The Best Small Business Grants for Women

The number of women-owned businesses is growing every year, but there are still challenges for women when it comes to securing the money they need to get their business up and running.

No matter the industry, small business grants can be a game changer for entrepreneurs looking to grow their business — especially woman-owned small businesses.

Unlike a business loan, small business grants don’t have to be repaid.

So, if you’re just starting out, a small business grant can be a serious leg up to help with all those pesky startup costs, like rent, tools, products, on and on and on.

To help you get the funding you need to start your small business, we’re digging into the best business grants out there for women.

But first, let’s talk through how to apply for a women’s small business grant.

What to Know Before You Apply for a Women’s Small Business Grant
11 Best Small Business Grants for Women

How to Apply for a Women’s Small Business Grant

Unsure what you need before you apply for a small business grant? We’ve got you covered! 👇

Become a Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Having your business certified as a women-owned business can open up a lot of doors for financial help. Before you apply for certification, here’s what you need to qualify:

Be at least 51% women-owned
Run daily operations and hold highest position for the business
Work full-time
Must be U.S. citizen(s)
Be a for-profit business
Meet the requirements of a small business

How to Apply for Women-Owned Small Business Certification

To receive your women-owned small business certification, you’ll need to first apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

As a heads up, you’ll need an account with the System for Award Management. Plus, you’ll need to gather the following documents:

Birth certificates, naturalization papers or unexpired passports for each woman business owner
Articles of organization/incorporation, partnership or joint venture agreements, voting agreements, and any amendments to these documents
Issued stock certificates and stock ledger
Assumed/fictitious name certificate

Draft a business plan

A business plan is essentially a document that lays out how you plan to start your business, and it’s an important part of getting your business up and running. If you haven’t already written one up, now’s the time.

Pro Tip: Need a hand writing your business plan? Check out our All-Inclusive Guide for writing salon business plans!

Research grant options

Taking the time to research and find prospective grants is a big part of finding the funding you need.

While there are plenty of online search tools to help you find a grant, you still need a level of strategy and thoughtfulness when hunting down the best grants for your small business.

Gather your documentation

Be sure you have the following documents on hand before start a grant application, especially for federal grant opportunities:

Financial records
Tax returns
WOSB certification
Proof of U.S. citizenship

11 Best Small Business Grants for Women

Amber Grant Foundation

The Amber Grant Foundation is a big one! They award $10,000 every month to a different woman-owned business — plus, a few smaller grants throughout the year as well.

What are they looking for? Women with a lot of heart and a great story to tell. There’s also no time requirement on how long you’ve owned your business, so it’s a big grant for startup businesses as well.

Women’s Business Centers

Women’s Business Centers are for grants given away at the state and local levels. Depending on your area, some centers give away grants, while others are there to help women business owners find the capital they need to fulfill their dreams.

Visit the Women’s Business Centers search page to find a local source in your area!

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Similar to the Women’s Business Centers, each state has their own economic development resources to help promote strong economies areas for their state. Take a look at the EDA website to find one in your area!

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Built to help minority business owners find funding and develop financial strategies, the MBDA has locations all over the country.

The best part?

They also run a grant program specifically for women: the Enterprising Women of Color Initiative, or EWOC. On top of awarding grants, they also provide access to events and other networking opportunities for minority women business owners.