Comprehensive Small Business Grants Guide With Focus on Women-Owned Businesses
Happy New Year - now let's get to work.
Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers for women entrepreneurs, particularly women of color. That's not news to any of us. But here's what I know: the money is out there if you know where to look. This guide compiles over 60 grant opportunities for small business owners, with a focus on women-owned and minority-owned businesses. These are real dollars, no repayment required, ranging from $500 micro-grants to six-figure awards. Stop leaving money on the table. Your business deserves investment, and these funders are actively looking for entrepreneurs like you.
Monthly & Rolling Application Grants
Amber Grant Foundation
Amount: $10,000 monthly (3 winners); $50,000 annual grants (3 winners)
Eligibility: Women 18+ with 50% women-owned business in US or Canada
Deadline: Last day of each month
Website: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com
Women Founders Grant
Amount: $5,000 monthly
Eligibility: US-based, 18+, 51% women-owned and operated
Deadline: Last day of each month
HerRise Micro-Grant
Amount: $1,000 monthly
Eligibility: Women of color entrepreneurs in the US
Deadline: Monthly selection
Website: https://hersuitespot.com
Freed Fellowship
Amount: $500 monthly + $2,500 annual; includes 60-min coaching session
Eligibility: US small business owners
Deadline: Monthly selection
Awesome Foundation Grants
Amount: $1,000 monthly
Eligibility: Individuals and groups with various projects
Deadline: Rolling; 84 independent chapters
Quarterly Application Grants
NASE Growth Grants
Amount: Up to $4,000 (4 grants per quarter)
Eligibility: NASE members; small business owners including women entrepreneurs
Deadline: Quarterly
Website: https://www.nase.org
Start.Pivot.Grow Micro-Grants
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 2+ years in business, 1-2 employees, $50,000+ annual revenue
Deadline: Quarterly applications
ZenBusiness Grant
Amount: $5,000 + free ZenBusiness products
Eligibility: New businesses launched via ZenBusiness platform in past 3-6 months
Deadline: Quarterly
Secretsos Small Business Grant
Amount: $2,500
Eligibility: US entrepreneurs 21+; $15 application fee
Deadline: Quarterly; next deadline December 31, 2025
Annual Competition & Major Grants
FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
Amount: $50,000 grand prize; $20,000 to 9 runners-up
Eligibility: For-profit US business, 6+ months in operation, fewer than 99 employees
Deadline: Typically opens early in the year
Website: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html
Cartier Women's Initiative
Amount: $100,000 (1st), $60,000 (2nd), $30,000 (3rd) per region
Eligibility: Women-owned/led impact-driven businesses worldwide
Additional Benefits: Business training, mentorship, networking
Website: https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
Amount: $5,000 education grant + access to 0% interest loans via Kiva
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs with 51%+ ownership, 1-5 years in operation, $75,000+ revenue preferred
Additional Benefits: Workshops, coaching, networking
Website: https://www.toryburchfoundation.org
Amazon Business Small Business Grants
Amount: $25,000 grand prize; $20,000 (4 finalists); $15,000 (10 semi-finalists)
Eligibility: Amazon Business customers with less than $1 million annual revenue
Deadline: May 23, 2025 (check for 2026)
Fund Her Future (H&R Block)
Amount: $50,000 grand prize; $10,000 (5 runners-up)
Eligibility: US-based women-owned business, $20,000+ revenue in prior year
Additional Benefits: Free bookkeeping, payroll, tax support
Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero Program
Amount: $20,000 (3 winners per quarter)
Eligibility: US small businesses, owners 18+
Deadline: February 14, 2026
Her Agenda Breakthrough Grant
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs with operating business, newsletter subscribers
Deadline: January 18, 2026
Website: https://heragenda.com
Amex Shop Small Grants Program
Amount: $20,000
Eligibility: For-profit, independently owned brick-and-mortar US business, 20 or fewer employees
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Lenovo Evolve Small Business Grant
Amount: $25,000 + mentorship and technical assistance
Eligibility: Minority-owned, disabled-owned, and women-owned businesses
Deadline: Check website for 2026 dates
Grants for Black Women & Women of Color
Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Initiative
Amount: $25,000 - $250,000
Eligibility: 51% Black women-owned, 2+ years in operation, clear growth potential
Deadline: Applications open June; rolling selections
SheaMoisture Community Impact Grant
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Black-owned businesses registered and based in US, 1+ year in operation
The Next Black Millionaires Grant (SheaMoisture)
Amount: $100,000 + business development services and retail distribution support
Eligibility: 2+ years in business, $25,000+ annual revenue
Brown Girl Jane Grant
Amount: $10,000 - $25,000
Eligibility: Black and woman-owned beauty or wellness businesses, 1+ year in operation
The Blueprint Grant
Amount: $10,000 + 1:1 mentoring
Eligibility: Black women aged 18-35 in the United States
Black Girl Ventures Pitch Program
Amount: $10,000 (1st), $6,000 (2nd), $2,000 (3rd)
Eligibility: Black women with business valued under $1 million
Website: https://www.blackgirlventures.org
SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant
Amount: $5,000 - $10,000
Eligibility: Black women or Black nonbinary entrepreneurs with registered businesses
Deadline: Rolling applications
Website: https://www.sogalfoundation.org
Comcast RISE
Amount: $5,000 - $10,000 + marketing/technology resources
Eligibility: Women and people of color owned businesses in specific cities
Website: https://www.comcastrise.com
Visa She's Next Grant Program
Amount: $5,000 + educational resources
Eligibility: Women-owned (including Black women), 2+ years operation, B2C, $24k+ revenue
Sephora Beauty Grant (with Fifteen Percent Pledge)
Amount: $100,000
Eligibility: Black-owned beauty businesses, 1+ year operation, $100,000+ annual revenue
Deadline: Typically opens in October
Galaxy of Stars Grant
Amount: $2,750 - $3,500
Eligibility: Women and minority entrepreneurs
Deadline: June 30, 2025 (check for 2026)
Industry-Specific Grants
Retail: Faire Small Business Grant
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: New retail businesses launched 2024-2026 or planning to open
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Food/Beverage: Stacy's Rise Project
Amount: $25,000 + mentorship by PepsiCo executives
Eligibility: Women-owned, $25,000-$1 million annual sales
Deadline: Applications typically open in fall
Jewelry: Halstead Grant
Amount: $7,500 + $1,000 in materials
Eligibility: US female entrepreneurs in jewelry, business less than 3 years old
Website: https://www.halsteadbead.com/grant
Home Services: Home Services Grants
Amount: $10,000 (15 recipients)
Eligibility: Home service-related businesses
Creative Industries: Girlboss Foundation Grant
Amount: $15,000 + digital exposure
Eligibility: Women in design, fashion, music, and arts
Deadline: Twice yearly
Moms: High Five Grant (Mama Ladder)
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Women caregivers with children (moms, stepmoms, foster moms)
Website: https://themamaladder.com
Moms: The Kitty Fund
Amount: $1,000 (25 recipients)
Eligibility: Mother-owned businesses, 2-100 employees, 1+ year in business, under $5 million revenue
Federal & Government Programs
Grants.gov
Central database for federally sponsored small business grants with 1,000+ programs from 20+ agencies.
Website: https://www.grants.gov
SBA SBIR/STTR Programs
Amount: Varies; for R&D and technology commercialization
Eligibility: Small businesses engaged in scientific research and development
Website: https://www.sbir.gov
SBA PRIME Program
Provides microenterprise development grants to organizations offering training and coaching to disadvantaged entrepreneurs including women.
Website: https://www.sba.gov
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Federal contracting assistance for socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners. Provides training, technical guidance, and federal contract access.
Eligibility: 51% owned by economically/socially disadvantaged US citizens, net worth $250,000 or less
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
US Department of Commerce agency promoting growth of minority business enterprises. Offers business consulting and funding connections.
Website: https://www.mbda.gov
Louisiana-Specific Programs
Louisiana SSBCI Programs
Amount: Up to $113 million in federal support available
State Small Business Credit Initiative provides targeted support to minority and women business owners through Micro Lending Program and Loan Guaranty Program.
Louisiana Innovation Retention Grant
Amount: Up to $100,000
Eligibility: STEM start-up companies in Louisiana
Louisiana STEP Grant
Amount: Up to $6,333 (90% reimbursement)
Purpose: Trade shows, trade missions, export training workshops
Louisiana Resources
• WBEC South - 401 Saint Joseph Street, Suite 2A, New Orleans, LA 70130, Phone: (504) 830-0149
• Louisiana Small Business Development Center - Phone: (866) 782-4159
• Louisiana Economic Development - https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov
Grant Search Platforms & Resources
IFundWomen
Universal Grant Application connects women-owned businesses with grants, coaching, and investors. Partners include Visa, Comcast, American Express, Neutrogena, and Adidas.
Website: https://www.ifundwomen.com
Hello Alice
Free platform offering grant opportunities, business resources, and community. Partners with major corporations for various grant programs.
Website: https://www.helloalice.com
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Amount: $10,000 grants
Eligibility: Active users of the Digital Ready platform (complete 2 courses/coaching)
Website: https://www.verizon.com/business/small-business-essentials/
Women's Business Centers (WBCs)
SBA-funded centers providing free counseling, training, and resources to women entrepreneurs. Find local center at SBA website.
SCORE
Free mentorship and educational workshops for small business owners.
Website: https://www.score.org
Application Tips
• Keep financials organized: Maintain clean P&L statements, cash flow records, and tax documents
• Tell your story: Highlight your mission, values, and community impact
• Apply broadly: Submit to multiple grants to increase chances of success
• Meet deadlines early: Start applications well before due dates
• Get certified: Consider WBE, MBE, or SBA 8(a) certification for additional opportunities
• Track requirements: Note each grant's specific eligibility and documentation needs
Disclaimer: Grant programs, amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with the grant provider before applying. This guide is for informational purposes only.
If you need assistance completing grant application forms, we offer a workshop. www.thecouventcollective.com
