grow your business
8 Amazing grants for women entrepreneurs with small business
What are grants?
A grant is a financial award that is given to an individual or organization to support a specific project or activity which does not need to be paid back. Grants are typically awarded by government agencies, private foundations, or corporations.
There are many different types of grants, but they typically fall into one of two categories:
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Project grants are awarded to fund a specific project or activity. The grantee must use the funds for the specific purpose that was stated in the grant application.
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Operating grants are awarded to support the ongoing operations of an organization. These grants can be used for a variety of purposes, such as salaries, rent, and utilities.
How to apply for a grant?
To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must meet the specific eligibility requirements of the grant program. These requirements may vary depending on the grant program, but they could include things like having a sound financial plan, and having a track record of success, meeting certain demographic criteria and so on.
The application process for grants can be lengthy and competitive. Applicants must typically submit a grant proposal that includes information about their project or organization, their budget, and their track record of success. The grant proposal will then be reviewed by a panel of experts who will decide if the applicant is eligible for the grant.
Here are some additional tips for finding and applying for grants:
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Start early. The application process for grants can be lengthy, so it’s important to start early. Mostly all grants have set deadlines and do not accept applications after the deadline
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Do your research. Before you apply for a grant, make sure you understand the eligibility requirements and the application process.
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Be clear and concise. When you’re writing your grant application, be clear and concise about your business and your goals. Grant organizations get several applications and the more your application content resonates with the judges, the more chance for your application to be selected.
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Highlight your impact. Explain how your business will make a positive impact on the local economy, the community and the world.
8 Best Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
Below is the list of the top 8 grants for women entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their small business to the next level. Some of these grants also cater to women business owners starting new businesses.
I have listed each grant below with all the details, but you can also skip to the bottom of the blog for a video summarzing the same. You can also download a table with all the grants information from our Resources section!
1. Amber Grant by WomensNet
Amber Grant is founded by WomensNet in 1998 to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl who was a young woman who died at just 19 years old, before realizing her business dreams. offers monthly grants of $10,000 and annual grants of $25,000 to women-owned businesses.
Each month their judges review all the applications and select 5 finalists. One of those finalists is then selected for $10,000 Amber Grant grant winner and the other 4 finalists each receive $1,000 grants. The great part is that the $10,000 Amber Grant winner each month qualifies for the year-end grant of $25,000.
Eligibility Criteria
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At least 50% women-owned
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Based in either US or Canada
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Must be minimum of 18 years old
Grant Award Types:
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Following is the list of Amber grants offered currently:
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Monthly Amber Grant for $10,000 – one winner each month
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Annual Amber Grant for $25,000 – two winners each year
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The Start up Grant – $10,000 winner each quarter
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The Non Profit Grant – $10,000 winner each quarter
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Business Category Grants – $10,000 winner each month. Check out the various business categories listed here.
They also have a Marketing Grant where they give hands on marketing marketing help to a selected women-owned business. It includes strategic sessions with: Members of their AdvisoryBoard and other “friends of WomensNet,” and Professional agency support in developing and executing a marketing plan.
The best part of it all is that you need to submit just one application and it automatically allows you to be considered for all grants.
2. SoGal Foundatio
SoGal Foundation began in 2015 with a mission to redefine the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs and investors as noted on their website. They offer several $10K and $5K cash grants to Black women or nonbinary entrepreneurs. Their awardees also get tactical help from the organization by giving a “ask me anything” lifetime access to the SoGal Foundation and SoGal Ventures teams
Grant Award Types
SoGal Foundation offers several different $10K and $5K cash grants.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria is as follows:
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Self-identify as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur (inclusive of multiracial Black women and multiracial Black nonbinary folks)
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have a legally registered business
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plan to seek investor financing in order to scale, now or in the future
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have a scalable, high-impact solution or idea with the ambition to be the next billion dollar business
3. Cartier Women’s Initiative Award
Cartier Women’s Initiative Award is an annual international entrepreneurship grant program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. The program was founded in 2006 by Cartier and is open to women entrepreneurs from any country that aim to have a strong and sustainable social and/or environmental impact.
Grant Award Types
Cartier offers grants of varying amounts via several different grant program. Below is the list:
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Regional awards – There are 9 separate regional categories: Oceania, South & Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Anglophone and Lusophone Africa, Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America & the Carribean
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Science & Technology Pioneer Award – This grant recognizes women impact entrepreneurs at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. Women entrepreneurs from any country and sector are eligible for this award. Per Cartier, this category grant focuses on disruptive solutions built around unique, protected, or hard-to-reproduce technological or scientific advances that require heavy R&D, a long commercialization cycle, high capital intensity, technology risk, and complexity.
For both grants, Entrepreneurs representing the top three businesses from each of the above mentioned nine regions, receive grants in the amounts of:
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$100,000 for the first awardee
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$60,000 for the second awardee
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$30,000 for the third awardee
Aside from the the money grants, Cartier also awards their winners with human capital support such as 1-1 training in specific business areas, community peer learning and networking sessions etc
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for each category is different but the key items include:
- Women-owned and women-led impact-driven business entrepreneurs
- Should be for-profit
- Business should be in early stages – between 1 to 6 years of licensed/registered operations as of the date of application
- Should be generating recurring revenue for at least 1 year as of the date of the application
- For the entire list of eligibility criteria visit Cartier’s Regional award eligibility criteria and Cartier Science & Technology Pioneer Award
4. Tory Burch in Partnership with Fearless Fund
The Tory Burch Foundation’s mission is to empower women and women entrepreneurs by providing them access to capital, education and digital resources of many types. Their Women of Color grant program offers grants in the amounts of $10,000 and $20,000 to 75 women of color-owned businesses each year. They partner with Fearless Fund organization on these grants.
Grant Award Types
This grant offeres awards of $10,000 and $20,000 to 75 women of color-owned businesses each year.
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for the grant is as follows:
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Business must be at least 51% woman of color-owned
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Should be a for-profit business
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Should have been in business 1 to 5 years
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Formed and being operated in the US
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Revenue generating business with a minimal revenue of $100,000 strongly preferred
Aside from the grant amounts, the grantees also receive access to self-paced learning portal with educational resources from both partner organizations
Below is a helpful table of the grants mentioned above with grant award amounts, eligibility criteria and deadlines.
5. Fearless Fund’s Fearless Strivers Grant
The Fearless Foundation’s mission is to advance the progression for people of color by reducing racial inequities and providing access to capital. They currently have two grant programs – the Women of Color grant program in partnership with Tory Burch which I mention above and Fearless Strivers Grant contest.
As part of this program, Fearless Fund in collaboration with Master Card will be awarding four small businesses across the country with $20,000 grants, digital tools to help them grow their business online, and mentorship so they can continue to bolster their business.
Grant Award Types
Fearless Fund in collaboration with Master Card will be awarding four small businesses across the country with $20,000 grants.
Eligibility criteria:
The eligibility criteria for the grant is as follows:
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Black women entrepreneurs
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legal US residents
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Must be 18+ years old
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The business must be a US based small business
Complete list of eligibility rules can be found here.
6. Halstead Grant
Halstead Grant is offered by Halsteadbead.com was started in 2006 and it’s mission is to encourage and promote small jewelry businesses. The Halstead grant is offered as an annual award for silver jewelry artists. Applicants submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. The grand prize is a $7,500 cash grant plus other benefits. The deadline is May 1st.
Grant Award Types
Their awards are:
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New jewelry designer working primarily in silver with a grand prize consists of $7,500 in start-up capital and $1,000 in merchandise as well as recognition in the industry.
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Additionally, they award 4 finalists who receive $1,000 and help promote their business
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the grant is as follows:
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Individuals pursuing a full-time career in jewelry. Not a side hustle
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US citizens and Permanent Residents
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Business was started within the last 5 years
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Applicants needs to be jewelry artist entrepreneurs and are expected have jewelry making skills, regardless of how they are acquired
Complete list of grant rules and FAQs can be found here
7. HerSuiteSpot Grant
HerSuiteSpot’s mission is to provide women entrepreneurs of color with resources that enables them to reach their dream of economic success in business and entrepreneurship.
HerSuiteSpot offers HerRise Micro-Grant which provides financial assistance, with the help of their corporate sponsors and donors, to Women of Color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business.
Grant Award Types
Each month one $1,000 micro-grant is awarded to a small business owner.
Eligibility criteria for the grant
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Businesses should be 51% owned by women of color
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Businesses should be currently registered in the US
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Non-profits, franchise, direct seller, authorized reseller or independent consultant not eligible
You can apply for the grant here.
8. High Five Grant for Moms
Founded by two moms entrepreneurs at themamaladder.com in 2018 with a mission to help women around the world thrive at the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurship. The HighFive Grant is an international grant program that supports promising mom entrepreneurs who want to break free from the corporate ladder and enjoy their family more.
Grant Award Types
Grant awards are offered in the following amounts:
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$25,000 grand prize award
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$10,000 first runner up award
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$5000 second runner up award
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the grant is as follows:
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You are a mother! This grant is exclusively for women caregivers with human child(ren) of all ages. This includes first-time expecting moms, stepmoms, and foster moms.
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You own at least 50% of a for-profit product or service-based business and are serious about growth.
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You can verify earning business revenue in the past 12 months.
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You know the WHY behind your business, and will share it with the world
The complete list eligibility criteria and all information regarding the grant can be found on their grant page.
Below is a helpful table of the grants mentioned above with grant award amounts, eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Summary
Many business owners think it is unreal and not possible to get grant awards to grow their business, but that is not true. It is very much possible. A little bit of planning and effort can help you win a grant which can help you take your business to that next level.
