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 Although SCORE does not provide grants, prospective business owners frequently submit questions about obtaining grants to start a business.  The following information may clarify the grant question for those interested.

 The U.S. Small Business Administration is only authorized to work with for profit ventures and is not involved in business startup grants.  SCORE, a resource partner with the SBA, follows the same general rules, but frequently assists non profits with business problems.

 Very few grants go to businesses organized for the purpose of making a profit and these are primarily for research and development in significant areas. 

 Only about 2% of grants go to individuals.  Grants primarily go to tax exempt non-profit organizations to support their activities.  Some of this money may be distributed as cash awards to individuals, but this usually is for cultural, educational or charitable purposes.  Few non-profit groups exist to foster businesses intending to earn a profit.

 While SCORE does not have information on grants there are good sources available.  The best in this area is:

             Foundation Center Coordinator

            Tulsa City County Library

            400 Civic Center

            Tulsa OK 74103

            918-596-7940

 Excellent sources of grant information may be accessed on-line without charge.  Some of these are:

             www.tulsalibrary.org/foundation_center  – click on Research Tools, Tulsa Organizations & Services, Subject and search Foundations for grant information

 www.grantmakersofoklahoma.org – provides information on 242 Oklahoma foundations

 www.govbenefits.gov – select Relevant Categories and browse by category

 www.grants.gov – a central clearinghouse for grants sponsored by government agencies

 www.cfda.gov – provides information on writing grant proposals

 www.foundationcenter.org – provides a searchable database of over 80,000 grant makers

 The Tulsa Library Foundation Center Coordinator can provide information on many additional sites.