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Free resource · Updated 2025

Grants for women business owners

16 real grants women entrepreneurs can apply for right now — from the $10,000 monthly Amber Grant to the $100,000 Cartier Women's Initiative. No email required. Browse by category, check your eligibility, and apply directly on each provider's site.

16

Active grants

$10K

Avg. award

5

Rolling deadlines

$0

To apply

How to qualify for a business grant

  1. 1. Confirm you're eligible. Most grants require you to be a woman-owned business in the U.S. Some ask for revenue, a minimum time in business, or a specific industry. Read the eligibility carefully before applying — it saves time.
  2. 2. Write a one-page business summary. Describe what you do, who you serve, your revenue or traction, and exactly how the grant money will help. You'll reuse this for every application — write it once, refine it each time.
  3. 3. Apply to at least five. Grants are competitive. Apply to rolling-deadline grants monthly (Amber Grant, IFundWomen, Hello Alice) and annual grants when they open. Track deadlines in a spreadsheet.
  4. 4. Follow up and reapply. If you don't win, reapply the next cycle. Many winners applied multiple times before being selected. Persistence matters more than perfection.

The grants

16 grants women can apply for now

Filter by category. Every grant links to the official application page — no gate, no email required.

Monthly & Rolling

Amber Grant

WomensNet

$10,000 monthly + $25,000 year-end

Women entrepreneurs at any stage. U.S.-based. Simple online application — no business plan required.

Deadline: Rolling — last day of every month

One of the easiest grants to apply for. Winners are announced the following month.

Apply on official site

Monthly & Rolling

IFundWomen Universal Grant Program

IFundWomen

$500–$10,000+ (varies by round)

Women-owned businesses in the U.S. Must have a verified IFundWomen profile and complete the grant application.

Deadline: Multiple rounds per year — rolling

IFundWomen runs several branded grant rounds throughout the year. Keep your profile updated.

Apply on official site

Monthly & Rolling

Hello Alice Small Business Grants

Hello Alice

$5,000–$25,000 (varies by program)

U.S.-based small business owners. Create a free Hello Alice account and complete your business profile to be matched.

Deadline: Multiple programs — rolling deadlines

Hello Alice matches you to grants based on your profile. Apply to each open program individually.

Apply on official site

Women of Color

Comcast RISE Investment Fund

Comcast

$5,000 monetary + marketing services

Women-owned businesses owned by women of color, especially in media, tech, and communications. U.S.-based.

Deadline: Annual — typically opens spring

Includes marketing and technology services in addition to the cash grant.

Apply on official site

Women of Color

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

SoGal Foundation

$10,000

Black women or non-binary entrepreneurs. Must have a scalable business idea or early-stage company. U.S.-based.

Deadline: Rolling — multiple cohorts

Recipients also receive mentorship and access to the SoGal investor network.

Apply on official site

Women of Color

The Fearless Fund Strivers Grant

Fearless Fund

$20,000

Women of color founders of early-stage businesses. Must be a U.S.-based, revenue-generating company.

Deadline: Annual — check for current cycle

Includes access to mentorship and a founder community.

Apply on official site

Startup & Early-Stage

Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

Tory Burch Foundation

$5,000 grant + 1-year fellowship

Women entrepreneurs with an early-stage business (at least 1 year old). U.S.-based. Must complete an application and be selected.

Deadline: Annual — typically opens spring

Fellows receive business education, networking, and mentorship in addition to the grant.

Apply on official site

Startup & Early-Stage

Cartier Women's Initiative

Cartier

$30,000–$100,000

Women founders of impact-driven businesses. Must be the founder or co-founder with equity stake. International program.

Deadline: Annual — applications open mid-year

One of the largest grants for women. Includes executive coaching and media exposure.

Apply on official site

Startup & Early-Stage

Visa She's Next Grant Program

Visa

$10,000 + coaching

Women-owned small businesses. U.S.-based. Must submit a business application through the program portal.

Deadline: Annual — varies by region

Winners receive one year of coaching from IFundWomen.

Apply on official site

Established Business

Eileen Fisher Business Grant

Eileen Fisher

$12,500

Women-owned businesses focused on social or environmental impact. Must be at least 3 years old with revenue.

Deadline: Annual — typically spring

Emphasizes sustainability and community impact.

Apply on official site

Established Business

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

FedEx

$30,000–$50,000

Operating U.S. business that has been shipping with FedEx for at least 6 months. Must submit a profile and story.

Deadline: Annual — typically opens early spring

Winners are chosen by public vote and judging panel. Not women-exclusive but women win frequently.

Apply on official site

Established Business

NASE Growth Grants

National Association for the Self-Employed

$4,000

NASE members in good standing. Must show a clear business need for the grant. U.S.-based sole proprietors and small businesses.

Deadline: Rolling — quarterly reviews

Requires NASE membership ($11.95/month). Multiple grants awarded each quarter.

Apply on official site

Startup & Early-Stage

Girlboss Foundation Grant

Girlboss

$15,000

Women and non-binary entrepreneurs in creative, design, fashion, music, or arts. U.S.-based.

Deadline: Bi-annual — spring and fall

Focused on creative and design-forward businesses.

Apply on official site

Industry-Specific

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

U.S. Government (11 agencies)

$50,000–$1.75M (across phases)

U.S.-based for-profit businesses with fewer than 500 employees focused on research and technology.

Deadline: Varies by agency — rolling

Not women-exclusive, but women-owned firms get priority consideration. Best for tech and science businesses.

Apply on official site

Industry-Specific

Grants.gov

U.S. Federal Government

Varies by opportunity

Varies by grant. Search and filter for business grants by category, agency, and eligibility.

Deadline: Rolling — multiple open at any time

The official federal grants portal. Use the advanced search and filter by 'business' to find relevant opportunities.

Apply on official site

Industry-Specific

Open Meadows Foundation Grants

Open Meadows Foundation

$2,000

Projects led by and for women and girls, particularly those focused on social justice, environment, or community building.

Deadline: Bi-annual — spring and fall

Best for nonprofit or community-focused ventures led by women.

Apply on official site

Need help writing your grant application?

A free Her Empire Era membership gives you Victoria AI and the Empire Prompt Vault — including grant-writing prompts that help you draft your application, organize your business summary, and refine your answers before you submit.

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Questions about grants for women

Can I really get a grant to start a business as a woman?
Yes. There are dozens of grants specifically for women entrepreneurs, and many accept applications on a rolling basis. The Amber Grant, IFundWomen, and Hello Alice are the three easiest to start with because they have simple applications and frequent deadlines. You don't need to be an established business to qualify for all of them — several target founders at the idea or early-stage phase.
Do I need to pay back a grant?
No. Grants are not loans — you don't repay them and you don't give up equity. They are free money awarded to help you build your business. The trade-off is that they are competitive, so you'll need a clear story about what your business does and why the grant will help it grow.
How do I write a winning grant application?
Start with a one-sentence summary of what your business does and who it serves. Then explain exactly how the grant money will be used (be specific — equipment, marketing, inventory, hiring). Include any traction you have: revenue, customers, press, or partnerships. Keep it under the word limit and proofread. Many grant providers care more about clarity and momentum than a polished business plan.
How many grants should I apply for?
Apply for at least three to five at a time. Grant cycles are competitive, and each application gets easier once you've written your business summary once. Track deadlines in a spreadsheet and set reminders for the ones with rolling deadlines so you can reapply if you don't win the first round.
Are there grants specifically for women of color?
Yes. The SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant, Comcast RISE, and the Fearless Fund Strivers Grant are all specifically for women of color entrepreneurs. These programs also include mentorship and networking, which can be as valuable as the funding itself.
Can Victoria AI help me write my grant application?
Yes. When you join Her Empire Era free, you get access to Victoria AI and the Empire Prompt Vault, which includes grant-writing prompts. Victoria can help you draft your application, organize your business summary, and refine your answers — then you review and submit it yourself.

Next: free ChatGPT prompts for business, marketing prompts for ChatGPT or the Empire Opportunity Center.