WHY DESIGN FIRMS LOVE CLIENTS WITH GRANT FUNDING

 

When a small business comes to a firm ready to get started on design material, often times the small business is just starting out and does not have a large budget. However, there are ways for start-ups to get the funding their company deserves – with grant funding.

 

WHAT IS A GRANT?

A grant is a government funded project. If your business has an idea, or needs to complete an important project, you can apply for funding for your business/project. The key is that you must apply, and the process is thorough – the government will not give away “free money” without making sure the project is worthy of funding.

 

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF GETTING A GRANT?

Getting a government grant is a multi-step process. First, you must create a proposal and apply, then the government must review and decide. If your grant is accepted, you’ll be notified and awarded the grant funds. Once implemented, final reports and a closeout finalize the process.

 

 

YOUR FIRST GRANT CHECKLIST

Grants.gov provides all the information you’ll need to familiarize yourself with what grants are, the “grant lifecycle”, eligibility, which grants you can/should apply for, and how to apply for the grant. Grants.gov provides a checklist for you to get started on finding and applying for your first grant.

□ Familiarize yourself with the overall Grants Lifecycle

□ Determine your eligibility for funding opportunities on Grants.gov

□ Identify the right types of funding opportunities for you

□ Learn about the reporting requirements you will need to comply with if awarded funding

□ Search for the specific grant you will apply for

□ Confirm that you are eligible to apply for that grant

□ Register with Grants.gov

□ Apply for the grant

 

The second item on that checklist is highly important. Before you go through the application process, it’s important to establish if you’re eligible for the specific grant you’d like to apply to, or if you’re eligible for any funding opportunities from the government.

 

 

INDUSTRIES THAT OFTEN APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING:

  • Education
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Agriculture
  • Housing
  • Health
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Medical Research
  • Transportation
  • Science & Technology Research
  • Social Services
  • Energy
  • Employment, Labor and Training
  • Disaster Prevention and Relief
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Community Development
  • Business/Commerce

 

 

DESIGNERS LOVE WORKING WITH GRANT FUNDING

Once you’re ready to spend your grant money, you’ll need to find a design firm that will do the work to fit your project specifications and budget. Design firms love working with clients that have grant funding – not only because the budget is already set and financially guaranteed, but it also opens up the door for the design team to dream up other ideas for the client to get more grant funding for other projects.

 

Grant funding, if done correctly, is a “win-win” situation for both the design team and the client, as the projects are pre-funded – the design team is earning the money, and the client is spending money given to them by the government.

 

Have a new business that needs design and marketing materials? Grant funding or not, we’re able to make your brand reach its full potential. If you do have grant money to spend, ocreations can help GRANT all of your design wishes!