Where can I find an agency in southern california to help me fill out applications for government grants?

Question

Where can I find an agency in southern california to help me fill out applications for government grants?

Answer 1

If you're looking for a grant to start a business, you're barking up the wrong tree.  Grants are for non-profit organizations, usually for specific public benefit purposes.  There are a very few, very small grants to assist women or minorities in starting businesses, but those are usually not enough to fully fund the business.  You can get an SBA-guaranteed loan if you qualify, usually through most banks or credit unions.  Before you apply you WILL need a comprehensive business plan that will address all the concerns the lending officers will have.  

I STRONGLY recommend you contact the Small Business Development Center (at your local community college) and talk to them; the counseling is free.  

Then sign up for the NxLevel Entrepreneurial program...  it's a 12 session course that walks you through the ins and outs of starting or growing your business, and as part of that you will write a business plan.  At the end of the class your plan will be reviewed by a lending professional.  

There is a cost for the NxLevel program but it’s a lot cheaper than losing your investment.

Even if you hire a professional to write your plan, you should still take the NxLevel course.  It saved me from going into a business that would have failed within a year or so, taking my investment with it.  

Business plans may be a pain in the butt to prepare, but without one, your business is doomed to failure.  To start with, you won't know what your startup costs are going to be, what kind of income to expect, what your ongoing expenses are, who your competition is, and even whether or not you can make a profit.  Without a GOOD business plan, you will not be able to get a loan to get your business off the ground.

Answer 2

They are all frauds.  Just go to grants.gov and follow their instructions on how to apply for a grant.