Funding for Women
Grants, Investors, and Loans
Grants for Starting and Growing a Woman-Owned Business
When you hear the term ‘free money‘, you may think it’s a scam or too good to be true. However, there are many organizations around the world offering grants to support female business owners and other marginalized groups.
One of the most valuable sources of funding for women solopreneurs is grants. A grant is a sum of money that is given to an individual or organization for a specific purpose, such as starting a business. Unlike a loan, a grant does not need to be repaid, making it an attractive option for women who may not have the financial resources to take on debt.
There are a variety of grants available to women solopreneurs, from government grants to private foundation grants to grants offered by corporations. These grants can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, and can be used for a variety of business-related expenses, such as equipment, marketing, or website development.
Grants for U.S. Based Applicants & Rest of the World
U.S. Citizens and Residents
These are limited to people residing in the U.S.
Rest of the WorlD
Open to every woman in these continents: Europe, Asia, Africa
Grants for U.S. Based Applicants
37 Angels
37 Angels is a female-founded venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage startups led by diverse founders, including women and people of color. The firm was founded in 2012 by Angela Lee, a former Wall Street banker and startup founder, and has since grown to include a network of over 100 investors.
37 Angels takes a hands-on approach to investing, providing not only funding but also mentorship and support to the startups in its portfolio. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes diversity, and it seeks out companies that are innovating in areas such as healthcare, education, and sustainability.
Amber Grant Foundation
In 1998, the first Amber Grant was issued in honor of 19-year old Amber Wigdahl, who died before fulfilling her business dreams. Today, the Amber Grant Foundation awards two $10,000 Amber Grant each month. And two of our 24 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant. https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/
Bell Capital USA
Belle Capital USA is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage companies led by women founders. The firm was founded in 2012 by Susan Preston, a veteran venture capitalist with over 25 years of experience, and it is based in Sausalito, California.
Belle Capital USA seeks to fill a gap in the venture capital industry by providing funding and support to women-led companies, which have historically been underrepresented in the startup ecosystem. The firm’s investment portfolio includes companies in a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, and consumer products.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program that supports women-led businesses. The program is organized by Cartier in partnership with INSEAD Business School and is open to women entrepreneurs from around the world.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative provides coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs in their early stages of development. The program awards seven grants each year, one for each of the following regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, Asia-Pacific, and France. The laureates are selected based on their business potential, financial sustainability, social impact, and leadership skills. Each laureate receives a grant of $100,000, as well as ongoing support from the Cartier Women’s Initiative community of mentors and advisors.
In addition to the grants, the Cartier Women’s Initiative also offers a range of resources and services to women entrepreneurs. This includes access to business development workshops, networking events, and one-on-one coaching and mentoring from experienced business leaders. https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/
Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program
The Eileen Fisher Grant Program focuses on supporting organizations that work on a variety of issues, including climate change, sustainable agriculture, environmental education, women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and community development. The program has a particular emphasis on supporting organizations that are led by women, people of color, and other marginalized groups. It offers up to $10,000 in grant money to up to 10 women-owned businesses each year.
NOTE: The Eileen Fisher Grant Program has been suspended for 2023. There is no link at this time. Check back in 2024.
iFundWomen Universal Grant Program
The program is open to women entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations that are based in the United States and have a business or project that is focused on promoting social change, environmental sustainability, or economic equality.
To be eligible for the iFundWomen Universal Grant Program, applicants must have a registered business or non-profit organization, and they must provide evidence of their commitment to social impact and sustainable business practices. Applicants must also demonstrate a clear and feasible plan for using the grant funding to achieve their business or organizational goals.
The iFundWomen Universal Grant Program is one of several initiatives offered by iFundWomen, a crowdfunding platform that is focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition to the Universal Grant Program, iFundWomen also offers a crowdfunding platform that allows women entrepreneurs to raise funds from a community of supporters.
Melinda Gates Foundation
The Melinda Gates Foundation has supported women entrepreneurs through several initiatives, including:
- Women’s Economic Empowerment: The foundation has invested in programs that help women entrepreneurs access financial resources, build their businesses, and gain the skills needed to succeed.
- Women’s Business Centers: The foundation has provided funding to Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) in the United States, which provide training, counseling, and resources to help women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
- SheEO: The foundation has supported SheEO, a global initiative that provides funding and support to women-led businesses. SheEO offers interest-free loans to female entrepreneurs, as well as access to a network of mentors and advisors.
- Women’s Livelihood Bond: The foundation was a key supporter of the Women’s Livelihood Bond, which was the world’s first social bond focused on empowering women in Southeast Asia. The bond raised $8 million to provide financing to women entrepreneurs in the region.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants
The program is open to women entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations that are based in the United States and have a business or project that is focused on promoting social change, environmental sustainability, or economic equality.
To be eligible for the iFundWomen Universal Grant Program, applicants must have a registered business or non-profit organization, and they must provide evidence of their commitment to social impact and sustainable business practices. Applicants must also demonstrate a clear and feasible plan for using the grant funding to achieve their business or organizational goals.
The iFundWomen Universal Grant Program is one of several initiatives offered by iFundWomen, a crowdfunding platform that is focused on supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition to the Universal Grant Program, iFundWomen also offers a crowdfunding platform that allows women entrepreneurs to raise funds from a community of supporters. https://www.nase.org/business-help/get-an-education/nase-grant
Open Meadows Foundation
provides grants to support projects led by women and girls, as well as by transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. The foundation’s mission is to promote social justice and gender equality by funding initiatives that work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable world.
The Girlboss Foundation Grant
The grant was launched in 2014 and is awarded twice a year to recipients who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in their work.
The grant provides a cash award of $15,000, as well as resources and exposure through the Girlboss community and network. Recipients are also featured on the Girlboss website and social media platforms, providing additional visibility and opportunities for networking.
To be eligible for the Girlboss Foundation Grant, applicants must be female-identifying individuals who are at least 18 years old and working in the fields of design, fashion, music, and the arts. Applicants must submit a project proposal, resume, and work samples, and are evaluated based on their creativity, innovation, business acumen, and overall potential.
https://www.nase.org/business-help/get-an-education/nase-grant
The Tory Burch Foundation
The Tory Burch Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The foundation was founded in 2009 by fashion designer Tory Burch with the mission to provide access to capital, education, and digital resources to help women grow their businesses.
The foundation’s programs include the Tory Burch Fellows Program, which provides women entrepreneurs with a year-long fellowship that includes access to funding, education, and networking opportunities. The foundation also offers a Digital Resources Hub, which provides free online courses, webinars, and other resources to help women entrepreneurs build their skills and grow their businesses.
In addition to these programs, the foundation has also partnered with other organizations to provide support to women entrepreneurs. For example, the foundation has worked with Bank of America to provide access to capital for women-owned businesses, and with Goldman Sachs to provide business education programs.
The Tory Burch Foundation does not publicly disclose the exact amount of funding provided through their grants, as it can vary based on the specific needs and goals of each individual recipient. However, according to their website, the Tory Burch Fellows Program provides each fellow with a year-long fellowship that includes a $5,000 grant for business education, as well as access to other resources such as networking opportunities, mentorship, and workshops.
Home Page
Visa Global She’s Next
This is a global initiative by Visa aimed at empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs. The program was launched in 2019 and is designed to provide women entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities they need to grow their businesses and make a positive impact in their communities.
The program includes a range of initiatives and resources, including:
- She’s Next Grant: The grant provides funding of up to $10,000 to women entrepreneurs who are driving social impact through their businesses.
- She’s Next, Empowered by Visa Podcast: The podcast features conversations with inspiring women entrepreneurs who share their stories and insights on building successful businesses.
- She’s Next, Empowered by Visa Summit: The annual summit brings together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts to share ideas, network, and gain new insights into the latest trends and strategies for business growth.
- Digital Resources: The program offers a range of digital resources and tools, including online courses, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, designed to help women entrepreneurs build their skills and grow their businesses.
https://opportunitydesk.org/2022/07/01/visa-shes-next-grant-program-2022/#:~:text=The%20Visa%20She%E2%80%99s%20Next%20Grant%20Program%2C%20in%20partnership,USD%20along%20with%20a%20one-year%20IFundWomen%20Coaching%20membership.
Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V WISE)
V-WISE and the IVMF provide valuable resources and support to women veterans and military spouses who are interested in entrepreneurship, helping them to turn their ideas into successful businesses. While they do not offer grants, the training, mentorship, and networking opportunities provided by these programs can be invaluable to women entrepreneurs as they work to build and grow their businesses.
https://www.ivmf.syracuse.edu/vwise/
How to Write a Grant
Application
Step 1. Fill out application (online or mail-in)
Cover Letter
Step 2. This is the most important part of the process. See tips and tricks.
Documentation
Step 3: Provide ALL required documents.
Timeline
Step 4: Follow deadlines.
As a woman entrepreneur applying for a grant, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances of success. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the application process:
- Research grant opportunities: Start by researching grant opportunities available to women entrepreneurs. Look for grants that align with your business needs and goals.
- Review eligibility requirements: Once you’ve identified a grant opportunity, review the eligibility requirements carefully. Make sure you meet all the criteria before applying.
- Prepare a strong application: Craft a well-written and compelling application that outlines your business and its potential impact. Make sure to highlight your unique selling points and demonstrate why your business deserves the grant.
- Gather supporting documents: Most grant applications require supporting documents, such as a business plan, financial statements, and other relevant documents. Gather these documents in advance so you have everything you need to submit a complete application.
- Follow application guidelines: Make sure to follow the application guidelines closely. Some grants may have specific requirements, such as a maximum word count or a specific format for supporting documents.
- Submit your application: Once you’ve completed your application and gathered all the necessary documents, submit your application before the deadline. Double-check that you’ve included all the required information and that your application is error-free.
- Follow up: After submitting your application, follow up with the grant organization to ensure they received your application and to inquire about the status of your application. This shows your interest in the grant and can help keep you top of mind with the organization.
Tips to Write a Good Cover Letter
- Introduce yourself: Start by introducing yourself and your organization. Provide a brief overview of your background and experience, as well as any relevant achievements.
- Describe your project: Clearly describe the project you’re seeking funding for. Explain the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. Make sure to emphasize the significance of the project and why it’s important.
- Highlight your qualifications: Explain why you and your organization are well-suited to carry out the project. Highlight any relevant experience, skills, and expertise you have that make you uniquely qualified.
- Explain the budget: Provide a brief overview of the budget for the project, including how the grant funds will be used. Be transparent about how you plan to allocate the funds and why each expense is necessary.
- Express gratitude: End the letter by thanking the grant committee for considering your application. Express your enthusiasm for the project and your commitment to its success.
- Keep it concise: Keep the cover letter concise and to the point. Stick to the most important details and avoid unnecessary information or jargon.
Grants for Other World Regions
From Europe to Africa to Asia and Australia, here’s a list of organizations providing grants for women from around the world.
The Global Fund For Women offers a fantastic online tool to research grants from around the world. It’s a live database, where you just enter the Year, Region, Amount, Topic, and other fields and it will tell you everything available from around the world.
- European Union (EU) Grants – The EU offers a range of grants and funding opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women. The available grants may vary depending on the country and industry. https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
- Cartier’s Women Initiatives Awards – This global program provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and North America. https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/
- Donne Impresa – This is an organization based in Italy that focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs. They offer a range of services, including training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to funding. https://www.donnaimpresa.it/
- Melinda Gates Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/
- The Women’s Fund Asia: https://womensfundasia.org/grants/
- The Global Fund for Women: https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/apply-for-a-grant/
- The African Women’s Development Fund: https://awdf.org/grants/
- The Canadian Women’s Foundation: https://www.canadianwomen.org/our-work/grants-and-funding/
- The European Network Against Racism: https://enar-eu.org/Grants-Funding
- The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: https://cherieblairfoundation.org/what-we-do/enterprise-development/grants/
- The Women’s World Banking: https://www.womensworldbanking.org/what-we-do/invest/grants/
- The Japan Foundation for Women’s Education: https://jfew.org/grants/
- The Australia Council for the Arts: https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/