U.S. Chamber of Commerce updates weekly list of federal grants and funding programs

Finding money for your growing business can be a daily challenge. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation, updates its weekly list of active grants for owners looking to start or expand. Thousands of federal opportunities are waiting on Grants.gov for qualified companies to apply. Not all assistance flows directly from Washington to your shop. Some funds go to state agencies, local nonprofits, and universities that hand out money or provide technical help on the ground. You might qualify for more than one program depending on your exact setup. Acceptance of Free money from the government comes with a fair amount of paperwork. Applying for grants can take serious time and requires strict reporting and auditing down the road. The federal government also spends billions on goods and services through a competitive bidding process. The Small Business Administration runs the Natural Resource Sales Assistance Program to set aside surplus property and natural resources for small businesses only. In addition to government cash, many nonprofits and large corporations run grant programs open to specific industries or entrepreneur profiles. Check the updated lists often to see which programs fit your exact business model. Review your options carefully before diving into stacks of applications.