10 Funding Resources Women-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs:

  • February 26, 2020

Help comes in a multitude of forms. Here is a quick list of the latest funding opportunities making waves. While some target companies that are in growth stages, others offer advice and support for women professionals at large. 

Be sure to check with each organization with regard to the focus, fit, funding amounts, deadlines, and approach.

Don’t see funding that fits your needs? Let us develop a highly curated menu to fit your specific funding needs. We can identify federal, state, foundation, or other opportunities that can help sustain existing initiatives or make new plans and future successes a reality.

  1. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Global Challenges: The foundation awards its grants primarily to 501(c)(3) organizations, but if you run a business that is solving health and development problems through innovation, this grant could be yours. Check here for their open applications and keep in mind that the open grants are usually specific to a particular problem.
  2. Cartier Women’s Initiative: This program offers grants for small businesses run by women with the goal of helping them grow and take their businesses to the next level. Twenty-one finalists are chosen in this Cartier business grant program—14 will receive $30,000 and the top seven will receive $100,000 each.
  3. Eileen Fisher Grant Program: Eileen Fisher is a clothing shop for women who’s founder has a personal passion for helping women-owned businesses. All grants exceed $10,000 and are awarded to up to 10 applicants each year. Businesses must be in operation for a minimum of three years and meet other various requirements. (Note: the next grant application will become available in mid-2020 and will support women working in environmental justice.)
  4. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: Each year since 2013, FedEx has offered $25,000 grants to businesses. The application process is a short one-month period, so ready your applications for the February 20th open date. You’ll need to capture your business’s story via video
  5. InnovateHER Women Business Challenge: The Small Business Administration hosts this grant contest to empower women with a business plan for an innovative product or service. It’s an involved process to apply—applications must find a local Challenge to compete in hosted by a local organization. From the local challenges, one winner is selected to advance to the semi-final round. Finalists will then be invited to the SBA’s national InnovateHER business challenge where they will pitch their ideas to expert judges. The top three businesses receive awards ranging from $10,000 – $40,000.
  6. National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants: NASE Growth Grants are offered to NASE members looking to take their business to the next level. NASE grants are worth up to $4,000 and can be used for all types of activities, like purchasing new equipment, hiring help, and creating promotional material.
  7. Nav’s “Legitify Your Small Business” Grant: We’re offering a $10,000 small business grant to the most deserving business that applies. The application is easy, we just ask that you let your personality shine.
  8. Open Meadows Foundation Grants: The Open Meadows Foundation offers grants under $2,000 to projects designed and implemented by women for the community. Startups and small businesses are given priority. Grants are accepted during the winter and summer each year.
  9. The Girlboss Foundation Grant: Launched in 2014 by entrepreneur Sophia Amoruso, the Girlboss Foundation awards grants twice a year to female and female-identifying entrepreneurs. Each grant recipient receives funding of $15,000. Grants are exclusive to female business owners working in design, fashion, music and the arts. Selections are judged by creativity and innovation, business acumen and planning, and demonstration of a financial need.
  10. Tory Burch Fellows Program: This competitive grant-fellows program is designed for women entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses and get the support they need to do so. Tory Burch Fellows receive a $5,000 grant, a one-year fellowship with educational and networking opportunities, a trip to the Tory Burch offices, and more.

How do you know if you need an Evaluator?


We work with high-growth startups and organizations that support the startup and innovation ecosystem. We build highly specific non-dilutive funding menus, provide proposal preparation services, and measure outcomes of funding through evaluation. Schedule a consult call with us HERE.

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