US Business Funding Guides
Plain-English guides to lenders, eligibility, and costs — so you can walk into a funding decision already knowing the answers.
Business Loans
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Short-Term vs Long-Term Business Loans: Cost and Cash-Flow Fit
Short-term business loans typically cost 18-60% APR over 3-18 months with daily or weekly payments, while long-term loans range 7-18% APR over 2-10 years with monthly payments. Short-term loans fit immediate cash-flow gaps like inventory purchases or bridging receivables, but their higher rates and frequent payments can strain liquidity.
Small Business Grants: Where to Find Them and When a Loan Fits Better
Small business grants exist, but true federal cash grants to individual for-profit small businesses are rare. Most real opportunities sit at the state, local, utility, or private foundation level, plus a narrow set of federal programs like SBIR/STTR and SBA pilot awards that go to specific sectors or intermediaries.
CDFI Business Loans: Funding for Startups and Underserved Businesses
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) provide business loans specifically designed for startups and underserved businesses that traditional banks often reject. These mission-driven lenders offer flexible underwriting, relationship-based approval processes, and loan amounts typically ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 with APRs around 7-18%.
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