Small Business Grants For Women

There are a variety of small business grants specifically for female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. These grants primarily come from private sources, and they tend to be competitive and offer relatively modest amounts of money. Meanwhile, government assistance for women-owned businesses or firms being started by women often focus on education and networking to access investors and lenders. Here is an overview of resources available to female entrepreneurs.

Consider working with a financial advisor as you seek funding for your small business.

Growth of Women-Owned Businesses in the U.S.

In the U.S., there are over 14.5 million women-owned businesses, accounting for almost 40% of all firms, with $3.3 trillion in sales and nearly 14 million employees, according to a 2025 Wells Fargo report. Perhaps even more significantly, the study found a total 17.1% annual growth rate in the number of women-owned firms from 2019 to 2024.

Much of this growth has come despite the fact that women-owned businesses were not generally funded by grants. A 2025 Guidant Financial survey found that women-owned firms were primarily funded using ROBS (Rollovers as Business Startups), cash and SBA loans.

Grants for Women-Owned Businesses

Several grant programs are available specifically for women starting or running their own businesses.

Amber Grants

WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants For Women monthly, plus three for $25,000, to women-owned businesses. To qualify, businesses must be 50% owned by women in the U.S. or Canada who exhibit passion, business savvy and vision.

Asian Women Giving Circle

The Asian Women Giving Circle supports Asian-American women-led projects in New York City. Grant recipients use arts and culture to encourage progressive social transformation and raise awareness of issues affecting Asian-American females and families. Past recipients include documentary films, film festivals and multimedia performances.

Cartier Women’s Initiative

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international competition that awards $100,000 to women-owned businesses in nine different regions of the globe. Second-place awardees get $60,000 each, while third-place awardees receive $30,000. All 21 finalists also receive coaching, scholarships and other benefits. Successful applicants are women-run and women-owned businesses in any industry that seek to make strong and sustainable social or environmental impacts.

Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program

Women entrepreneurs selected for a Tory Burch Foundation fellowship receive a $10,000 grant to help defray the costs of business education. The fellowship also includes training and opportunities to network with potential investors. To be eligible, a female entrepreneur must own a majority stake in a for-profit early-stage business in any industry with revenues of at least $75,000 in the past 12 months. Business owners also have an opportunity to pitch Tory and a panel for a $100,000 grant.

Grants for Women

The site Grantsforwomen.org lists dozens of sources of financial assistance for women-led organizations. Many are education grants or scholarships. Others are only for nonprofit organizations, generally including those that advocate on issues such as domestic violence and workplace harassment. There are also programs to help businesses network with potential lenders or equity investors.

The Small Business Administration

Businesswomen can receive valuable support in non-grant ways. For example, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Women’s Business Ownership oversees a national network of 125 Women’s Business Centers that can help female entrepreneurs identify and apply for any federal small business grants for women that may be available in their location. Many of these centers offer training and counseling in a number of languages and dialects, helping reach underserved markets with various programs.

Other Programs Available to Small Business Owners

Programs like the SBA’s Innovation and Technology Transfer grants help small businesses, including those owned by women, with funding from federal agencies.

There are programs that, while not specifically designed for women, still aim to support small businesses. For example, the SBA coordinates the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs that offer small business grants for women contributing to research and development. These grants come from 11 federal agencies, whose websites post the opportunities.

While not restricted to women, another useful resource is grants.gov, which functions as a clearing house for grant opportunities.

How to Strengthen Your Funding Strategy

While grants can be a helpful source of capital, they should be viewed as part of a broader funding strategy. Because most grant programs are competitive and offer limited awards, you can improve your chances of long-term business success by using a mix of funding sources.

Begin by developing a clear business plan that outlines how much funding you need, what the money will be used for and how it will contribute to growth. Grant committees and lenders often evaluate applicants based on how effectively they can demonstrate a return on the funds requested. Strong financial documentation—such as revenue history, projected cash flow and expense management—can improve your credibility.

In addition to small business grants for women, consider other financing options, such as low-interest loans, business lines of credit or investor partnerships. The SBA and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) often offer programs designed to help female entrepreneurs access credit on fair terms.

Networking can also play a key role in strengthening your funding opportunities. Many professional associations, business incubators and women’s business centers offer valuable benefits, such as mentorship, pitch training and introductions to potential investors. These connections can be especially valuable for first-time business owners.

Bottom Line

Few grants target women-owned businesses, but other funding sources and local programs can help support their growth.

The relative lack of grants specifically for women-owned businesses means seed money is coming from other sources. There are grants available for businesswomen and other non-grant resources that can extend the current surge in the number of women-owned enterprises. Be sure to check for resources in your state and local areas.

Tips for Women-Owned Businesses

Consider working with a financial advisor experienced in working with entrepreneurs. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If your business is struggling as a result of the pandemic, the government’s coronavirus economic support includes paid sick leave, an employee retention tax credit, a tax deadline extension and many other forms of aid for businesses.