Grants for Small Business Guidebook
What can grants NOT be used for?

Executive summary

• Grant limitations vary depending on the grant type and will always be listed in the Applicant Guide. 
• Make sure you’re aware of what you cannot get funding for before you apply for the grant to properly set expectations.
• Avoiding ineligible expenses in your applications and claims will give you a good reputation with the program and increase your likelihood of getting approved in the future.

Grant programs have mandates that outline exactly what they are allowed to support. Accordingly, there are certain things that each program cannot fund. It’s important to know the program’s limitations to avoid including ineligible expenses in your application or your claims. These limitations differ per program type, so let’s take a look at what hiring, training, and market expansion grants cannot be used for. 

What do Hiring grants not cover?

1. Vacation pay
2. Bonuses
3. Contractors (employees not on payroll)

What do Training grants not cover? 

1. Tuition
2. Costs that are also covered by scholarships
3. Apprenticeships
4. Practicums
5. Coaching

What do Market Expansion grants not cover?

1. Operational expenses such as equipment, warehousing, and rent. 
2. Costs associated with writing or developing a business plan.
3. The staff time and wages required to manage and execute an expansion project. 
4. Costs associated with setting up an office in a new location. 
5. Expenses incurred prior to the project start date.

This list is not all-encompassing. Grant programs vary from one another, however, the points above are common limitations of each grant type. If you’re looking for grant funding but aren’t sure how to work with these limitations, Granted is here to help.