Women-Owned Business Grants — Every Program You Should Know About
Women-owned businesses have access to billions in dedicated grant funding — from the Amber Grant's monthly $10,000 awards to federal SBIR programs to state economic development funding. Here's everything available.
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Getting WOSB Certified — Your Master Key
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification through the SBA is the single most important step you can take to access women's business funding.
What WOSB certification unlocks: - Federal contracting set-asides specifically for WOSBs - Priority consideration for many state grant programs - Eligibility for Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) programs if revenue qualifies - Credibility signal for private funders
Eligibility requirements: - Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are US citizens - Must be a small business (size standards vary by industry) - The woman/women owners must control management and daily operations
How to get certified: 1. Apply through certify.sba.gov — it's free 2. Or apply through an approved third-party certifier: El Paso Hispanic Chamber, US Women's Chamber of Commerce, National Women Business Owners Corporation, or Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
Certification takes 60-90 days. Start this process now — it opens doors you can't access without it.
Private Foundation Grants for Women
Private foundations have created dedicated grant programs for women entrepreneurs, often with faster timelines and more flexible eligibility than government grants.
Amber Grant Foundation - $10,000 awarded monthly to a woman-owned business - $25,000 year-end grant - Application is simple: describe your business and why you deserve the grant - Apply at ambergrantsforwomen.com — new submissions accepted monthly
Cartier Women's Initiative - For women-founded businesses with social or environmental impact - Regional awards of $100,000 for first-place winners - Highly competitive, internationally focused - Strong emphasis on impact and innovation
Tory Burch Foundation - Fellows Program: $5,000 grant plus business education - Focus on access to capital and community for women entrepreneurs - Apply at toryburchfoundation.org
IFundWomen - Crowdfunding platform with grant opportunities - Partnerships with major corporations (Visa, Google, Comcast) - Also offers coaching and community
Local women's foundations: Most major cities have women's foundations that award grants to women-owned businesses and women-led nonprofits. Search '[your city] women's foundation grants.'
SBA Programs for Women
The SBA has specific programs and resources designed for women entrepreneurs, beyond just WOSB certification.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) Over 100 WBCs across the country provide free and low-cost business training, counseling, and connections to capital — including grants. Find yours at sba.gov/wbc.
SBIR/STTR for Women-Owned Businesses If your business involves research or technology, SBIR and STTR grants are available to WOSBs like any small business — but your WOSB status can be highlighted as a strength in your commercialization narrative.
SBA Community Advantage Loans While not grants, SBA Community Advantage loans target businesses in underserved markets including women-owned businesses — at below-market rates.
SCORE Mentoring Free mentoring from retired business executives. Many SCORE chapters have mentors who specialize in women's entrepreneurship and know local grant programs.
State-Level Women's Grant Programs
Every state has programs specifically for women-owned businesses, though they vary significantly in funding availability and eligibility.
What states typically offer: - Economic development grants for women starting or expanding businesses - Training grant reimbursements for women in non-traditional industries - Grants for women in rural areas - Technology and innovation grants for women-founded startups
How to find them: 1. Search '[your state] women-owned business grants' 2. Contact your state's Women's Business Center (WBC) 3. Visit your state economic development agency website 4. Contact your local SBDC — they know every state program available
Corporate grant programs for women: - Comcast RISE: Grants and business resources for women and minority entrepreneurs - Visa She's Next Grant: $10,000 grants for women small business owners - FedEx Small Business Grant: Open to all but specifically encourages women applicants - Amazon Business Grant: Various programs for women and minority business owners
Industry-Specific Opportunities
Beyond general women's business grants, many industries have sector-specific funding for women entrepreneurs.
Technology: - Awesome Foundation STEM Grants for women in tech - National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) programs - Many tech accelerators specifically recruit women founders
Agriculture: - USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs specifically support women farmers - Women, Food and Agriculture Network grants - State agricultural department programs for women farmers
Healthcare: - Several foundations specifically fund women in healthcare entrepreneurship - NIH SBIR programs are available to all, and women-led companies are encouraged
Construction and trades: - National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) scholarships and grants - DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification opens contracting opportunities
Food and beverage: - USDA Local Food Promotion Program funds women food entrepreneurs - Several culinary foundations have grants specifically for women chefs and restaurateurs
Applying Strategically as a Women-Owned Business
Having WOSB certification and knowing which grants exist is only half the equation. Applying strategically maximizes your success rate.
Prioritize alignment over quantity: A perfectly aligned application to 5 funders outperforms a generic application to 20. Research each funder before applying.
Tell your story: Women's grant programs specifically want to understand your entrepreneurial journey. The challenges you've overcome, your connection to your community, and your vision for impact matter here more than in a government contract application.
Highlight your multiplier effect: Many women's funders care about how your success impacts other women — employees, customers, community members. Articulate this explicitly.
Build your portfolio: Start with smaller, more accessible grants (Amber Grant, local programs) while building toward larger federal programs. Early wins validate your business and strengthen future applications.
Track everything: Keep records of all applications, outcomes, and funder feedback. This data helps you identify which grant types and funders are best fits over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need WOSB certification to apply for women's business grants?
Not all of them — many private and state grants require only self-certification. However, WOSB certification unlocks federal contracting set-asides and strengthens applications to programs that accept it.
Can a woman-owned business get both women's grants and minority business grants?
Yes — if you qualify for multiple designations, you can apply to programs in each category simultaneously. Document each certification separately.
Are women's business grants competitive?
Varies widely. The Amber Grant receives thousands of applications monthly for $10,000. Local programs may receive 20-30 applications for similar amounts. Federal SBIR has 10-20% acceptance rates regardless of gender.
How long does WOSB certification take?
Certification through certify.sba.gov typically takes 60-90 days. Third-party certifiers like WBENC may have different timelines. Start the process now — it opens significant federal contracting opportunities.
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