I was in your shoes 5 years ago. Working for a hospital without funding for a center. I did write a few grants and actually knocked on a few doors for seed monies- which I did get. Writing grants can be tricky depending on what type of entity you work for- profit or non-profit. Having writen many grants, I know that with hospitals you will have to go thru the layers for signatures because it is the hospital that ends up responsible for the grant- meaning... they have to do all the reports that are required for grants.
I found it much easier to get "gift" monies, and go after contracts to provide services for groups. Who would give you monies??? Well I went to the large business, rotary clubs, and women's foundations. Because you live in a rural area... you may find it easier to find monies as you are in a "lack of services" area. I would do my homework to find out how much you would actually need, how many pumps do you want to rent, how many do you need to sell. Please do not go thru the route that you have xx number of women having babies thus 90% will be needing your services. Look at the number of bf moms and how many of them needed your services while at the hospital, and how many will be going back to work. Not everyone will be buying the $30/bra. Not everyone will buy a pump. Unless you want to be one of those centers that loads mom with things she "must have" when she just needs breastfeeding help...
Develop your business plan. What would be the hours, who would run it, how will you maintain it, and what will be the services. Then with that information you can determine how much you will need. Be realistic and be small. I started out with 10 pumps and went to 40. I can't grow anymore because I don't have the space. I don't have a store front- I have a closet. Clients make an appt for bf help, and I have supplies to help that I bring to them- they would never go into my closet. I have grants and contracts that totally support the efforts plus some. I also bring in enough monies now to cover what I want to do. Most of my clients don't have to pay for a consult because of that.
So- keep the faith- develop a plan and then figure the costs. I'd be happy to send you my presentation to the hospital and what I used when looking for seed monies. Feel free to contact me at rpalting@umcaz.edu
good luck- Renee
