7 Best Grants for Women Entrepreneurs in 2024

Discover the Top Funding Opportunities

Businesswoman giving presentation.

There are many ways to secure money through financial opportunities available to help women in business. For female entrepreneurs, these may come in through business grants, loans, non-profit organizations, federal government contract funding, investors for woman-owned businesses, and more.

If you’re starting a business or would like to grow your current one, check out these valuable resources that offer everything from small business grants for women to networking opportunities. It’s comforting to know that there’s support out there and that you don’t have to go at it alone.

Small Business Grants for Women

Lack of funding is a challenge that many women in business face; however, applying for grants is one way to overcome this common obstacle.

We've provided a list of the best small business grants for women entrepreneurs. Continue reading or use our jump-to links to find the right women in business grant for you.

Top Small Business Grants for Women Entrepreneurs

1. Amber Grant For Women

WomensNet started Amber Grant for Women, a female entrepreneurship fund, back in 1998 to honor nineteen-year-old Amber Wigdahi, who died at a young age before realizing her goals.

The organization selects a winner every month to award $10,000 to a woman owned business. This is a great resource for women entrepreneurs, since there are twelve winners every year; unlike other funds that select an annual winner.

There is an additional $25,000 reward given to one of the initial twelve winners and you can vote on their website to select your favorite company for the final round. Through this opportunity, you can gain money to grow your company and become a successful businesswoman and leader.

Here is what they will be interested in finding out about you and your business if you choose to apply:

  • Your name
  • Business name
  • Website
  • Email
  • What your business is about
  • What got you started and how
  • Your future vision
  • Current business challenges

Looking for extra support when it comes to your business challenges? We share the top challenges faced by women in business and how we can help.

Entry fee: $15

Application deadline: January 31, 2021

2. The Red Backpack Fund

The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has helped many women throughout the years by providing women business owners with funding opportunties. Given the difficulty experienced by many entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Red Backpack Fund has been created in partnership with GlobalGiving to help businesswomen during this difficult time. They will be awarding $5,000 grants to 1,000 female entrepreneurs nationwide throughout different months.

If selected, this opportunity comes with annual, free access to 80+ MastercClasses including Sara Blakeley's entrepreneurship class. You can learn more about Sara Blakely here.

To apply for this grant, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Majority women-owned businesses with annual revenues less than $5M
  • Majority women-owned nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M
  • Must have at least one paid employee
  • Must have less than 50 individuals on staff
  • Businesses must be in good standing
  • Businesses must be incorporated as a legal entity
  • Businesses must be able to demonstrate that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing hardship

3. Cartier Women’s Initiative

Cartier is not only a powerhouse when it comes to fine jewelry and other accessories, but they also provide a significant funding opportunity for female entrepreneurs through their Cartier Women's Initiative.

This joint partnership opportunity between Cartier, McKinsey & Company, and INSEAD business school started in 2006 and aims to support women in business who have started establishing their startup ideas and turned them into profit.

Here are the requirements for your business to qualify and apply:

  • Established and functional business model
  • Growth phase (1-5 years)
  • Majority owned by founders
  • Business should already generate revenue for 1 year
  • Should not have more than $2 million dollars in “dilutive” funding
  • Business should meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing social, economic, and environmental issues
  • Female leadership and ownership (CEO, General Manager, Director)
  • Owner or Director must own a large portion of the business relative to other stakeholders
  • Entrant must be 18 years old (US) or of legal adult age in the residing country, at the time of application deadline
  • Proficiency in English (verbal and written); fluency in communicating complex ideas with native speakers
  • A 3 to 4 hours per week commitment of virtual communication, January-April
  • One week of in-person workshops in early May (TBC)
  • Must be able to adhere to submittal deadlines

4. The Girlboss Foundation

The Girlboss Foundation launched in 2014 with a mission to provide support and empowerment for female entrepreneurs. The organization awards $15,000 biannually to fund projects for individuals chasing their dreams in the following areas: arts, music, fashion, and design.

Essentially, entrepreneurs must possess creativity, innovation, and an understanding of business. As an added bonus, winners will receive exposure through the Girlboss online community, which is full of like-minded women within the creative industries.

To be eligible for the Girlboss grant, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Identify as female
  • Be a U.S. resident
  • Own a creative business

Here is what they will be interested in finding out about you and your business in the application:

  • Basic contact information
  • Title and description of your project
  • Your future vision and goals
  • Any additional information you want Girlboss to know
  • Project submission by mail or link

5. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

American fashion designer Tory Burch launched her foundation in 2009 as a way to help women in business overcome common obstacles. The Tory Burch Foundation provides mentorship and networking, entrepreneurial education, and access to capital.

The foundation’s Fellows Program is a unique opportunity offered to women entrepreneurs. Fellows will receive a $5,000 grant, in addition to workshops at the Tory Burch offices and one year of free access to an online network to connect with other women entrepreneurs and find further resources. Also, out of the 50 Fellows chosen, a few will have the opportunity to pitch their business to industry experts.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be 21 years or older
  • Be a legal U.S. resident
  • Be a woman entrepreneur who owns a majority stake in the business

Note that nonprofits, idea-stage ventures, and subsidiary businesses are not eligible for the program.

Here is what they will be interested in finding out about you and your business in the application:

  • Your business plan
  • A personal statement
  • A resume
  • If you take social responsibility
  • Your future vision

6. Halstead Grant

Beginning in 2006, The Halstead Grant specifically helps women entrepreneurs and artists in the jewelry industry. This year, a winner receives $7,500 in startup capital, $1,000 in merchandise, and additional industry recognition.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Be a woman jewelry entrepreneur who works primarily in silver

Here is what they will be interested in finding out about you and your business in the application:

  • A portfolio of your designs
  • Detailed answers to 15 business questions

The application deadline is August 1, 2021.

7. Eileen Fisher Award

The Eileen Fisher brand is committed to helping environmentally conscious female entrepreneurs. Their goal is to award a total of $200,000 annually to qualifying applicants. The distribution of funds will range from $5,000 to $30,000 per business.

They’re looking for women who can help other women in the following ways:

  • Help women increase participation in decision-making skills
    - Nonprofits and applicable programs need to show that they stand by an environmental cause
  • Train women and girls in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and advocacy
    - Nonprofits and applicable programs must provide knowledge, tools, and access to create climate change resiliency and/or advocate for new relevant policies.
  • Get women interested in creating a sustainable economy
    - Nonprofits and applicable programs must create an environment where women will aspire to achieve leadership positions that will provide environmental solutions

Here are the exact criteria organizations will need to apply:

  • Be an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
  • Provide direct services
  • Address one or more of the above key points
  • Program’s mission focuses primarily on individuals who identify as female
  • Executive leadership reflects the demographics of the program’s beneficiaries
  • Program has been generated by and/or co-designed with the communities it serves
  • Able to provide financial statements for one full year of operations
  • Able to complete an application and participate in an interview in English

*While organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits, there is no geographic restriction on the programs for which they are applying.

Non-eligible organizations:

  • Organizations that promote the views of a specific political party or religion
  • Organizations without executive leaders who identify as female
  • Organizations that do not involve beneficiaries in program design and operations
  • Organizations whose primary purpose is grant-making
  • Event sponsorships
  • Capital campaigns

To learn more about this fund, visit the Eileen Fisher website

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