How to Get Funds for Business in Tough Times: Describing Problem, Solution and Result Will Give You a Better Chance for Grant

Nov. 24--Even in economic times like these, the government gives some $100 billion in grants to businesses every year, consultant Liz Powell said at a recent Small Business Development Center seminar at the Akron Global Business Accelerator.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the country," she told the entrepreneurs and executives of young, hopeful start-ups. State and federal legislators "know they need you as much as you need them."

But there are ways a company can increase its chances of getting a piece of the pie.

Timing topped Powell's list of tips, and she said now through the end of the year is the time to "get ready" for next year's budget cycle by honing a concise message for legislators from whom you will be seeking support.

Powell, owner of G2G Consulting, spent several years working for legislators in Washington, D.C. There, she found the most successful grant writers are those who can clearly state "problem, solution, results."

"What problem are you trying to address? Get numbers in there so they know you did your homework. What is your solution? Be clear about who you serve and how you would improve society with your solution. And if you get funding, what results will you see?

"If you can't answer these questions, you probably aren't ready to ask for funding," she said.

Making contacts

This also is a good time to start making contact with your congressional representatives because from March through the summer, they'll be making pitches to committees to get money for their districts.

"You want to make sure your representative knows how important your project is so they get you on their list," Powell said.

But expect to have very limited time to speak to a legislator or his or her staff. If you've only got 10 minutes to get your point across, there won't be time to explain the science of what you do.

"Problem, solution, results," Powell repeated. "That's what they want to hear."

State budgets are on a different timeline, she said. Capital projects alternate with service-related projects every other year.

So your project will dictate which year you seek money, and because state budgets are done by summer, the entire process moves more quickly.

There also are many grants to be found at 26 federal agencies, and in that case, it's the agency you'll want to court.

Nurture relationships with people on the inside and you'll find sources eager to alert you to new opportunities as they arise, Powell said.

See what kind of grants federal agencies have available at http://www.grants.gov.

Partnerships help

In almost any case, you'll turn more heads if your project involves a partnership with a nonprofit, a university or another company.

And if your partnership expands your geographic reach, you'll bring in a whole new group of supporters.

John Finley, president of MemPro Ceramics, said he has no doubt his collaboration with the University of Akron helped land three National Science Foundation grants totaling $700,000 over two years.

The company is working with UA to use polymer processes in making unique ceramic filters that can capture undesirable particles while removing gaseous pollutants from the environment.

MemPro now is seeking partnerships with engine makers to develop filters for use in lawn and garden equipment.

UA helped MemPro write its first grant application, and the university's experience was invaluable, Finley said.

"We thought it was going to be pretty challenging. We had not been through the process before," Finley said.

Afterward, he said he had the confidence to write the next two proposals and was buoyed by encouragement from project managers assigned to him from NSF.

"The phase one application proposal really convinced them we had something unique and it was worth exploring," Finley said. Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.

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