7 Types of Grants for Starting a Lawn Care Business
Every lawn care business needs money to get off the ground and grow. From loans to investors, there are a variety of financing options to explore. But, these aren’t your only options.
Lawn care grants are an often overlooked source of funding that can help you expand and build your business.
Keep reading to learn the different types of lawn care grants, how to apply, and what you can use the funding for.
Environmental, recycling, and green grants
There are a ton of different grants out there that reward businesses for sustainable practices. They’re available for businesses that use low emission tools and machines, as well as businesses that reduce waste and contribute to sustainable initiatives.
Consider applying for green grants if you:
- Use electric or hand-powered tools
- Use environmentally friendly lawn care products
- Have a composting program for yard waste
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants are awarded to support projects and programs that protect human health and the environment.
These grants cover a wide range of environmental areas, including air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, environmental research, sustainability, and environmental education.To learn what grant program your lawn care business may be eligible for, visit the EPA website.
Grants for new immigrants
Typically, grants for new immigrants exist on all three levels (federal, state, and local). These grants are often for refugees or new immigrants to the U.S. who have started a small business.
The qualifications for these grants vary depending on who is funding them.
If you’re an immigrant or refugee, it’s worth looking into grants that you may qualify for in your city or state.
Newcomers may also consider the Refugee Microenterprise Development (MED) Program. This program helps refugees start and grow their businesses by providing loans up to $15,000, credit-building opportunities, and business training.
Female founder grants
There are many grants out there designed to help women entrepreneurs build their lawn care businesses.
Some examples include:
Amber Grant
The Amber Grant is designed to help female entrepreneurs realize their business dreams.
Three different grants of $10,000 are awarded monthly, with three separate $25,000 grants awarded at the end of each year.
To apply for these grants, you’ll have to share details about yourself and your business goals. Submitting one application makes you eligible for all grants related to your lawn care business.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative aims to encourage and support women who lead startup businesses with the potential to make a social or environmental impact.
Grant winners will receive up to $100,000 in funding.
In addition to financial support, grant winners benefit from business mentoring, entrepreneurship workshops and networking opportunities.
The Kitty Fund
The Kitty Fund supports mother-owned businesses by awarding 25 grants of $1,000. It was designed to recognize the unique challenges mom entrepreneurs face managing a business while raising a family.
The application usually requires details about your business, your journey as a mom and business owner, and how the grant will be used to further your business goals.
Job creation grants
Job creation grants reward and help businesses who have contributed to creating jobs in a given area. This could mean you employed teens or adults to work for you part-time or full-time from the local community.
If your lawn care business has helped create jobs in your city or town, and you have plans to hire more employees, you may be eligible for this type of grant.
Improvement grants
Improvement grants are meant for businesses that are trying to improve, either through renovations, technology, or upgrades.
Research these types of grants before you upgrade tools, machines, office space, or any other physical aspect of your business.
READ MORE: How to write a lawn care business plan
Young entrepreneurs
Young entrepreneurs grants are awarded to startup founders under a certain age. Some grants are even awarded to teens with small businesses of their own.
Most of the time these grants are local, but you can find state and federal grants as well. If you’re a young person who has started a lawn care business, see which grants you could qualify for before you’re outside of the age limits.
Small business grants
Small business grants are awarded for different reasons, like growing the local economy, or community involvement.
The qualifications and awards vary depending on where you’re looking, but they’re definitely worth checking out as you build your lawn care business.
Some examples include:
Jobber Grants
Jobber Grants is a $150,000 grant program built to recognize excellence in small home services businesses. Grants range from $2,500 to $15,000 and are awarded to 25 home service businesses doing excellent work in their communities.
Mykaell Bratchett, of Messy Lawns, LLC was a 2023 Jobber Grants recipient:
“I’m excited to be receiving a Jobber Grant that will allow me to fulfill my goals of growing my business and making a greater impact in my community.
This grant will go a long way in allowing me to invest in upgraded equipment, hire and train more staff to serve our growing customer base, and mentor those who might want to start their own lawn care businesses one day.
I’m very grateful for Jobber and the work that they do to support small businesses like Messy Lawns.”
Rural Business Development Grant
The Rural Business Development Grant is offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000 and offer financial assistance to small businesses in rural communities.
To qualify for this grant, your lawn care business must have fewer than 50 employees and earn less than $1 million per year.
FedEx Small Business Grant
The FedEx Small Business Grant is awarded annually to help small business owners grow their business.
One $50,000 grant is awarded, along with nine additional $20,000 grants.
To apply, complete an application and create a short video that showcases your business’s values, and how the grant would impact your growth.
To be eligible for the FedEx Small Business Grant, you’ll need to have opened a FedEx business account before September 1st, 2023.
NASE Growth Grant
The NASE Growth Grants awards four winners up to $4,000 each quarter to support the growth of their business.
Funds can be used to hire new lawn care employees, invest in new equipment, or market your business.
To be eligible for a NASE Growth Grant, you must be a NASE member.
How to apply for a lawn care grant
Different grants will have different application requirements, but here’s a general guide on how to apply:
1. Research grants
Research different grants for which your lawn care business is eligible. Look for grants specifically targeted at small businesses, the lawn care industry, green businesses, or community improvement projects.
Websites like Grants.gov, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and local business development centers can be a great place to start.
2. Understand the requirements
Every grant will have their own specific set of requirements. These may include:
- Business size
- Revenue
- Ownership (e.g., minority, woman, veteran-owned)
- Focus (e.g. environmental sustainability)
Make sure you fully understand the grant’s requirements before wasting your time applying for grants you aren’t eligible for.
3. Gather the necessary documents
Depending on the grant’s requirements, you may be required to provide financial statements, proof of business registration and ownership, and a resume or personal essay.
Carefully review the required documentation to make sure you have everything ready before the submission deadline.
4. Submit your application
Follow the instructions provided on how to submit your application. Pay close attention to deadlines, format requirements, and supporting documentation.
5. Follow up
After submitting your application, make a note of any follow-up dates or additional requirements. Some grants may require in-person or online interviews or presentations.
Tips for applying for lawn care grants
To increase your odds of securing grant funding, try these tips:
- Check out your local small business organization
Most cities and towns have a small business organization that exists to help people just like you. These organizations often have a complete list of grants in the area and will be familiar with the qualifications and application process.
Aside from having the tools you’ll need, most of them will have staff that can give you advice, review your applications, and help you to find even more funding options that could be available.
- Be organized
Applying for grants can be a long and arduous process. Make sure that you read over the application and qualifications carefully a couple of times before filling anything out.
Ensure that all required paperwork is in order to avoid delays or disqualifications due to clerical errors.
Always have someone else review the requirements and your application before you submit your proposal to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
- Hire someone to apply for grants for you
Grants can sometimes be a bit tricky to gain access to. In some cases, you need to use the right language and terminology in your proposal to be awarded specific grants.
If you’re new to grant writing, then consider finding a friend or a professional who has experience.
You can always hire someone who has experience in writing grant applications if you don’t have the time to invest in it. One option is to offer them contract-based work for each grant you wish to apply for.
- Ask other lawn care business owners for advice
Don’t be afraid to network a little bit to learn more about grant opportunities and submission help. Check online forums, or ask other small business owners in your city about their experience.
Folks who have been awarded grants might be able to share how they wrote their proposal, or can share which grants they have been successful with in the past.
- Apply for small business tax credits
Aside from grants, you also have other options available to you, such as tax credits. The IRS offers a variety of small business tax credits for small business owners and entrepreneurs, from biodiesel use, to implementing a pension plan.
To see if you may qualify for any, review a comprehensive list of IRS small business tax credits and get the forms you need to claim them.
READ MORE: 30 small business tax deductions to save money when filing
What can you use your grant for?
Lawn care grants can be used for all kinds of different things, depending on the types you apply for.
Your lawn care grants can be used towards things like:
While it can be hard to find lawn care-specific grants, thinking outside the box can lead you to more potential options.
Are you a female founder, young entrepreneur, or immigrant with a lawn care business? Have you helped your community by creating jobs? Does your landscaping business have an eco-friendly aspect?
These are all questions you can ask yourself to find out what types of grants you have the best chance of receiving to help your business move forward and grow.
Originally published in April 2021. Last updated on February 16th, 2024.
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