Grant Applications for 2015 Awards Now Being Accepted; Grants to Increase from $20k in 2014 to over $48k in 2015 for Entrepreneurs and Small Employers DALLAS, TX – The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, today announced the expansion of the association’s Growth Grant program to help small business across the country increase capacity and grow their company to the next level.  In 2015, NASE is expanding the Growth Grant program to award over $48,000 in small business grants, an increase from the $20,000 awarded in 2014.  “It is critical for us to support and recognize small business owners and sole proprietors who are exemplifying America’s entrepreneurial spirit.  By the expansion of our Growth Grant program in 2015, we are making a statement that we believe in these small businesses and want to invest in their future,” said John Hearrell, Vice President of Membership and Affiliate Programs.  “Our Growth Grant winners in the past have used these additional funds for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities and other critical investments needed to grow their business to the next level.” Since 2006, the NASE has awarded over half a million dollars to members through the Growth Grant program by providing small business grants.  NASE’s Growth Grant program is intended for businesses planning to take the next step in their venture.  It provides available capital for small businesses and sole proprietors to be able to hire and train additional employees, market their business in new and existing ways or invest in new equipment or software.  Applications for the NASE’s 2015 Growth Grant program are currently being accepted from now through December 10th, 2015.  Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year and winning small businesses will be awarded $4,000 grants monthly throughout 2015.  Visit the Growth Grant page for more information or apply online. For more information on additional scholarships available from NASE, please click here. NASE members also enjoy a comprehensive list of benefits designed to help small business owners and sole proprietors start and grow their business.  A complete listing of benefits available to NASE members is available, here.  NASE members are offered a host of resources designed to help support entrepreneurs and small employers including access to professional “Ask the Experts” services in tax, health care and marketing, a navigational assistant health care portal, scholarships and grants, discounts on shipping rates and affordable email marketing systems and webhosting services. NASE’s newest member benefits continue the tradition of providing real-world, bottom-line assistance to small business owners.  To become a member of NASE, apply online here. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE Small Business Locator helps identify and connect our nation’s smallest businesses. In addition, NASE’s new health care portal helps small business owners navigate the nation’s health care marketplace. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's website at NASE.org