25 Grants and Sources of Funding for Female Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs face unique challenges when it comes to accessing funding for their businesses. However, there are numerous grants, loan programs, and funding opportunities available to support women in launching and growing their companies. Here’s a comprehensive list of grants and funding sources to help female business owners access the resources they need to thrive.

Amber Grant for Women
The Amber Grant offers $10,000 in monthly grants and a $25,000 year-end grant to female business owners. Additionally, one lucky winner receives a $100,000 grant at the end of the year. Women entrepreneurs in any industry are eligible to apply.
Website: www.ambergrantsforwomen.com

The Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative provides $100,000 in funding for the first-place winner and $30,000 for runners-up. This global competition helps women-led businesses across a variety of sectors.
Website: www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant
Eileen Fisher offers a $100,000 grant to women business owners with a sustainable vision. The grant also includes mentorship and business education to help female entrepreneurs grow.
Website: www.eileenfisher.com

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA provides a variety of funding options for female entrepreneurs, including SBA 7(a) loans, microloans, and specific programs like the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal contracting program.
Website: www.sba.gov

Grants.gov
Grants.gov is a one-stop portal for federal government grants, and while not exclusively for women, it provides a wide array of opportunities for women-owned businesses in sectors like technology, health, and education.
Website: www.grants.gov

The Nike Foundation
The Nike Foundation’s “Girl Effect” initiative offers grants to social enterprises focused on women and girls’ empowerment. They support initiatives that can scale solutions to social challenges, such as economic development, health, and education.
Website: www.nike.com

The Halstead Grant
For women entrepreneurs in the jewelry industry, the Halstead Grant offers $7,500 in funding, along with a matching grant for marketing and business development.
Website: www.halsteadbead.com

InnovateHER Challenge
The InnovateHER Challenge, organized by the SBA, awards up to $70,000 in funding to businesses that have a positive impact on the lives of women and families, with a focus on innovation.
Website: www.sba.gov

Tory Burch Foundation
The Tory Burch Foundation provides funding and support to women entrepreneurs through grants and loans. The foundation also offers a Business Mentorship Program, which is focused on scaling women-owned businesses.
Website: www.toryburchfoundation.org

The Ms. Foundation for Women
The Ms. Foundation supports women entrepreneurs by offering grants focused on advancing social change for women and girls, particularly in underserved communities.
Website: www.ms.foundation.org

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
This government program offers funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. SBIR grants can range from $50,000 to $1 million.
Website: www.sbir.gov

WomensNet
WomensNet is the organization behind the Amber Grant, and it provides a variety of grants and funding opportunities for women, including business grants and scholarships.
Website: www.womensnet.net

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
The NASE provides growth grants of up to $4,000 to its members. These grants can be used for marketing, hiring staff, or purchasing equipment.
Website: www.nase.org

The Wells Fargo Women Entrepreneur Fund
Wells Fargo provides financial resources, grants, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs through its Women Entrepreneur Fund. The bank also supports a series of educational programs for business development.
Website: www.wellsfargo.com

The Business and Professional Women (BPW) Foundation
The BPW Foundation offers various scholarships and grants to women in business, focusing on supporting women in leadership roles or those looking to start their businesses.
Website: www.bpwfoundation.org

The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The AAUW provides fellowships and grants for women entrepreneurs pursuing their business degrees or seeking funding for ventures focused on social change or innovation.
Website: www.aauw.org

Kiva U.S. Loans
Kiva offers zero-interest loans up to $15,000 for female entrepreneurs in the U.S. The loans are crowdfunded by individuals, and they don’t require credit checks or collateral.
Website: www.kiva.org

The Idea Café Business Grant
The Idea Café Business Grant offers $1,000 to entrepreneurs who submit an innovative business idea. Women entrepreneurs can apply and receive funding to bring their ideas to life.
Website: www.businessgrants.org

The Global Fund for Women
The Global Fund for Women provides funding for projects that promote women’s economic development and empowerment. It supports initiatives that challenge social and economic barriers to women’s participation in business.
Website: www.globalfundforwomen.org

Chase for Business: Mission Main Street Grants
Chase for Business offers grants to small businesses, including women-owned businesses, to help them grow and expand. The program offers up to $150,000 in funding, as well as business resources.
Website: www.chase.com

SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
This SBA program helps women-owned businesses access federal contracting opportunities. The program certifies women-owned businesses to compete for government contracts in certain industries.
Website: www.sba.gov

The Rose Fund for Women Entrepreneurs
The Rose Fund supports women entrepreneurs in underserved areas by offering small grants for startup businesses and projects that will improve the local community.
Website: www.therosefund.org

Dream Big Awards by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers the Dream Big Awards, which recognize and support small businesses, including women entrepreneurs, with cash prizes, resources, and public recognition.
Website: www.uschamber.com

The Startup Girl Foundation
The Startup Girl Foundation provides grants, scholarships, and mentorship to women who are starting their businesses. It helps women entrepreneurs find the resources they need to thrive in their respective industries.
Website: www.startupgirlfoundation.org

FLEX Grant Program
FLEX is a grant program that offers financial assistance to female entrepreneurs in the tech and product development sectors, helping them take their businesses to the next level.
Website: www.flextch.com

Female entrepreneurs are making significant strides in every industry, and with these grants and funding sources, they can further accelerate their growth. Whether you’re starting a new business or scaling an existing one, these programs provide essential resources and opportunities to help women succeed. Be sure to carefully review each program’s eligibility requirements and deadlines, and start applying to make your entrepreneurial vision a reality!