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Small Business Grants for Women

March 30, 2025

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Boosting Female Entrepreneurs: Overview

Of the 33.2 million small businesses in the United States, nearly 13 million of them are owned by women. These businesses employ almost 10 million people and generate nearly $1.8 trillion in annual revenue. Yet, female company founders receive only about 16% of all first-round venture funding capital, according to a Yale School of Management study released in late 2024.

With more women jumping into entrepreneurship, there’s a clear need for funding to support women-owned businesses. These organizations are answering the call.

Key Takeaways

Numerous non-profit organizations regularly award grants to small businesses being launched by or expanded by women owners.
Federal grants are available to small business owners.
Professional business associates for women are a great resource for networking and mentoring.
Don’t overlook funding sources like bank loans and peer-to-peer lending.

Private Small Business Grants for Women

Amber Grant

WomensNet gives away $30,000 in Amber Grant funds every month to a women-owned business or nonprofit. They also award three year-end grants of $25,000 each to one of the 12 monthly winners of the Monthly Amber Grant, the Startup Grant, and the Business Category Grant.

To be eligible, you must be age 18 or older, and your business must be 50% women-owned, operating in the U.S. or Canada. WomensNet’s straightforward process makes it easy to apply—just share your business story and how you plan to use the grant.

IFundWomen Grant

The IFundWomen marketplace has a mission to close the funding gap for women-led businesses. Simply fill out the Universal Grant Application, and anytime IFundWomen partners with a new brand, they’ll match that partner’s grant criteria to businesses in the database. If there’s a match, they’ll notify you immediately.

So far, the program has deployed $170 million in grants to entrepreneurs through partnerships with brands including Visa, Caress, Johnnie Walker, Botox Cosmetic, and Comcast.

Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

The Fast Pitch Competition provides $55,000 in cash grants and more than $100,000 in professional services to tech-focused business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and consumer-focused businesses.

To qualify, the founder/CEO must be a woman or the business must be majority-owned by a woman, and the company must be based in the U.S. It accepts pre-revenue plans but excludes life sciences, nonprofit, and cannabis/CBD companies.

NASE Growth Grant

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) chooses four winners each quarter to receive up to $4,000 in grant support. You can use your grant award for a range of growth purposes, including hiring employees, purchasing equipment, and marketing.

To apply, you must be a NASE member in good standing. The NASE evaluates your application based on identifiable business need, how you plan to use the grant money, and its potential impact on overall business growth and success.

Freed Fellowship Grant

Every month, one small business owner in the U.S. wins a $500 Freed grant to invest in their business. Just by applying, you’ll get feedback on your business and two months of free mentoring in the Freed Studio virtual community.

Winners get access to additional business coaching and a chance to receive an end-of-year bonus grant of $2,500.

HerRise MicroGrant

HerSuiteSpot and The Yva Jourdan Foundation partner to help women of color start or grow a business. The HerRise MicroGrant selects a winner each month to receive $1,000 for business needs such as computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchases, and website creation.

To apply, your business must be currently registered in the U.S., 51% owned by women of color, and have less than $1 million in gross revenue. This grant excludes nonprofits, franchises, direct sellers, authorized resellers, and independent consultants.

FoundHer Program

The FoundHer Program accelerates growth for women-founded businesses in Hawaii. The six-month program includes a $20,000 grant, a $4,000 care stipend, weekly educational workshops, a national network of business mentors and advisors, and monthly retreats.

You must be a for-profit, Hawaii-based small business that is 50% Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women-led. The program focuses in five core markets of Hawaii’s economy: technology, fashion, health and wellness, food systems, and keiki/education.

Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

Any women-run and women-owned business can apply for the Cartier Women’s Initiative award, regardless of country or sector. Your business must demonstrate a strong and sustainable social or environmental impact.

Grants within this program include nine regional awards and two thematic awards: the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award (open to all genders), and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award.

Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

Every year, the Tory Burch Foundation selects 50 promising female entrepreneurs for a year-long fellowship program. The Fellows Program includes coaching and network-building as well as financial assistance for the business.

Launch Program by Ladies Who Launch

If you’re a women- or nonbinary-owned business in the consumer packaged goods sector, check out the Launch Program by Ladies Who Launch. The program provides a $10,000 cash grant, mentorship from industry experts, and six months of free education to support you on your business journey.

Interested businesses must have an annual gross revenue from $100,000 to $499,000 and cannot currently be raising, have previously raised funds from, or intend to seek venture capital or angel investment, or a liquidity event, in the next 12 months.

Women’s Business Development Council Equity Match Grant

For Connecticut residents, the Women’s Business Development Council awards grants from $2,500 to $25,000 to qualified woman-owned small businesses.

The council provides grants to small businesses, startups, and businesses with growth potential, as well as funding for licensed childcare businesses.

High Five Grant for Moms

The Mama Ladder’s High Five Grant program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for mom entrepreneurs to win financial support for growing their businesses. In 2023, The Mama Ladder awarded grants totaling $38,500 to 24 recipients, with a grand prize of $10,000.

Anyone who is a mother and the owner (or 50% co-owner) of a revenue-generating business can apply. This includes foster moms, expecting moms, stepmoms, and mothers of adult children.

Federal Business Grants for Women

Grants.gov

Here you can search an extensive list of available grants, plus get help on how to apply, find available forms, and track your application. The database lists grants from government agencies and funding instruments from the Department of Energy, NASA, Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, Native American tribal governments, and others.

SBIR and SBTT Programs

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs support small U.S. businesses doing research that could lead to new products. To be eligible, a business must be organized in the U.S., mostly owned by U.S. citizens, and have fewer than 500 employees.

STTR involves working with a U.S. nonprofit research institution. STTR has some extra requirements, like agreeing on who owns the ideas that come out of the research and specifying how the work is shared between the small business and the research institution.

Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)

The PRIME program funds state and local nonprofits that assist microentrepreneurs in disadvantaged communities. The focus is on entrepreneurs in rural areas.

PRIME grants typically require at least 50% in matching funds or in-kind contributions from its nonprofit partners. 

Additional Resources for Female Business Owners

Office of Women’s Business Ownership

The Office of Women’s Business Ownership, established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), empowers women entrepreneurs in the U.S. by providing advocacy, outreach, education, and support. Through Women’s Business Centers across the country, the office offers comprehensive training and counseling, access to credit, and marketing opportunities.

DreamBuilder

DreamBuilder offers free online courses in both Spanish and English to help women start or grow their businesses. The program includes a step-by-step framework for launching a small business and a course specifically focused on financing, providing a personalized business plan, and a Capital Action Plan.

Belle Capital USA

Belle Capital USA is an early-stage angel fund investing in fast-growing companies led by women. Their goal is to achieve top returns by working closely with these companies, helping them grow quickly, and prepare for success.

The fund also encourages other women to become early-stage investors, recognizing the significant impact it can have on shaping the funding landscape for startups.

Professional Associations and Industry Organizations

Joining a professional women’s organization can make a massive difference in a woman’s career. Whether you are just starting your professional journey, making a switch to a new field, or considering launching a new enterprise, it’s likely there is an organization that can help. Some professional women’s organizations focus on minorities, some on specific industries, and some are general. Examples include:

Minority Business Development Agency
Asian Women in Business
Association for Women in Science
Financial Women’s Association
American Business Women’s Association
Business and Professional Women International

National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)

The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) advises the president, Congress, and the Small Business Administration on issues affecting women business owners. The NWBC focuses on overcoming challenges like limited access to money. It supports women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through activities like webinars and roundtables, aiming to create a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment.

GrantsForWomen.org

This site hosts a comprehensive directory of all the organizations and foundations that offer grant funding to women. The database includes federal, corporate, private, and professional grants, plus general information about the process.

Funding Alternatives to Small Business Grants

Aside from grants, there are a number of alternative funding options available to businesses, such as:

Traditional bank loans
Microloans
Venture capital and angel investment
Crowdfunding
Bridge loans
Peer-to-peer lending
Term loans

What Defines a Woman-Owned Business?

If your business is at least 51% woman-owned and woman-operated, it can be classified as a woman-owned business. The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) defines two options for official certification: women-owned small business (WOSB) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB).

Businesses may self-certify for free, or obtain certification from a Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved third-party certifier for a fee. The NWBC considers both methods to be valid and equally beneficial.

To qualify as a WOSB, a woman must hold the highest officer position, work at the business full-time, and be involved in making both day-to-day and long-term business decisions for the company. Qualifying as an EDWOSB means meeting all criteria of a WOSB, plus additional income, net worth, and asset requirements.

Obtaining this certification gets you access to federal contracts and economic resources and adds credibility to your grant applications.

How Do I Write a Grant Proposal for a Small Business?

Applying for grants can be a bit of a waiting game. You fill out forms, submit them on time, and then cross your fingers as you wait for the decision from the committee or organization handling your request.

The key to a successful grant application is to follow instructions to a T. Failure to do so could mean removal from the consideration process. If you find the process a bit daunting, consider reaching out to a grant writer.

Follow these tips for a successful grant proposal:

Make sure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Understand and tailor your application to the goals, values, and objectives of the institution offering the grant.
Have a clear goal for why you want the funds and how you’ll use them.
Build your company’s credibility through clear and thorough documentation, including business records, testimonials, and research to back up any claims.

The Bottom Line

Female-run companies still receive disproportionately lower funding than their male counterparts. Many businesses, foundations, government agencies, and organizations have stepped up to address that disparity.

Applying for and winning a grant specifically for female entrepreneurs could boost your business financially, and get you access to mentoring, exposure, and other resources for growth. One day, you may be able to pay it forward by taking an active role in funding the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

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