A grant for women in business is a type of non-repayable funding specifically designed to support female entrepreneurs in starting or growing a business.
Women entrepreneurs started 49% of new businesses in 2024, per Gusto’s 2025 New Business Formation report. That’s the highest rate it’s recorded since the report’s creation, up 69% from 2019.
Despite this trend in business ownership, there’s still a gap in funding. In 2025, just 1.1% of venture capital funding went to startups founded entirely by women.
If you’d like to keep equity in your business and avoid loan repayments, this guide covers 21 grants for women in business, with guidance on how to apply, and success stories from female founders who’ve won them.
What are grants for women in business?
Grants are funding opportunities, typically set sums of money, issued by government programs, institutions, nonprofits, and private organizations. Grants don’t have to be repaid, and are distinct from small-business loans. Grants for women in business are awarded to female entrepreneurs or women-led businesses.
Grants differ from other business financing options in multiple ways:
- No repayment. Unlike loans, grants have no interest, no repayment schedule, and no debt added to your balance sheet.
- They’re non-dilutive. You don’t give up a share of your business with a grant, as you would with venture capital or angel investment.
- Turnaround times are slower. Loans can be approved within days; federal grants can take six months or more.
- Restricted use. Grant funds typically come with conditions for how the money may be used. CanExport SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), for example, is designed for Canadian entrepreneurs who want to export out of the country.
- Application process. Traditional lenders assess creditworthiness and repayment capacity. Grant eligibility is based on who you are, what you need the money for, and the type of business you’re building.
Who qualifies for women-owned business grants?
Eligibility criteria for women-owned business grants depend on the individual program. There may be restrictions around:
- Ownership threshold. The Amber Grant is open to businesses that are at least 50% women-owned, while Visionaries’ Hey Helen grant requires businesses to be 100% women-owned.
- Business structure. Programs like the HerRise MicroGrant accept applications only from businesses registered in the US.
- Stage of business. The Cartier Women’s Initiative restricts eligibility to early-stage businesses with annual revenue between $50,000 and $5 million that have raised no more than $2 million in dilutive funding.
- Industry. The Halstead Grant, for example, is restricted to entrepreneurs in the jewelry industry.
- Location. The Texas Rural Woman Grant is open only to women-owned rural businesses in specific Texas counties.
Top grants for women in business (by category)
Grants available for women in business include:
| Grant | Eligibility criteria | Potential funding | Application fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| WomensNet Amber Grant | Women in Canada or the US, aged 18 or over, with a business that’s 50% women-owned | $10,000 | $15 |
| Women Founders Grant | Women aged 18 or over, based in the US, with a business idea or existing company that’s at least 51% women-owned and operated | $5,000 | $25 |
| HerRise MicroGrant | Businesses that are 51% owned by women, registered in the US, with less than $1 million in gross revenue | $1,000 | $15 |
| Freed Fellowship | Any micro- or small business owner in the US | $500 | None specified |
| Galaxy Grants | Women and minority entrepreneurs | Varies, current Galaxy Grant is $4,250 | $0 |
| Giving Joy Grants | Women entrepreneurs aged 18 or over | Up to $500 | $0 |
| Entreprenista Evolve Grant | Women-owned or women-led companies that have been in business for at least a year, with revenue of more than $100,000 | $5,000 | None specified |
| Yippity Doo Monthly Big Idea | For-profit businesses in the US at least 50% owned and run by a woman aged 18 or over | $1,000 | $15 |
| America’s Seed Fund | US businesses with 500 or fewer employees | Up to $2 million | $0 |
| US Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants | Varies by program | Varies by program | $0 |
| Texas Rural Woman Grant | Women-owned businesses in an eligible Texas county | $10,000 | None specified |
| Ignite by WBDC | Connecticut businesses majority-owned by women | $2,500 to $10,000 | None specified |
| FoundHer Accelerator Program | Women-owned businesses based in Hawaii, less than three years old, with 51% of founders of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian descent | Varies by program | None specified |
| CanExport SMEs | CanExport uses a points system to determine eligibility, evaluating applicants on factors like business structure and size | Up to $50,000 CAD | $0 |
| TL Effect | All women entrepreneurs of color | $20,000 | None specified |
| Cartier Women’s Initiative Award | Annual revenue between $50,000 and $5 million with between five and 250 team members | Up to $100,000 | $0 |
| Hey Helen Grant | 100% women-owned businesses in the US with less than $1 million annual revenue | $10,000 | $15 |
| Halstead Grant | Silver jewelry artists | $1,000 to $7,500 | None specified |
| Makers Mindset Grant | US businesses that are majority women-owned with annual revenue between $50,000 and $1 million | $10,000 | None specified |
| Women’s Founders Network | Majority female-owned businesses with less than $750,000 in funding | $25,000 | None specified |
Recurring monthly and micro-grant programs
There are grant programs for women-owned businesses that run on a regular basis:
1. WomensNet Amber Grant
The WomensNet Amber Grant awards three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses every month, including revenue-generating non-profits. Three of the 36 Amber Grant recipients will also be awarded the organization’s $50,000 grant at the end of the year.
If you don’t meet the criteria for the main grant, WomensNet has a separate $10,000 monthly grant for women-owned businesses with sales of less than $10,000.
- Who’s eligible: Women in Canada or the US, aged 18 or over, with a business that’s 50% women-owned
- Funding: $10,000
- Application fee: $15
- Deadline: Applications close on the last day of each month; winners are announced on the 21st of the following month.
2. Women Founders Grant
The Women Founders Grant awards $5,000 grants to female entrepreneurs who answer two application questions: How are you translating your passion into a business? And how will the grant money make your dream a reality?
- Who’s eligible: Women aged 18 or over, based in the US, with a business idea or existing company that’s at least 51% women-owned and operated
- Funding: $5,000
- Application fee: $25
- Deadline: Last day of the month
3. HerRise MicroGrant
The HerRise MicroGrant awards $1,000 to women entrepreneurs, including women of color.
- Who’s eligible: Businesses that are 51% owned by women, registered in the US, with less than $1 million in gross revenue
- Funding: $1,000
- Application fee: $15
- Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on the last day of the month
4. Freed Fellowship
Freed Fellowship issues grants of $500 to small business owners every month, and winners are considered for its $2,500 year-end grant. While this grant isn’t exclusively for women, the organization encourages women, minorities, and other underrepresented communities to apply.
- Who’s eligible: Any micro- or small business owner in the US
- Funding: $500
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on the last day of the month
5. Galaxy Grants
Galaxy Grants awards a range of grants to women and minority business owners every quarter. The program is powered by Hidden Star, a nonprofit that provides support for minority and low-income entrepreneurs.
- Who’s eligible: Women and minority entrepreneurs
- Funding: Varies, current Galaxy Grant is $4,250
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: Varies, check the website
6. Giving Joy Grants
Giving Joy Grants issues microgrants of $500 twice per year to entrepreneurs who align with its mission to inspire fellow women entrepreneurs. The company encourages applicants to explain how women, families, or communities will be positively impacted by their project.
- Who’s eligible: Women aged 18 and up, no geographic restriction
- Funding: Up to $500
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: April 30, 2026,for cycle one; September 30, 2026, for cycle two
7. Entreprenista Evolve Grant
The Entreprenista Evolve Grant awards $5,000 per quarter to women-owned businesses in the US. It’s geared toward established companies: your business must be at least a year old and earn more than $100,000 in revenue to be eligible.
- Who’s eligible: Women-owned or women-led companies that have been in business for at least a year, with a minimum annual revenue of $100,000
- Funding: $5,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: June 19, 2026
8. Yippity Doo Monthly Big Idea
The Yippity Doo Monthly Big Idea program offers $1,000 in grant funding each month to women-owned businesses. Winners also receive access to a business coaching group and a community of other grant recipients.
- Who’s eligible: For-profit businesses in the US at least 50% owned and run by a woman aged 18 or over
- Funding: $1,000
- Application fee: $15
- Deadline: No deadline; winners are announced once per month
Federal grants and SBA-backed resources for women entrepreneurs
While the Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn’t offer grants directly to women-owned businesses, it does run Women’s Business Centers to help women entrepreneurs with business training, federal contracting support, counseling, and access to funding.
Other non-SBA federal grants to consider include:
9. America’s Seed Fund
America’s Seed Fund awards up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding for entrepreneurs in the science and technology industry. It’s the collective name for two programs—Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)—which are both coordinated by the SBA.
- Who’s eligible: Companies with 500 or fewer employees, at least 50% owned and controlled by US citizens or permanent residents
- Funding: Up to $2 million
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: Varies by program
10. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues grants to small businesses in rural areas. While not exclusive to women entrepreneurs, you can use the money to move beyond raw production into processing, branding, or direct sales.
- Who’s eligible: Varies by program, the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), for example, is open to agricultural producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based ventures
- Funding: Varies by program; VAPG grants can reach up to $200,000
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: Varies by program
State and local grants to search by region
Some countries have their own grant programs for female entrepreneurs in that region:
11. Texas Rural Woman Grant
The Texas Rural Woman Grant issues funding to women-owned businesses in rural counties with populations below 50,000. It awards a total of $100,000 in grants per year, split across 10 winners. You must take the small business training class to apply.
- Who’s eligible: Women-owned businesses in an eligible Texas county
- Funding: $10,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: June 20, 2026
12. Ignite by WBDC (Connecticut)
The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) in Connecticut offers grants to women-owned businesses through its Ignite program. It award between $2,500 and $10,000 to winners for clearly defined projects, not including operating expenses.
- Who’s eligible: More than 51% women-owned headquartered and registered in Connecticut, and more
- Funding: $2,500 to $10,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: Announced late summer 2026
13. FoundHer Accelerator Program
The FoundHer Accelerator Program gives grants to Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian founders in Hawaii. It’s issued more than $480,000 in non-dilutive funding to women-owned businesses through the program, which also includes mentorship and retreats for female founders.
- Who’s eligible: Women-owned businesses based in Hawaii, under three years old, with 51% of founders of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Asian descent
- Funding: Varies by program
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: Not specified, but you must take part in the six-month business accelerator to receive the grant
14. CanExport SMEs
CanExport provides grants of up to $50,000 to businesses who want to sell outside Canada.
“Here, we have CanExport, which can help you to export your product outside of Canada, and PSCE in Quebec that helps you export your product outside of Quebec,” says Myriam Belzile-Maguire, co-founder of Maguire, in a Shopify Masters episode. “These two grants helped us to open in Toronto and in New York.”
- Who’s eligible: CanExport uses a points system to determine eligibility, evaluating applicants on factors like business structure and size
- Funding: Up to $50,000 CAD
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: Midnight ET on August 31, 2026
Corporate and brand grants
Brands offer corporate grants to support women-owned businesses:
15. TL Effect
Lingerie brand ThirdLove runs its own TL Effect grant program for women of color. One annual grant recipient wins $20,000, plus financial advice and business mentorship.
ThirdLove’s founder Heidi Zak explains how the grant program works in a Shopify Masters interview: “We pick an early stage female founder of color who hasn’t raised institutional money—so is most likely a solo entrepreneur or maybe has a few contractors working on a business in the broader consumer space—and we help amplify their business.
“It’s just been a really phenomenal program All of the winners and their companies have done so great over the past couple years and are starting to scale.”
- Who’s eligible: All women of color
- Funding: $20,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: None specified
16. Cartier Women’s Initiative Award
The Cartier Women’s Initiative has issued more than $14 million in financial support since the grant program started in 2006. Annual awards are given in nine global regions; in each region, first place receives $100,000, second place $60,000, and third place $30,000.
- Who’s eligible: Annual revenue between $50,000 and $5 million, applicants must employ between five and 250 team members, and more
- Funding: Up to $100,000
- Application fee: None
- Deadline: June 16, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET for the 2027 grant
17. Visionaries’ Hey Helen Grant
The Hey Helen Grant, offered by Visionaries, offers three grants of $10,000 to female founders. Grant cycles run three times per year with one final year-end award. It’s open to US businesses that are 100% women-owned and generate less than $1 million in annual revenue. There are no limitations on how you can use the grant money.
- Who’s eligible: 100% women-owned businesses in the US with less than $1 million in annual revenue
- Funding: $10,000
- Application fee: $15
- Deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET on August 30, 2026
Grants for product-based and online business owners
If you have a product-based business, you might qualify for certain industry-specific grants:
18. Halstead Grant
The Halstead Grant awards funding to silver jewelry artists. Finalists win $1,000 in cash, plus a $250 Halstead gift card, and one winner receives a $7,500 grant and a $1,000 gift card.
- Who’s eligible: Silver jewelry artists
- Funding: $1,000 to $7,500
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: May 1, 2026
19. Makers Mindset Grant
The Makers Mindset Grant awards $10,000 in funding to three women-led brands in the CPG space. Funds can be spent on anything that helps your business grow.
- Who’s eligible: US businesses with at least one year of revenue (between $50,000 and $1 million) and at least 51% women-owned in an eligible CPG category
- Funding: $10,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: Applications closed on April 20, 2026
20. Women’s Founders Network
The Women’s Founders Network runs two grant programs: one for technology businesses, the other for non-tech founders in the consumer or CPG industry. Winners of either grant receive $25,000 in funding. Finalists also win benefits like financial mentorship, pitch advice, and an exclusive community of alumni founders.
- Who’s eligible: Majority-owned women business, able to attend the Fast Pitch event on October 21, 2026, in Los Angeles, and that have raised no more than $750,000 in funding
- Funding: $25,000
- Application fee: None specified
- Deadline: May 31, 2026
How to find grants beyond this list
To find grants for women in business beyond this list, use these databases and search tools:
- Grants.gov. This government-run website shares federal grant opportunities for entrepreneurs in the US. Search funding opportunities by your keyword and use the eligibility filters to shortlist programs.
- IFundWomen Grant Marketplace. The marketplace connects entrepreneurs with grant programs. One application gives you access to every program.
- Ladies Who Launch. This database displays grants designed for women and non-binary entrepreneurs. It shows each program’s deadline, application instructions, and eligible industries.
How to avoid grant scams
Before applying for a business grant, check for signs that could signal the program is a scam. Red flags include:
- Grants that ask you to provide personal information or banking details
- Programs with little or no information about terms, eligibility, or the application process
- Grants labeled as a government program without an affiliated agency on an official .gov domain
Grants by business stage
Some grants for women-owned businesses have strict eligibility criteria because they’re designed to suit entrepreneurs at a certain stage of their business.
Pre-revenue and startup grants
If you’ve not yet launched your business, consider startup grants that have no business age or minimum revenue criteria, such as:
- Women Founders Grant
- WomensNet Amber Grant
- Giving Joy Grants
- Yippity Doo Monthly Big Idea
Established business grants
If you’re an established business (either in terms of business age or revenue), consider grants like:
- Entreprenista Evolve Grant: Businesses at least one year old with over $100,000 in revenue
- Cartier Women’s Initiative Award: Revenue between $50,000 and $5 million and between five to 250 employees
How to write a grant application
GrantStation’s 2025 report found lack of resources—either time or staff—is grantseekers’ greatest challenge. Fierce competition and difficulty finding the right programs also ranked high.
To make a grant application worth your while:
Check the grant deadline
Verify the grant program is still active before you write an application. Most programs share this deadline on their website. Add these deadlines to a calendar to give yourself enough time to write an application before entry closes.
Prepare your financial documents
The financial documents you’ll need to apply for a grant depend on the program. You might be asked to provide:
- A business plan
- Proof of business registration
- Profit and loss (P&L) statements
- Cash flow statements
- Proof of a business bank account
Shopify Finance is a comprehensive financial management platform that lets you easily pull these documents. It includes Shopify Balance, a dedicated business bank account built into Shopify admin.
Tell your business story compellingly
Grant programs vary in format, but most ask some version of the same questions: why you started the business (or have the idea), what you’re building, and how you’d use the money.
Programs like Amber Grant are strict. Judges review whether the grant will have a meaningful impact on the business applying, and whether the proposed use of funds is realistic, specific, and tied to business growth or sustainability.
Other tips include:
- Match the questions asked. Read the grant program’s mission before writing and reflect it in your response.
- Back claims with evidence. Prove your goals, company vision, or values by giving evidence to show how you’re working towards them.
- Lean into your unique selling point. What makes your business unique? Explain why your company should receive funding instead of other applicants.
When grants aren’t enough: other funding paths for women entrepreneurs
Getting rejected by the bank drove Nicola Hamilton, founder of Issues Magazine Shop, to seek alternative funding.
“Going to the bank and saying, ‘Hey, I want to open a print magazine store.’ They were like, ‘Um, no,’” she says in a Shopify Masters interview. Despite this rejection, Nicola went on to raise $120,000 through alternative sources.
If you’re in a similar situation, other funding paths for women-owned businesses include:
SBA loan programs
SBA loans aren’t grants—they must be repaid—but they’re an alternative to traditional bank loans. They partner entrepreneurs with SBA-approved lenders to receive between $500 and $5.5 million in funding.
SBA loan programs include:
- SBA 7(a) loans. Used by businesses that need working capital. The maximum amount is $5 million, and eligibility depends on how your business makes money, its credit history, and where you operate.
- SBA 504 loans. Long-term fixed rate loans of up to $5.5 million. Entrepreneurs can use the money to buy land, launch new facilities, or invest in machinery.
- SBA microloans. Available to small businesses. The average loan is about $13,000; money can be used for any purpose that helps you grow (excluding paying existing debts or purchasing real estate).
Government-backed programs for younger founders
Governments have their own funding programs to support young entrepreneurs, including Futurpreneur—a Canadian program for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.
Nicola, who secured most of her funding through the program, said on Shopify Masters, “It’s money that comes from the BDC, which is the business development bank, but you actually have to go through a business plan building process with a mentor.”
Revenue-based financing through Shopify Capital
Grants are non-repayable and cover a defined use of funds at a specific moment in time. Revenue-based financing lets you use your sales history to secure funding.
Shopify Capital provides an upfront lump-sum payment in exchange for a fixed percentage of daily sales. It’s designed for eligible merchants in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, UK, and the US who need ongoing, flexible capital tied to their sales performance.
Unlike most grants, there’s no restriction on how you can spend money. Shopify Capital funds can be used for a wide range of business needs including inventory, hiring employees, marketing, and operational expenses.
Haley Pavone, founder and CEO of Pashion, turned to Shopify Capital to airship 20% of inventory ahead of the holiday season. “I’m not confident we would have been able to bring in our holiday shipment [without Shopify Capita],” she says.
“Capital was vital in getting us the holiday inventory on hand that we needed to support that 375% sales growth,” Haley says. “I don’t think we would have seen anything close to that growth figure without it.”
*All loans through Shopify Capital Loans are issued by WebBank. Offers are subject to change based on several factors including your store’s performance and the review of your financial information. Shopify Capital Loans must be paid in full within 18 months, and two minimum payments apply within the first two six-month periods. Offers to apply do not guarantee funding. Repayments are made based on a percentage of daily sales.
Grants for women in business FAQ
How can a woman get money to start a business?
Women entrepreneurs can get money to start a business through grants, venture capital, crowdfunding, and bank loans.
What grants are available for female business owners?
Grants available for women business owners include:
- WomensNet Amber Grant
- HerRise Microgrant
- Freed Fellowship
- Yippity Doo Monthly Big Idea
- Galaxy Grants
- Giving Joy Grants
- Women Founders Grant
- Cartier Women’s Initiative Award
- Visionaries’ Hey Helen GrantMakers Mindset Grant
- Women’s Founders Network
Can an LLC get grant money?
Grant eligibility depends on the program, but most—including Women Founders Grant, HerRise MicroGrant, and Hey Helen Grant—allow registered businesses (including LLCs) to apply for grant money.
Which grants for women are the best?
There is no single small business grant program that is the best for every woman entrepreneur. Consider your business stage, industry, and company size, then search for grant opportunities you’re eligible for.
