The SBA has a few interesting programs. Did you ever hear about this particular one?
"The Small Business Administration began development of the Microloan Program in 1992. Its goal of increasing the availability of loans to small-business borrowers is achieved through the use of private, non-profit intermediaries. These intermediaries provide new and existing borrowers with very small loans. They are comfortable with the background and needs of small borrowers and provide loan amounts that larger loan programs would generally not be interested in. They have propelled the program's success and enabled it to receive permanent status in 1997. '
Jamie, who is a consultant for the US Government, wrote a very informative Microloan article over at Business.Gov. You should read it...
