Private business grants for women
Commonly offered by individuals, nonprofit foundations and corporations, privately funded business grants support women-led businesses by providing funding, resources and guidance. Here are 17 private business grants for women that are worth exploring.
1. Amber Grant
Provided by WomensNet, the Amber Grant offers three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses each month, including:
- Monthly Amber Grants
- Startup Grants for businesses with less than $10,000 in total sales
- Business Category Grants for a specific industry of the month, which include animal services, creative arts and STEM
Then, at the end of each year, WomensNet gives an additional $25,000 to three grant winners from that year.
Your application puts you in the running for all three grant categories that month, but if you want to be considered in future months, you’ll have to resubmit your application. You must wait at least three months before applying again.
Who qualifies? Your business must be at least 50% women-owned and based in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
How can I apply? Submit the two-question application before midnight EST on the last day of the month and pay a $15 application fee.
2. Cartier Women’s Initiative grant program
Since 2006, the Cartier Women’s Initiative has granted more than $9 million to early-stage, for-profit, women-owned businesses that make a positive impact around the world. This organization provides three grant opportunities yearly, and each program awards three winners.
- Regional awards: Nine global regions (including North America and Europe) are identified, and each region’s top three businesses receive financial awards.
- Science & Technology Pioneer Award: This grant rewards three businesses that display innovation and promote advancements in STEM.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award: This grant awards funds to three businesses that address inequities in access, outcome or opportunity for underserved communities.
First-place award winners in each category (and region) receive $100,000, second-place winners receive $60,000, and third-place winners receive $30,000. Winners also receive business training, networking sessions, media training workshops and inclusion in a fellowship program.
Who qualifies? You must be a woman who owns or operates a for-profit business that’s between one and six years old. You may not have raised more than $2 million in funding, and your business should meet at least one of the Sustainable Development Goalsput forth by the United Nations.
How can I apply? Submit an online application form alongside a resume, business financial statements, pitch deck and a short video. The application has historically been available throughout May and June.
3. National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grant
This organization awards Growth Grants to four member businesses each quarter worth $4,000 each. Grant funds can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees or expanding facilities — anything that helps your business grow — but can’t be put toward debt, mortgage or rent payments.
Who qualifies? You must be an active NASE member, and your membership tier dictates how soon you can apply. Annual, Veteran, Silver (Annual) and Gold members can apply immediately, while Monthly and Silver (Monthly) members must wait at least 90 days to apply. Membership costs between $25 and $540, depending on your membership level. Both women and men are eligible.
How can I apply? Submit a written statement about how you would use the grant funds, a copy of your business plan and recent tax returns or profit and loss statements. Applications are reviewed quarterly, in January, April, July and October.
4. Tory Burch Foundation fellowship program
The Tory Burch Foundation runs a yearlong fellowship program for women entrepreneurs. Each year, 50 fellows receive a $5,000 grant and additional resources, such as workshops with experts and networking opportunities with other female founders. Grant funds must be used to further your business education. You may also access 0% interest loans.
Who qualifies? At least 51% of your business must be women-owned, and you must be 21 or older. Your business must be for-profit, operating for fewer than five years and generating at least $75,000 in annual revenue.
How can I apply? Submit an online application, a copy of your resume, a business plan, a headshot, business or product photos and a short elevator-pitch video. In the past, the application has opened in late September and closed in early November. Fellows are announced each spring.
5. Women of Color Grant
The Tory Burch Foundation also partners with the Fearless Fund to offer 75 annual Women of Color Grants. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $20,000; winners can also access a learning portal and small-group networking opportunities.
Who qualifies? At least 51% of your business must be women-of-color-owned. Your business must be for-profit, and the committee prefers that you’ve been in business for one to five years and have a minimum annual revenue of at least $100,000.
How can I apply? Submit an online application by the deadline. In the past, the application was available throughout April.
6. FedEx Small Business Grant
The FedEx Small Business Grants Program isn’t specifically for women entrepreneurs but awards 10 grants to for-profit businesses that use FedEx shipping services. Nine grant winners receive $20,000 awards, and the grand prize winner is awarded $50,000. In addition to the cash awards, each grant winner receives shipping perks and credits with FedEx.
Who qualifies? Your business must be based in the U.S., have fewer than 99 employees and have been operational for at least six months. You must also have a FedEx business account for at least six months.
How can I apply? Submit an online application that describes your business, how you’d use grant funds and how FedEx has supported your growth. You’ll also submit a short pitch video. For 2024, applications are accepted between March 1 and April 1. Winners are notified on May 16.
7. IFundWomen grant program
IFundWomen is an online platform that connects you to grant opportunities with partners like Visa, Neutrogena, Unilever and Comcast. After you submit a general application to the database, IFundWomen will invite you to apply with any grant partners it deems a good fit. Award amounts vary by grant but may range from $2,500 to $100,000.
To get started, register on the iFundWomen website and fill out its Universal Grant Application.
Who qualifies? Grant criteria vary by opportunity, but generally, you must be a woman entrepreneur.
How can I apply? Start by filling out IFundWomen’s Universal Grant application. Funding amounts, deadlines and application processes vary by grant opportunity.
8. Galaxy Grants
Sponsored by Hidden Star, a nonprofit that offers startup assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, Galaxy Grantsprovide $2,750 awards to women- and minority-owned businesses. You’ll receive a matching award if you refer a friend and they win a grant.
Who qualifies? You must be a woman or “confirmable ethnic minority” business owner (or be considering starting a business), at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the U.S. You must create a free Galaxy of Stars account before applying.
How can I apply? The application takes under a minute to complete — you’ll supply your name, email address, zip code, ethnicity, gender and business status. The current grant cycle closes on March 31, 2024.