Grant Funding For Pet Care Service Industry
Government and Private Grants available to the animal and pet care industry may be limited due to a lowering economy, but funding is still possible. Depending on the goals of the small business you may be a able to qualify for several small grants to fund a larger project.
Instructions
1. Develop a basic business plan. Make sure to determine your goal of starting your dog kennel or training facility business before starting the grant finding process. This is because when you start applying for grants you may decide to add extra services to your business to obtain more grant money, if you already know your goal you can avoid over stretching yourself. For instance you may find a grant to help endangered Beagles, as long as your main goal is not effected you may want to consider on adding that on to your objectives. Beware if you adding to many services to a start up business, grant founders my suspect you are starting out to big and will not grant funds. It is best to plan to start small with a plan of action to go big.
2. Know your demographics and your competition in the the area when applying for grant funding. It will be important for the foundation to know if your target market is feasible. Grants usually only cover a short time period, so they like to be re-insured that the facility they help start can survive on their own.
3. Determine what your basic needs of start up costs are. While these will change, it is important to go ahead and start a list. Because of a dropping economy many small businesses are going out of business, including non profits. Many may have supplies that they no longer need. Many times there is equipment that they just need someone to come and get to move it out of their way. So keep your list updated and keep a eye out for facilities that are closing their doors. Even though this is not considered grant funding, finding low cost and no cost items to start your business will lower you start up costs. Before awarding grant money foundations will determine if the applicant is a good steward of money. Being frugal with the money you have will help show this.
4. Go to grants.gov and search for grants that are offered to groups or individuals for dog or other animals. Go ahead and look in your area but also look state and country wide. You will want to do this to get an idea of what is out there in grant programs. If a area you do not live in has grant programs for a area your looking for, contact the same or similar organization in your area. While they may not have the same grant available they may have some that is not posted or may be interested in your new start up business. If interested in the business they may be able to give pointers, which sometimes are far more valuable then money.
5. Look for private grant funding for your dog kennel/training facility business. Many publications offer lists that include large private foundations that offer grants. Go ahead and look for businesses and groups that have interest in the animal and pet care, but do not limit yourself there. Many people assume that a candy factory would have no interest in a dog training facility, this may be wrong if the CEO is a avid "Dog Person". When trying to find grant money for a no-kill shelter I went to foundation to foundation with only gathering a little sum. I happened to notice one of the CEO's to a publishing company belonged to a animal activist group. I sent him a letter and followed up with a call. I ended up with funding within two weeks.
6. Look beyond the outline of your business to find grant funding. With the economy being down, some grants have disappeared and are reinvested in areas such as unemployment and community development. While the grants will word different, there is no reason not to apply to those you are willing to up keep. Contact your local career center that works with unemployment to find out how you can get grant money for hiring individuals from the unemployment line. Small grants are usually available for hiring individuals with the skills you are seeking. Grants large enough to cover a employees wage plus administration fees can also be available for hiring individuals that will gain marketable skills while working for you.
7. Organize fundraisers. If your dog boarding/training facility has anything to do with rescue or sheltering of animals in need consider, starting a annual fundraiser. Every penny received can add up fast. Although, I have to say that the free advertisement you will receive is much more profitable then the donations raised.
8. Get accredited through the American Boarding and Kennel Association after your business is set up. If you need to look for grant assistance after you have started you business, grant founders want to know that the business there help funding is legitimate. When not all board members will be knowledgeable in kennels and training programs a accreditation will help calm fears.
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