Posted: September 29, 2025 | Updated: January 20, 2026 at 12:22 PM
“Women’s small business grants” is a popular search term on the internet nowadays, as more women entrepreneurs seek to expand their startups or businesses.
Grants are one of the most powerful (and overlooked) ways to grow your business without taking on loans or giving up equity. Yes, the competition is tough. Yes, the application process can be intense. But if you’re ready to hustle, the reward is free capital that could transform your business.
This article provides details on small-business grants designed explicitly for women-owned small businesses to help them build something substantial. So, If you’re looking for information on the internet, this should save you a lot of time.
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The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards is a global entrepreneurship program that supports and spotlights women-led or women-founded businesses creating social, economic, or environmental impact.
In each region, the top winner may receive US $100,000, with second- and third-place winners awarded US $60,000 and US $30,000, respectively, along with a year-long package of mentorship, training, and peer networking.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible, a business must be led or founded by a woman (or women), and operate with a mission-driven or impact focus (social, environmental, or inclusive economic goals). The program is open globally, across sectors, and often emphasizes early- to growth-stage enterprises that have demonstrated traction or potential.
Entrants must provide a business plan, financial statements, growth metrics, and evidence of impact. Past winners come from diverse geographies and sectors. In 2025, nine women entrepreneurs were awarded grants as part of this initiative.
The Amber Grant Foundation, administered by Women’s Net, was created to honor the memory of a young woman named Amber who dreamed of starting her own business.
The program provides crucial early-stage funding to women entrepreneurs by awarding $10,000 each month and selecting one of those monthly winners for an additional year-end grant of approximately $25,000. Recipients also gain visibility on the Women’s Net platform, which can aid in marketing and networking efforts.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible, a business must be at least 50% woman-owned and located in the United States or Canada. Applicants must generally be 18 years or older and should clearly explain how the grant money will accelerate their business by funding product development, marketing, or expansion. A one-time application fee of $15 is required.
The program is open to a wide range of industries, and winners are chosen based on their passion, feasibility, and the potential impact of their plans.
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The IFundWomen Partner Grants program connects women entrepreneurs with active funding opportunities from corporations and foundations.
By filling out a single universal application on IFundWomen’s platform, applicants are automatically considered for multiple grants, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, although some partners occasionally offer higher amounts. The program also provides access to business coaching, networking, and other resources to support growth.
Who Qualifies?
Applicants must be women-owned or women-led businesses based in the United States. You only need to complete one application, which stays in the system and is matched to new grant opportunities as they become available.
While all industries are welcome, some partner grants may target specific sectors, business sizes, or development stages, so IFundWomen recommends keeping your profile updated to maximize matches.
The HerRise Micro-Grant, offered by HerSuiteSpot (through its nonprofit arm, the Yva Jourdan Foundation), awards $1,000 each month to women entrepreneurs, especially those from under-resourced backgrounds or women of color, to help them overcome barriers to accessing capital.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the HerRise Micro‑Grant, your business must satisfy these criteria:
Because the HerSuiteSpot HerRise MicroGrant is highly competitive and funding is limited, meeting all the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award. The monthly grant amount of USD 1,000 is modest, making it most suitable for targeted, incremental improvements such as marketing efforts, website updates, or small equipment purchases.
Applicants should clearly outline how the funds will be used and the potential outcomes of their proposed activities. It is also essential to regularly review the official HerSuiteSpot HerRise MicroGrant page for the latest information, including eligibility changes and upcoming deadlines.
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The Fund Her Future program (run by Block Advisors by H&R Block in partnership with Hello Alice) awards grant funding and business support to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. In its 2025 cycle, it offers a grand prize of US $50,000, plus five runner-up grants of US $10,000 each, along with a year of small business services (such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll, and business structure analysis) to help winners grow their operations.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the Fund Her Future grant, a business must meet several criteria (as of the start of the program period):
The application period for 2025 runs from April 28, 2025 to May 30, 2025, finalists may be asked to do a virtual interview (though the interview itself isn’t scored) as part of the selection process.
Please note that the grant is unrestricted, allowing winners to use the funds as they see fit for their business. Additionally, they will receive business support services valued at approximately US $30,000.
The YippityDoo Big Idea Grant is a monthly microgrant program designed to support women entrepreneurs in the U.S. It awards US $1,000 each month, and winners also receive a one‑year membership in YippityDoo’s wealth‑mindset coaching group to bolster business growth and mindset development.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The grant is unrestricted, so recipients can use the money however they deem fit for their business (marketing, operations, tools, etc.).
Beyond the funding, the added value is the coaching, community, and mindset resources that come with membership in YippityDoo’s wealth mindset program. And because the program is relatively new, competition may be lower than with larger grants, increasing chances for emerging entrepreneurs.
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The Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition is a high‑visibility pitch contest in the U.S. that awards a cash grant of US $25,000 to the first‑place winner in each track (Tech/Tech‑enabled and Consumer/CPG/Other).
In addition to funding, finalists receive mentoring, pitch coaching, professional services, exposure to investors, and ongoing support through the Women Founders Network ecosystem.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the Fast Pitch Competition, applicants must meet these criteria:
Beyond the grant, finalists receive one-on-one pitch coaching, financial mentorship, in-kind professional services, and access to WFN’s network and alumni community. For 2025, all finalists will compete for cash grants totaling US $55,000, plus free professional services distributed among them.
A Junior Venture Capitalists program (in which young women participate as pseudo-investors) may vote to award an additional US $5,000 grant to the finalists. As the program emphasizes pitch readiness and investor feedback, even those who don’t win cash can still benefit from coaching and exposure.
The StartHER Grant, run by Texas Woman’s University’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs, awards US $5,000 to select women‑owned businesses in Texas to help them launch or grow their operations. In 2025, the program plans to award 10 grants of this amount.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the StartHER Grant, businesses must be Texas-based, at least 51% women-owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have five or fewer employees. The company must be a for-profit legal entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship) formed after September 25, 2020, and in good standing with all legal, tax, and licensing obligations.
Applicants cannot be nonprofits, TWU students or staff, past CWE grant recipients, or recent participants in specific CWE programs. Applications must include complete documentation, such as proof of ownership, a project proposal, and vendor quotes; incomplete applications may be disqualified.
The $5,000 grant is disbursed in two parts: $2,500 upon acceptance of the award and the remaining $2,500 after completing a training course, three hours of advising, submitting a business plan with financials, and demonstrating how the first half was utilized. Recipients must also provide a 10% match ($500) from non-debt resources. Grant funds can be used for business growth needs, such as equipment, inventory, marketing, and certifications; however, they cannot be used for wages, bonuses, real estate, or taxes. All funds must be used and documented by April 26, 2026, or the remaining balance may be forfeited. Applications are open from August 26 to September 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT.
37 Angels is an angel investment network founded in New York City with a mission to reduce the gender gap in startup investing by increasing transparency, education, and participation. While the group invests in both male and female founders, it gives preference to female‑founded or female‑led startups, providing capital, guidance, and access to a community of active investors.
In practice, 37 Angels typically invests US$50,000 to $200,000 in each company (often via multiple angels contributing $ 25,000 checks) in seed‑stage rounds. The group hosts pitch forums every two months, where about eight companies present to its investor members. Founders undergo an application process (often via Gust), followed by a screening call, and, if selected, a live pitch in New York City.
Who Qualifies?
37 Angels targets seed-stage startups and prefers businesses that can show at least six months of traction or data, such as revenue or customer activity, to demonstrate market validation. They typically fund companies raising between $500,000 and $3 million. While they invest across industries, they avoid highly capital-intensive sectors (like biotech or clean energy) and “hits-based” industries such as entertainment or gaming.
Most companies are U.S.-incorporated, and although founders don’t need to be based in New York, the ability to pitch in person is essential. While open to both male- and female-led businesses, 37 Angels prioritizes teams that include women as part of their mission to close the gender gap in investing.
The application process begins online (often via Gust) and includes a 20-minute screening call. Selected founders then present at an in-person pitch forum in NYC, and investment decisions are usually made within a month. They do not sign NDAs before reviewing proposals due to the high volume of submissions and legal limitations.
Beyond capital (typically $50,000–$200,000 per deal, via pooled investments), founders benefit from clear timelines, efficient decision-making, and access to a supportive investor network. Even companies that aren’t funded gain exposure, feedback, and valuable industry connections, especially women-led ventures, which align closely with the group’s mission and portfolio focus.
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The High Five Grant for Moms, run by The Mama Ladder, is an annual grant program supporting mom entrepreneurs by offering $10,000 for the top winner, $5,000 for the runner‑up, $2,500 for third place, and five honorable mentions of $1,000 each. Applicants share the story behind their business on social media during the application window, and winners are selected by a panel of judges and a public vote.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the High Five Grant for Moms, applicants must be women caregivers, including mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, or expecting mothers, and own at least 50% of a for-profit business. The business must have earned between $10,000 and $500,000 in the past year, be headquartered in the U.S. or Canada, and demonstrate real traction, although not on a large scale. Applications for the 2025 cycle will be accepted from September 1 to September 30. After this period, a panel will select eight finalists, and the public will then vote to determine the top three winners.
All grants are non-repayable and are allocated directly toward business growth needs, such as marketing, inventory, or tools, and not for personal use. A key part of the application includes publicly sharing your “High Five Why” on social media using a branded hashtag. Since public voting determines the winners, applicants with a strong community or online presence may have an edge. Finalists are notified in early October, and winners are announced later that month.
She’s Connected by AT&T is a U.S. small business contest open to women-owned enterprises, offering a grand prize of $50,000, plus a year of AT&T service and a new device to the winner, as well as four runner-ups each receiving $5,000 microgrants.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for She’s Connected by AT&T, applicants must be legal U.S. residents aged 18 or older, and the business must be registered, operational, and located in the U.S. or its jurisdictions. It must have 50 or fewer employees, and the applicant must be the sole or majority owner (owning at least 50%). Employees, officers, or immediate family members of AT&T and its affiliates are not eligible. For the 2025 cycle, the application period runs from June 9 to September 30, with finalists contacted in November and the grand prize winner announced by December 1, 2025.
Unlike traditional grants, this is a contest-style award judged on the business’s mission, vision, community impact, and how well it aligns with AT&T’s purpose of “Connecting Changes Everything.” The grand prize includes $50,000, a year of free AT&T service, and a new device, while four runner-ups receive $5,000 each. Winners must participate in a branded production event and agree to the use of their likeness and business name in AT&T marketing, making this both a funding opportunity and brand visibility platform for entrepreneurs comfortable with public exposure.
The FoundHer Accelerator (operated by Hawaiʻi FoundHer / Purple Maiʻa) is a six-month program tailored to women entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi, particularly those of Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander descent, that provides non-dilutive support to grow their businesses.
It offers participants a US$20,000 grant, a US$4,000 ʻohana care stipend, weekly business education workshops, monthly retreats for learning and networking, and mentoring and community support.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the FoundHer Accelerator, businesses must be based in Hawaiʻi and at least 51% owned by women of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian descent. They must be early-stage, for-profit entities, typically under 3 years old, with a clear proof of concept, such as initial sales or user engagement. Selected founders must commit to the full six-month program, including weekly workshops, bi-weekly check-ins, and monthly in-person retreats (often on neighboring islands). The accelerator offers a non-dilutive grant of $20,000 and a $4,000 ‘ohana care stipend to support caregiving needs, such as child or elder care.
The program blends business training with cultural grounding, incorporating local storytelling (moʻolelo), place-based learning, and community values into the curriculum. While $20,000 is the standard grant, actual funding amounts may vary slightly by cohort. Founders don’t give up equity, but they are expected to fully engage with mentors and programming. The next application cycle is scheduled to open mid-September to mid-October, and founders are encouraged to check the FoundHer website for updates and deadlines.
The SBIR and STTR programs are two of the most significant sources of federal grant funding available to for-profit small businesses focused on research and development (R&D). These programs are designed to stimulate innovation and encourage the commercialization of new technologies. The grants often fund early-stage work, from proof-of-concept through development and scaling, across fields like biotech, energy, defense, and IT.
Women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) are eligible, and many participating federal agencies actively encourage their applications. These programs are especially valuable for science- or technology-driven startups looking to secure non-dilutive capital.
To qualify, your business must be U.S.-based, have fewer than 500 employees, and be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. These are highly competitive but prestigious opportunities that can open doors to long-term government partnerships and funding pipelines.
Although not a traditional grant, the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) certification programs offer exclusive access to federal contracting opportunities. The U.S. government sets aside a portion of its contracts each year specifically for WOSBs in industries where women are underrepresented, such as construction, manufacturing, and IT.
This program helps women-led companies establish credibility, achieve consistent revenue, and foster long-term growth by securing government contracts. To qualify, your business must be at least 51% woman-owned, and the woman (or women) must control day-to-day operations and long-term decision-making. Certification is available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) or approved third-party certifiers and can significantly increase your visibility to federal buyers.
Beyond general SBIR/STTR funding, specific federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NCATS, among others, offer targeted supplements and incentives for women-owned businesses, particularly those in the fields of science, health, and technology. For example, the NIH provides Diversity Supplements to support women in science and help existing SBIR awardees expand their teams or efforts.
These supplements can support hiring women researchers or expanding women-led projects. Requirements vary by agency and funding opportunity, but applicants must generally meet standard SBIR/STTR criteria, including being U.S.-based, a for-profit small business, and having majority ownership by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Many agencies also require detailed proposals and, in some cases, a commitment to diversity or equity-focused goals.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and related programs under the Department of the Treasury’s Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) aim to improve access to capital and business advisory services for underserved entrepreneurs, including women. These are part of broader federal economic programs, such as Investing in America, and are delivered through partnerships with state governments.
While not exclusively for women, many funds and services are designed to support women- and minority-owned businesses, particularly those operating in disadvantaged areas or sectors such as clean energy and local manufacturing. Eligibility often depends on your location, business size, and access to traditional funding. Women entrepreneurs may benefit from low-interest loans, technical assistance, and incubator programs supported through these federal-state collaborations.
As of 2025, the landscape for funding women-owned small businesses is more diverse and promising than ever. From competitive global awards like the Cartier Women’s Initiative to localized support such as the StartHER Grant in Texas, these programs are designed to level the playing field and fuel the growth of businesses led by women. Whether you’re seeking seed funding, business mentorship, pitch competitions, or access to government contracts, there is something available for nearly every stage and sector.
Yes, the application processes can be time-consuming and sometimes intimidating, but the potential rewards are significant. From $1,000 microgrants to $100,000 global awards, and even access to angel investment or federal R&D funding, these opportunities can provide the capital, exposure, and community support you need to take your business to the next level. Be sure to review the eligibility requirements carefully and mark your calendars for 2025 deadlines. Your next big breakthrough could start with just one application.
Most grants on this list are for U.S.-based businesses; however, some, such as the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, are open to international applicants. Always check eligibility by location before applying.
Yes! You can and should apply to multiple grants as long as you meet each program’s eligibility criteria. Some platforms, like IFundWomen, even match your application with various funding opportunities.
No. Grants are non-repayable funds, unlike loans. However, some grants come with conditions (like training or reporting requirements), so be sure to read the fine print.
Some programs like YippityDoo’s Big Idea Grant and HerRise Micro-Grant accept businesses in the early or idea stage. Others, like 37 Angels, require more traction or existing revenue.
Tailor each application, clearly explain how the funds will be used, and highlight your impact, growth potential, and mission. For programs with a public voting element (like the High Five Grant for Moms), building community support can be a significant advantage.
