FAQ
Applying & taxes
What funders check, how to apply efficiently, and the tax question every winner asks.
- What do funders check before they give a business grant?
- The same handful of things, every time: that your business legally exists (state registration if you have an entity, plus an EIN and a business bank account), your financials (a recent tax return or P&L — projections are fine for new businesses), a specific use-of-funds statement, and good financial and legal standing. Assemble that kit once and you can apply to any program in about 20–30 minutes.
- Do I need to register on SAM.gov?
- Only if you're applying for federal money directly (like a USDA grant). SAM.gov and its UEI are free, but registration can take time — start about a month before a federal deadline, and don't bother registering until a specific federal program is actually in your sights. Private grants (Verizon, Amber, NASE) don't need SAM — just an EIN, a W-9, and a bank account.
- Are business grants taxable?
- Generally, yes. Funders say so themselves — NASE notes business grants are 'subject to both federal and state income tax,' and Verizon's administrator issues a Form 1099. This isn't tax advice: plan to set aside a portion of any grant you win and consult a tax professional about your specific situation. A common planning habit is reserving roughly a quarter to a third until a professional confirms.
- What's the most efficient way to apply to a lot of grants?
- Build the reusable kit once, write a two-paragraph story about your business, and apply in batches. Reuse your use-of-funds statement and story across applications, tailoring only the specifics. Treat grants as windfalls, not a plan — never pay more than a trivial disclosed fee, and don't let one application eat a whole week.
Applying gets dramatically easier once your kit exists. Get ready first — the grant-ready guide walks through the whole checklist — then batch your applications.
Next step
Get matched when we launch
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