Best Small Business Grants for Women in 2023
Learn about small business grants for women. Find organizations that provide grants for women and info on where to find financial help.
Updated on January 2nd, 2023
The SMB Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Small business grants for women are various amounts of seed money that organizations grant to help women entrepreneurs start or expand a small business.
Free grants for small business are usually run like contests where women have to apply and meet certain criteria in order to qualify. If you're named a finalist or winner, you'll receive a pre-determined amount of money that you won't have to pay back.
Competition can be quite fierce for top grant programs but there are startup business grants for women that give away smaller cash prizes to a wide number of recipients each year.
Read More:
Small Business Grants - Find out how to apply for a small business grant.
Small Business Grants for Minorities - See detailed information about small business grants for minorities.
Minority Business Loans - Learn about the best loans for minority business owners.
SBA Loans - Read about the various SBA loans available to small businesses.
Best Small Business Grants for Women:
Grant Provider | Grant Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
$30,000 - $100,000 | Annual business competition open to women entrepreneurs from any country and industry sector. Three finalists from each of the seven continental regions each receive a money-prize and a place on an INSEAD executive program, among other benefits. | |
$125,500 | Annual grant contest open to U.S.-based for-profit small businesses. 10 small business winners receive prizes ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 plus FedEx Office print and business services. | |
$15,000 | Biannual grant program open to female-identifying entrepreneurs in the fields of design, fashion, music and the arts. Applicants must be U.S. residents. | |
$1,000 | Open to small business owners and individuals planning to start a business. Winners receive small cash grants. Low entry barrier. | |
$2,000 | Volunteer-run grant-making organization that awards small grants to projects that are led by and benefit women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities. | |
$10,000 - $40,000 | SBA-organized Business grant competition for women. The last competition was in 2017. Details about an upcoming competition are not available at this time. | |
$500 | Foundation that awards $2,000 grants to a different women entrepreneur every month. | |
$10,000 | Annual grant program open to women-led businesses committed to environmental change and empowering women and girls. | |
$7,500 + $1,000 | Annual award program for jewelry entrepreneurs with a focus on silver jewelry design. | |
$10,000 - $100,000 | Program open to women entrepreneurs. Up to 50 successful applicants each receive a one-year fellowship that includes a $5,000 grant for their business education, access to education programs, networking opportunities, and other benefits. Applicants must be majority business owners and legal U.S. residents. |
FAQs:
Which are the top women-owned small business grants?
The Eileen Fisher Business Grant Program, The Amber Grant, and the Tory Burch Fellows Program are among the most popular women-owned grants in the United States. They empower women entrepreneurs by giving away generous business grants to talented women across the globe.
How do I qualify for a small business grant?
To be eligible to apply for programs that give away grants for women starting a business, your business should be above the start-up stage and generating revenue. This differs when it comes to smaller grants for small business startups.
Who qualifies for government grants for small business?
Government grants for women are only provided to specific businesses, particularly those in high tech or R&D fields, as well as small, disadvantaged businesses. Go to SBA.gov to find out more about SBA women-owned businesses. Grants.gov is another resource where you can find and apply for business funding for women offered by a number of federal grant-making agencies.
Where can you find loans for single mothers to start a business?
There are quite a few resources available to help out single mothers. One example is SingleMom.com where you can find info on financial aid for education and small business loans and grants for women. The SBA also operates a number of Women's Business Centers in nearly every state where you can find training, counseling and other resources to start and grow your business.
Who can I talk to if I want to get financial help to start a small business?
You can speak to a financial advisor, your local bank, or even a family member or friend with business experience. Be sure to research all financing options, such as microloans, SBA loans, and traditional loans to see what will suit your needs and budget.
Are there small business grants for women with bad credit?
There are no small business grants for women with bad credit but there are alternative lenders that work with individuals with bad credit ratings. If your personal credit score is less than 500, take a look at online lenders, Kabbage and Fundbox.
Are there small business grants for minority women?
If you're part of a minority group, the Minority Business Development Agency regularly administers grants for women's small business start-ups and also provide educational resources for minority entrepreneurs. The SBA also offers start-up grants to minority business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged and own 50% of their business.