Best grants for women-owned businesses in 2026: 12+ programs with real funding
Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all U.S. businesses, yet receive just 2% of venture capital funding. Grants fill that gap — providing non-dilutive capital that women entrepreneurs can access without giving up equity or taking on debt. In 2026, more than a dozen programs specifically fund women-owned businesses, from the $10,000 monthly Amber Grant to the prestigious $100,000 Cartier Women's Initiative. This guide covers every major program with real dollar amounts, eligibility criteria, and application details. For broader options, see our complete small business grants guide.
💰 Largest award: Cartier Women's Initiative ($100,000 + mentorship)
⚡ Best for early stage: IFundWomen Universal Grant ($1,000–$25,000)
🎯 Best ecosystem support: SBA Women's Business Centers (free training + capital access)
Why grants matter more for women entrepreneurs
The funding gap for women-owned businesses isn't just about venture capital. Women entrepreneurs are also denied traditional bank loans at higher rates, offered smaller loan amounts, and charged higher interest rates than their male counterparts — even when controlling for business size and creditworthiness. A 2025 study by the National Women's Business Council found that women-owned businesses start with 64% less capital than male-owned businesses on average.
Grants address this disparity directly. They don't require collateral, credit history, or investor connections. Many women-focused grant programs also include mentorship, networking, and business development resources that compound their value far beyond the dollar amount. The key is knowing which programs exist and meeting their specific eligibility requirements.
To qualify as a "women-owned business" for most grant programs, a woman must own at least 51% of the business and be the primary decision-maker. Some programs require Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification, while others accept self-certification. If you haven't already, consider getting your Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal certification through the SBA — it opens doors to both grants and federal contracting opportunities.
Many of the federal programs listed below are found on Grants.gov — see our complete Grants.gov walkthrough for step-by-step instructions on registration and searching. For tools to help manage multiple applications, our grant writing software comparison reviews the best platforms for tracking deadlines and organizing proposals. Women in tech should also explore startup-specific grants like SBIR/STTR, which provide up to $1.5 million in non-dilutive funding.
Comparison: top grants for women-owned businesses
| Grant Program | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Grant | $10,000/mo; $25,000/yr | Women-owned; U.S./Canada | End of each month | Easy |
| Cartier Women's Initiative | $100,000 | Women-led; impact-driven; global | Typically June | Hard |
| IFundWomen Universal Grant | $1,000–$25,000 | Women-owned; varies by round | Rolling (multiple rounds) | Medium |
| Girlboss Foundation Grant | $15,000 | Women-owned; creative/design/tech | Biannual | Medium |
| Tory Burch Foundation Fellows | $5,000 + education | Women-owned; revenue stage | Annual (spring) | Medium |
| Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant | $10,000 (10 grants) | Women-owned; sustainability focus | Annual (fall) | Medium |
| Visa She's Next Grant | $10,000 + mentorship | Women-owned; U.S.-based | Varies by cohort | Medium |
| SBA Women's Business Centers | Free services + capital access | Women entrepreneurs; U.S.-based | Open enrollment | Easy |
| Halstead Grant (Jewelry) | $7,500 + $1,000 merchandise | New jewelry designers; women focus | August 1 | Medium |
| Open Meadows Foundation | Up to $2,000 | Women-led; social change projects | Biannual | Easy |
| 37 Angels (Investment Network) | $50,000–$150,000 | Women-led startups; tech focus | Rolling | Hard |
| Huggies Mom-Inspired Grant | $15,000 | Mom entrepreneurs with product ideas | Annual | Medium |
Top grants for women-owned businesses: detailed reviews
1. Amber Grant — best for simplicity and consistency
The Amber Grant is named after Amber Wigdahl, who passed away at age 19 before realizing her dream of starting a business. The WomensNet organization created this grant in her memory and has awarded over $4 million to women entrepreneurs since 1998. The program now distributes $10,000 every month to one woman-owned business, with an additional $25,000 annual grant awarded to one of the twelve monthly winners at year's end.
What makes the Amber Grant exceptional is its simplicity. The application consists of a brief description of your business, a short essay explaining what the grant would mean to you, and basic business information. There's no complex financial projections, no multi-page narratives, and no requirement for an established business — even pre-launch businesses are eligible. The only costs are a $15 application fee (which funds the program) and being a woman-owned business based in the United States or Canada.
2. Cartier Women's Initiative — best for impact-driven businesses
The Cartier Women's Initiative is a global program that awards $100,000 each to seven women-led businesses driving social and environmental impact. The program also provides a second tier of 14 fellows who each receive $30,000. Beyond the cash, all 21 fellows participate in a week-long entrepreneurship workshop, receive one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, and join an alumni network of over 300 women entrepreneurs worldwide.
Eligibility requires that your business be women-led (a woman must be the majority owner and primary decision-maker), for-profit, in operation for 1-6 years, and generating revenue. The application is extensive — including a detailed business plan, impact measurement framework, and video presentation. Applications typically open in March and close in June, with fellows announced the following year. The competition is global and highly selective, but the combination of funding, mentorship, and prestige makes it one of the most valuable grant programs in the world.
3. IFundWomen — best platform for ongoing opportunities
IFundWomen operates as both a crowdfunding platform and a grant distributor for women-owned businesses. The organization partners with major corporations — including Amazon, Visa, and American Express — to distribute multiple grant rounds throughout the year. Individual grant amounts range from $1,000 to $25,000 depending on the partner and program.
What sets IFundWomen apart is the volume of opportunities. Rather than a single annual grant, the platform runs 10-15 distinct grant programs per year, each with different eligibility criteria and focus areas. Creating a free profile on the platform automatically matches you with relevant opportunities. IFundWomen also offers coaching services ($299-$999) and a crowdfunding platform with higher completion rates than general crowdfunding sites, though these services are separate from the free grant programs.
4. Girlboss Foundation Grant
The Girlboss Foundation awards $15,000 grants biannually to women-owned businesses in creative industries including design, fashion, music, and technology. Founded by Sophia Amoruso (of Nasty Gal fame), the grant targets early-stage businesses that demonstrate creativity, innovation, and a compelling founder story. The application includes a business plan, portfolio of work, and personal essay. Winners receive funding, media coverage on the Girlboss platform, and access to the organization's community network.
5. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program selects 50 women entrepreneurs each year for a year-long fellowship that includes a $5,000 grant, a week-long intensive workshop at the Tory Burch headquarters in New York, access to the foundation's Capital Program (providing affordable loans through partner CDFIs), and ongoing mentorship. Eligible businesses must be women-owned, based in the United States, and at the revenue stage (past the idea phase). The program is highly competitive, with thousands of applications for 50 slots, but fellows report that the network and mentorship are worth far more than the cash grant.
6. Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant
The Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant awards $100,000 annually, distributed as ten grants of $10,000 each. The program specifically targets women-owned businesses that are focused on environmental or social sustainability. Eligible businesses must be women-owned, in operation for at least three years, and generating annual revenue under $1 million. The sustainability requirement is genuine — past winners have included organic farms, upcycling businesses, fair-trade importers, and sustainable fashion brands. Applications open in the fall.
7. Visa She's Next Grant Program
Visa's She's Next program provides $10,000 grants to women-owned small businesses, along with access to IFundWomen coaching and the Visa business network. The program runs in cohorts across multiple cities throughout the year. Beyond cash, selected businesses receive a year-long IFundWomen coaching membership (valued at $999) and marketing support from Visa. Check Visa's She's Next page for upcoming cohort dates in your area.
SBA Women's Business Centers: free resources and capital access
The SBA operates over 140 Women's Business Centers (WBCs) across all 50 states. While not technically a grant program, WBCs provide free services that are worth thousands of dollars: one-on-one business counseling, training workshops, help with business plans and loan applications, networking events, and connections to local funding sources. Many WBCs also administer their own micro-grant programs funded by state and local sources.
WBCs are particularly valuable as a starting point if you're new to the grants landscape. A counselor can help you identify which grants you're most likely to win, review your applications before submission, and connect you with local programs that aren't widely advertised. Find your nearest WBC at SBA.gov/local-assistance.
Women veterans should also explore our veteran business grants guide, which covers programs like the StreetShares Hero Award that are open to military spouses. Black women entrepreneurs can layer these programs with those in our grants for Black-owned businesses guide for maximum funding coverage. For women in nonprofit leadership, our nonprofit grants guide maps foundation and corporate funding sources.
State-specific grants for women entrepreneurs
Many states operate their own women's business grant programs, often with less competition than national programs. Notable examples include:
New York: The Empire State Development Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) program provides preferential access to state contracting opportunities worth millions annually. WBE-certified businesses also qualify for exclusive grant and loan programs.
California: The CalOSBA Women's Business Centers, combined with the state's Small Business Technical Assistance program, provide grants and free services specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs. The state also administers the California Capital Access Program, which facilitates loans for women-owned businesses that don't qualify through traditional channels. For a complete list of California-specific programs, see our California small business grants guide.
Texas: The Texas Governor's Commission for Women partners with local economic development organizations to fund women's business programs. The Texas Association of Women Business Owners maintains a current list of state and local grants at each chapter.
Florida: Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Florida provides certification and connects women-owned businesses with corporate procurement opportunities and grant programs administered by regional economic development agencies.
For state-specific programs beyond California, our Ohio small business grants guide covers programs with dedicated tracks for women-owned businesses. For a quick-reference list of the top national programs, see our top 10 small business grants for 2026. Looking to build business skills before applying? EduBracket's free course guide includes entrepreneurship and financial literacy courses designed for founders.
Additional funding strategies for women entrepreneurs
Beyond grants, women entrepreneurs should explore these non-dilutive funding options:
WOSB Federal Contracting: The federal government has a goal of awarding 5% of all federal contracts to Women-Owned Small Businesses. Certification is free through the SBA and opens access to set-aside contracts that aren't available to non-certified businesses. In fiscal year 2025, over $30 billion in federal contracts went to women-owned businesses.
Microloans through CDFIs: Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) like Grameen America, Accion, and Kiva offer microloans of $500 to $50,000 specifically designed for women entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank loans. Interest rates are typically below market, and many CDFIs provide free business training alongside the loan.
Women-focused angel networks: Groups like 37 Angels, Golden Seeds, and Pipeline Angels specifically invest in women-led businesses. While these are investments rather than grants (meaning you'll give up equity), they provide larger amounts of capital and ongoing mentorship. For a deeper look at managing business finances as a woman founder, CeoCult's tax deduction guide covers what grant recipients and self-employed women need to know. Women running e-commerce businesses can also explore Amazon seller tools and FBA-specific grants covered at BagEngine's FBA tools guide.
AI writing tools can help polish your grant proposals before submission — see Nesyona's AI tool reviews for options that work well with grant narratives. For agriculture-focused women entrepreneurs, our USDA agriculture grants guide covers programs like VAPG that give priority to women farmers. And for education-related ventures, our education grants guide maps additional funding sources.
Who should apply for women's business grants
- Women who own at least 51% of their business
- Pre-launch and early-stage businesses (many programs welcome idea-stage founders)
- Businesses with a social, environmental, or community impact story
- Creative industry founders (fashion, design, tech, media)
- Women willing to invest time in applications — even simple ones like Amber Grant
- Businesses needing more than $100,000 — consider SBA loans or angel investment
- Companies where a woman owns less than 51% — look at general small business grants instead
- Businesses needing funds within 30 days — grants take 2-6 months minimum
Do I need WOSB certification to apply for women's grants?
Can a side business or pre-revenue startup qualify?
What if my business is co-owned with a man?
How can I improve my chances of winning?
Bottom line
The Amber Grant is the best starting point for most women entrepreneurs — it's simple, monthly, and open to all stages. For larger funding, the Cartier Women's Initiative offers the biggest award but demands the most thorough application. IFundWomen provides the most frequent opportunities through its rotating corporate partnerships. Whatever you choose, apply to multiple programs simultaneously — the numbers game matters. Visit your local SBA Women's Business Center for free application review before submitting. Read our grant writing guide →