Grants for women-owned businesses
Recurring grant programs, certifications and lender programs for women business owners, plus the eligibility fine print that most lists skip.
Updated September 2026. Details vary by lender and change often; confirm terms with the provider.
Grant programs that recur
| Program | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Grant (WomensNet) | $10,000 monthly; $25,000 year-end | Simple application, small fee, one of the longest-running |
| Cartier Women’s Initiative | up to $100,000 | Impact-driven, early-stage, global, highly competitive |
| IFundWomen grants | varies by partner (Visa, Caress and others) | Rolling corporate-sponsored rounds |
| Galaxy Grants (Hidden Star) | small cash awards | Quarterly, women and minority owners |
| Tory Burch Foundation Fellows | education plus grant | Annual cohort, US women entrepreneurs |
| SBA Women’s Business Centers | technical assistance, local grant leads | 100+ centers, free counseling |
Certification worth more than a grant
- WBENC (private sector): unlocks supplier-diversity programs at Fortune 500 companies.
- SBA WOSB / EDWOSB (federal): eligibility for set-aside federal contracts in industries where women are underrepresented. Free to self-certify through the SBA portal.
Lending programs
Many CDFIs and microlenders run women-focused loan funds with coaching attached. Ask your local Women’s Business Center which ones are active. If you have 6+ months of deposits, also run the 60-second match; several of our partners weight time in business and revenue over collateral.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be certified as a women-owned business?
Not for most grants. WBENC or SBA WOSB certification matters for corporate supplier-diversity contracts and federal set-aside contracting, which can be worth far more than any grant. Get certified if you sell to large companies or the government.
Is a business 51% owned by a woman enough?
That is the standard definition: at least 51% owned, controlled and operated by one or more women. Some programs also require the woman owner to manage day-to-day operations.