What grants are available for women-owned small businesses?

In 2026, women-owned businesses can apply for: the Amber Grant ($10,000 monthly + $25,000 annual winner); the Cartier Women's Initiative ($100,000 for social impact businesses); the Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant ($10,000); FedEx Small Business Grant (open to all, but women-owned businesses are encouraged); USDA grants for rural women-owned businesses; SBA's Women's Business Centers (WBCs) which connect women to grants and low-cost loans; and state-level women-in-business programs.

Do I need to be certified as a woman-owned business to apply for grants?

Not always. Many private grants simply require a self-attestation that the business is majority women-owned (51%+). However, federal contracts and some government grant programs require official WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) certification through the SBA. SBA WOSB certification is free and available online. WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) certification costs $350–$1,250 and is recognized by major corporations for supplier diversity programs.

What is the SBA Women's Business Center?

SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs) are a national network of over 140 educational centers that provide free or low-cost business training, counseling, and access to capital for women entrepreneurs. WBCs don't directly give grants, but they connect women business owners to grant opportunities, loan programs, and certification resources. Find your nearest WBC at sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers.

How competitive are women's small business grants?

Very competitive. The Amber Grant receives thousands of applications monthly for one $10,000 award. The Cartier Women's Initiative accepts only 36 finalists globally. That said, there are many smaller state and local programs with fewer applicants — city economic development offices, CDFI grants, and community foundation grants often have application pools of under 100 for awards of $5,000–$25,000. Applying to multiple programs simultaneously is the best strategy.

Small Business Grants for Women 2026 — Free Funding for Female Entrepreneurs

Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all US businesses, yet women still receive a disproportionately small share of conventional business financing. Grants designed for women entrepreneurs help close that gap — offering free capital from $10,000 to $100,000+ without the repayment obligations of a loan. Here are the top programs available in 2026 and how to apply competitively.

Top Small Business Grants for Women in 2026

Grant	Amount	Deadline	Who Can Apply
Amber Grant (WomensNet)	$10,000/month + $25,000 annual	Monthly rolling	Women-owned businesses; US and Canada
Cartier Women’s Initiative	Up to $100,000	Annual (typically January)	Women-led impact businesses, worldwide
Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant	$10,000	Annual (varies)	Women-owned businesses under $1M revenue
Visa Everywhere Initiative	Up to $100,000	Annual	Innovation-focused; women encouraged
Hello Alice Grant	$10,000–$25,000	Rolling / periodic	Open; focuses on underserved founders
Comcast RISE	$10,000 + services	Periodic	Women and minority-owned businesses
NASE Growth Grant	Up to $4,000	Quarterly	NASE members
SBA 8(a) Program	Contracts, not cash	Ongoing	Socially disadvantaged businesses (women qualify)

Federal Programs That Support Women-Owned Businesses

SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification

WOSB certification qualifies your business for set-aside federal contracts in industries where women are underrepresented. It’s not a grant itself, but it unlocks access to federal procurement that can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Requirements:

51%+ owned and controlled by women
Women must manage day-to-day operations and long-term decisions
Meet SBA size standards for your industry
US citizen(s)

How to certify: Free through certify.sba.gov

SBA Community Advantage Loans

While not grants, SBA Community Advantage loans (through CDFIs and mission-based lenders) are specifically targeted at underserved markets including women entrepreneurs. Loan amounts up to $350,000 at rates close to standard SBA 7(a) rates.

USDA Women in Agriculture

The USDA Office of Rural Development and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) run grant programs prioritizing women farmers and rural women entrepreneurs. Awards range from $5,000 to $500,000 depending on the program.

State and Local Women’s Business Grants

Every state has some form of women-in-business support. Examples:

State	Program	Amount
California	CalOSBA Women’s Business Grants	$5,000–$25,000
New York	Empire State Development Women’s Grants	$5,000–$50,000
Texas	Texas Women’s Business Enterprise Network	Varies
Illinois	DCEO Women’s Business Grant	$5,000–$25,000
Florida	FSBDC Women-Owned Business Support	Training + loans

Search “[your state] women-owned business grant” and check your state’s economic development office website.

Private Grants Worth Applying For

Amber Grant (WomensNet): The most accessible women’s business grant. Each month, one business wins $10,000. Monthly winners are eligible for the annual $25,000 Amber Grant. Application is simple — 500-word essay about your business and what the money would do. Apply at ambergrant.com.

Cartier Women’s Initiative: Global competition for women-led businesses with measurable social or environmental impact. Six regional winners receive €100,000 each; 30 finalists receive €30,000. Requires detailed application including financials and impact metrics. Apply at cartierwomensinitiative.com.

How to Get Certified as a Women-Owned Business

To maximize grant and contract eligibility, pursue multiple certifications:

Certification	Issued By	Cost	Opens Access To
WOSB	SBA	Free	Federal contracts (set-asides)
EDWOSB	SBA	Free	Federal contracts in underrepresented industries
WBENC	WBENC	$350–$1,250	Corporate supplier diversity programs
NWBOC	NWBOC	$400	Alternative to WBENC for corporations
State certification	State agency	Usually free	State contracts and programs

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy