5 Grant Opportunities For Female Entrepreneurs to Launch And Grow Your Business

According to stats by Small Biz Genius, ‘Four out of every 10 businesses in the United States are owned by women.’ Over the last year, a growing number of women have started their own businesses, despite the barriers to female entrepreneurship.

If you’re a female business owner, or you’ve got entrepreneurial dreams, here are a few grant opportunities which are worth taking a look at.

Grant Opportunities For Female Entrepreneurs

The Amber Grant

The Amber Grant was created in 1998 by Womensnet.com. The program was developed in honor of Amber Wigdahl who passed away when she was 19, before fulfilling her entrepreneurial ambitions.

The grant awards $10,000 per month to a female business owner. One grant receiver will also receive an extra $25,000 as the year comes to an end.

Applicants only need to make a payment of $15 and to explain the inception of their business. Past recipients have run many different types of businesses, including engineering, junk removal and primary care.

Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

The Cartier Women’s Initiative was first established in 2006. This award is granted to 21 entrepreneurs each year, from all across the globe.

Finalists receive $30,000 while the overall winner receives a $100,000 grand prize and mentoring.

The grant was designed for women who are in the early phase of their business development. All of the finalists receive a place in a program called ‘Social Entrepreneurship Six-Day Executive Program’. Finalists also get the chance to participate in coaching seminars and business workshops.

SARE

This grant is not strictly for female applicants, however, it is an exciting opportunity for those in the agriculture industry. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) offers grants to encourage eco-friendly agriculture.

Some of these grants are designed for start-up farms, and others for farm producers. There’s a key focus on research and education. SARE aims to help more people in the US to start up their own organic farming businesses. If you run a farming business Scherer provides some great equipment and resources for the farming industry.

Visa’s She’s Next Program

She’s Next is a program designed especially for businesses owned by black women. These opportunities are for B2C companies that have been in operation for two years at least.

Visa recently awarded prizes of $10,000, and a year’s coaching, to six companies owned by black women in the USA. Recent recipients included a mother and daughter Evana and Zoe Oli, founders of the beauty brand ‘Beautiful Curly Me’. Another finalist was Lactricia Wilder, founder of ‘Vibe Ride Detroit’, an affordable fitness company.

The Ms.Foundation

The Ms.Foundation provides several grants for women, the project focuses on businesses that help to support women and girls. Previously, grant recipients have worked on reproductive health products, affordable childcare, and projects to stop domestic violence. As well as funding, the foundation offers training access, networking events, and mentoring support.

Access each website to find more details about the grant opportunities and the eligibility requirements. With lots of opportunities available there are many ways that you can grow your business.