the interest of a lot of people, and you are good at or willing to learn about marketing on social media you should try crowdfunding. Sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter are great places to start and have a history of helping others get their businesses off the ground. Unfortunately, there’s a fricd number of competition against you, and they’re all in it for the same goal you are. So you need a lot of fame and attention in order to get the amount of support you want. You could also overwork yourself and enrage your backers which can hurt your relationship with them, or you could fail to get the fundraising you need.
Which way do you pefer to obtain startup funding, did you try any of these yet or plan to? Make sure to check Giving Tuesday and also tell us in the comment section below and don’t forget to share us with other startup owners!
