Top Small Business Grants and Grant Databases for Women

• What a small business grant is
• What you can do with a female-owned business grant
• Tips on applying for a small business grant for women

What Are Small Business Grants for Women?

5 Small Business Grants for Women

1. Amber Grant for Women

• Must have a business or business idea. The Amber grant is unique because it’s not limited to women who already have an established business. If you’re able to explain how you plan to start and grow a new business, you can apply for this grant. 
• Requires a $15 application fee

2. Cartier Women’s Initiative

• A woman must be the: 
  • Primary leader at the company
  • Founder and majority shareholder of founder equity
• The business must be: 
  • Developing a new technology, process, or scientific discovery 
  • A for-profit business
  • An early-stage business with a proof of concept or prototype that’s already in existence or currently in the works. The final product must not have been commercialized for more than five years.
  • Meet at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
• The applicant must: 
  • Be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline
  • Have a good command of the English language; the grant requires Level B2 and above per the Common European Framework of Reference
  • Commit to participating in the fellowship program

• A woman must be the: 
  • Primary leader at the company
  • Founder and majority shareholder of founder equity
• The business must:
  • Be for-profit
  • Be in the early stages with a proven business model, with one and five years of operations
  • Have generated revenue for at least one year
  • Not have raised more than $2 million in dilutive funding
  • Must meet at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The applicant must:
  • Have a good command of the English language; the grant requires Level B2 and above per the Common European Framework of Reference
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be able to commit to the fellowship program

3. Jane Walker First Women Grant Program

• A person who identifies as a woman must have at least half ownership in the company
• The person applying must be at least 21 years
• The business must: 
  • Have been in operation for at least two years and make at least $25,000 in revenue annually
  • Be willing to push boundaries and fight for diversity
  • Be in one of the following categories:
    • Entertainment and film
    • Hospitality
    • Journalism
    • Music
    • Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
    • Sports

4. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

• The business must: 
  • Be a for-profit organization in early stage (one to five years of operations preferred)
  • Generate revenues of at least $75,000 in the past 12-months
• The applicant must:
  • Identify as a woman
  • Be 21 years of age or older and legal resident of the U.S.
  • Own the biggest or equal stake in a business that is owned or controlled by women
  • Be proficient in English

5. Small Business Administration

• Be certified as a WOSB
• Meets SBA size standards
• At least 51% of the business is owned by U.S. citizens who are women
• Women manage daily operations and long-term decision making

• Meets all WOSB qualifications
• Be run by one or more women who independently have net worths of less than $750,000
• Be run by one or more women with $350,000 or less in adjusted gross income over the past three years
• Be run by one or more women no more than $6 million in personal assets

4 Databases of Resources and Grants for Women Business Owners

1. 37 Angels: While 37 Angels is an investment company, they have compiled a list of other funding and development options. This list includes bootcamps, venture capitalist firms, and other organizations assisting female entrepreneurs.
2. GrantsforWomen.org: This site provides a database of grants and other types of funding for women, not just those in business but also those attending school or in need of funds for different reasons.
3. IFundWomen: IFundWomen offers many crowdfunding resources, grants, coaching, and networking opportunities. They also provide unique opportunities within specific fields and AAPI-, Black-, Latinx and Hispanic-, and queer-owned businesses. In addition, they offer a universal application, so one 20-minute application qualifies you for most of their grants.
4. National Women's Business Council: The NWBC offers a list of resources female business owners may find helpful, including grant opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

What About Federal Grants for Women Business Owners?

What Can You Do With Small Business Grants for Women?

• Adding a new product line
• Buying equipment like a computer, commercial mixer, or cash register
• Covering inventory
• Creating a product prototype
• Expanding into larger commercial real estate
• Hiring employees
• Investing in marketing
• Launching a business

Tips for Applying for a Female-Owned Business Grant

1. Get Organized

• Read through all qualifications and deadlines upfront.
• Keep a spreadsheet of grants, requirements, and deadlines so you can stay on top of filling out applications on time. 
• Allow plenty of time for research, putting together a budget, and filling out paperwork.
• Note: Very few grant-giving organizations require an application fee. If the one you're interested in is asking for such a fee, do some additional digging to ensure the grant is legitimate. For instance, Amber Grants for Women requires a small fee to help keep the grant active; however, you can contact them to ask about waiving your fee.

2. Don't Ignore Small Grants

3. Write a Grant Proposal

4. Share What’s Great About Your Business

5. Review Your Application for Perfection

Grants Can Provide Women Entrepreneurs With Necessary Capital

Other Financing Options for Women Business Owners