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TOP 10 BLACK AND MINORITY BUSINESS GRANTS AVAILABLE IN 2014 -- AND MORE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN GENERAL

Thousands of dollars in grant money is available to help aspiring and established small business owners.

2013 Business Grant Recipients of the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneur Series

 Contrary to popular belief, real business grants do exist. In fact, hundreds of Black and minority-owned businesses each year receive such grant funding from various government agencies and non-profit organizations. Such funds do not have to be repaid, but must be used to either start a new business or enhance an existing one. Others can be used for innovation research.

Here are the top small and minority business grant programs available:

#1 - The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is a nationwide competition that will award $50,000 in total to six deserving U.S-based entrepreneurs and business owners. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/fedex_small_business_grant_contest.html

#2 - The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) Growth Grants Program allows business owners to apply for a grant useful for financing a particular small business need. Past recipients used their grant for computers, farm equipment, to hire part-time help, marketing materials and more. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/national_association_self_employed_nase_business_grants.html

#3 - The Dare to Dream Grant Program encourages students to move through the business creation process by offering business development seminars and up to $10,000 in funding. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/dare_to_dream_grant_program.html

#4 - The Miller Lite Tap the Future Business Plan Competition (formally known as the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneur Series) is an annual competition for minority business owners sponsored by MillerCoors. Designed to economically empower minority businesses, the program continues to invest in entrepreneurial dreams to empower urban communities. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/miller_lite_tap_the_future_millercoors_urban_entrepreneur_series.html

#5 - The Small Business Administration (SBA) administers several competitive business grant programs, ensuring that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/sbir_small_business_research_innovation_grants.html

#6 - The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) organizes various angel investors with the primary objective of supporting minority businesses with mezzanine and second round financing. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/minority_business_development_agency_mbda_business_grants.html

#7 - The Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) Program provides grants to finance the development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas. The funds can be used for land acquisition, construction, renovation, technical assistance, project planning, and more. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/rural_business_enterprise_grants_rbeg_program.html

#8 - The Huggies MomInspired Grant Program awards grants and business resources to moms to further the development of original product ideas and startup businesses. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/huggies_mom_inspired_grant_program.html

#9 - The DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is intended to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department's highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance programs. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/dot_disadvantaged_business_enterprise_program.html

#10 - The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides grant funding to small businesses to engage in biomedical or behavioral research/ development that leads to a potential for commercialization. Learn more atwww.businessgrants.org/opportunities/sbir_small_business_research_innovation_grants.html

To learn about more 2014 business grant programs, visit www.BusinessGrants.org