With the economy the way it is having a good grand writer is important. It's also one of those things that you wouldn't necessarily need a FT person for your own business. So subcontracting would be a resolution to the small businesses. If you have any sort of experience in grant writing this could keep you quite busy.

This brings up a good point. Is anyone aware of any grants for the virtual assistant industry? Share your sources to finding grants. This could be a topic in itself. Let me know if you would be intersted in having this as one of our monthly topics.

I don't know of any grants specific to the VA industry, but I have explored grant and bursary opportunities for women in small business and self-employment initiatives.

The grants I have explored have been through the Canada Business Link and the Alberta Business Link - which have links to various grant and bursary opportunities on their websites. The criteria are generally for those seeking loans or other funding and have quite stringent terms and requirements.

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge

I heard that it's very hard for small businesses to find grants these days. The SBA stopped giving grants a while ago (at least to small businesses, although we're still working from one on the non-profit side). Around here, everyone goes after Tourism Grants without too much trouble (I live in a 4-seasons resort community and tourism is pretty much the area's main source of income). If you do any kind of work that deals with non-profits, environmental issues or that sort of thing, it may be possible to look to the USDA or one of those types of government agencies for grants.

But, as far as just a general grant for small businesses go, the only ones I've ever come across seem to be in place for people that seem to be between a rock and a hard place or for single mother's. However, I would love to be kept in the loop on this topic.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

You are probably correct. I would be curious if those VAs offering training and certifications have anymore opportunites than the average VA practice. I honestly don't know because I'm not a grant writer myself I just work for a school district.

Hi Collette,

I would be interested in grant writing as a monthly topic.

The only grant I am aware of for women in small business was from a prior thread from here. I'm sure there are others. (Keyword 'grant' in the search box for other suggestions.)

I have never come across a grant for virtual assistants; only for small businesses and some specific to women in small business.

Janine

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I am working on a couple of grant projects but they are for nonprofits. If I find any related to VA industry, I will certainly post.