Grants for Women-Owned Businesses in 2026:
7 Real Funding Opportunities to Explore Now
Women entrepreneurs are starting businesses at one of the fastest rates in U.S. history — but access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to growth. Traditional loans can be difficult to qualify for, and giving up equity to investors means sharing ownership of what you’ve built.
Grants offer a different path: funding you keep, that doesn’t need to be repaid and doesn’t cost you a share of your company.
This guide covers seven active or returning grant programs specifically available to women entrepreneurs in 2026 — with real award amounts, verified eligibility details, and direct links to apply. Whether you’re launching a startup, running an established business, or leading a high-growth venture with global ambitions, there are opportunities here worth your time.
Why Women’s Business Grants Matter
The data on women and business funding tells a clear story. Women-owned businesses currently employ 10 million workers in the United States and generate trillions in revenue annually. Yet women entrepreneurs consistently receive a fraction of available venture capital and face more obstacles qualifying for traditional bank financing.
Grant programs exist specifically to close that gap. In addition to funding, many women’s grant programs offer:
• Mentorship and coaching from experienced business leaders
• Access to professional networks and investor connections
• Business education, training, and workshops
• Visibility and recognition that can open additional doors
The best grant programs aren’t just writing checks — they’re investing in you and your business long-term.
1. Amber Grant for Women
Founded in 1998 in memory of a young woman named Amber Wigdahl who never got to see her entrepreneurial dreams come true, the Amber Grant is now one of the most recognized and accessible women’s business grants in the country. The program awards at least $30,000 every single month to women-owned businesses — and one application enters you into every category you qualify for.
Award Amount:
Three $10,000 grants awarded monthly — the Amber Grant, the Startup Grant, and a rotating Business Category Grant. Monthly winners are also automatically considered for three $50,000 year-end grants.
Who Qualifies:
Women-owned businesses (at least 51% women-owned) based in the United States or Canada. Open to every industry and stage, including idea-stage and pre-revenue businesses.
Application Deadline:
Rolling — applications accepted year-round, reviewed and awarded monthly.
Application Fee:
$15 nonrefundable fee. Apply only through the official WomensNet website to avoid fraudulent lookalike sites.
Tip: One application enters you into all Amber Grant categories you qualify for. If you win a monthly grant, you’re automatically in the running for the $50,000 year-end award.
Apply: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com
2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
IFundWomen has built one of the most efficient systems for connecting women entrepreneurs with corporate grant funding. Instead of applying separately to each partner program, you submit one universal application and get matched to opportunities as they open throughout the year. Partners have included Visa, American Express, and dozens of other major brands.
Award Amount:
Varies by corporate partner program, typically ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
Who Qualifies:
Women-owned businesses and startups based in the United States. Eligibility for specific partner grants varies by program.
Application Deadline:
Rolling — the Universal Application is always open. You will be notified when your profile matches a new grant opportunity.
Tip: Complete your universal profile as thoroughly as possible. The more detail you provide, the better your chances of being matched to partner grants throughout the year.
Apply: https://www.ifundwomen.com/grants
3. HerRise MicroGrant (HerSuiteSpot)
Run by the Yva Jourdan Foundation, the nonprofit arm of HerSuiteSpot, the HerRise MicroGrant has been supporting women of color entrepreneurs since 2017. Every month, one winner is selected from submitted applications and awarded a $1,000 microgrant to put toward any real business expense — equipment, marketing, software, websites, and more.
It’s a smaller amount than some programs on this list, but the application process is simple, the turnaround is fast, and the program has a strong track record of helping early-stage entrepreneurs get their first business funding.
Award Amount:
$1,000 monthly microgrant.
Who Qualifies:
Women of color entrepreneurs with a legally registered U.S. small business and under $1 million in annual revenue. Nonprofits, franchises, direct sellers, and independent consultants are not eligible.
Application Deadline:
Applications close at 11:59 PM on the last day of each month. Winners are announced at the following month’s HerSuiteSpot First Friday Mixer.
Application Fee:
$15 nonrefundable administrative fee.
Tip: Winners are announced at a monthly virtual event. You do not need to be present to be selected. Late submissions roll into the following month’s cycle.
Apply: https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/
4. Galaxy Grant (Hidden Star)
The Galaxy Grant is one of the most founder-friendly programs available for women and minority entrepreneurs — no complicated paperwork, free to apply, and open to businesses at every stage, including those still in the planning phase. Administered by Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs since 2016, the program has awarded over $420,000 in grants to date.
Award Amount:
$2,500, awarded quarterly.
Who Qualifies:
Women-owned and minority-owned businesses based in the United States, at any stage — including aspiring entrepreneurs who haven’t launched yet.
Application Deadline:
July 31, 2026 for the current cycle. Winners announced the following week. Free to apply.
The application takes less than a minute to complete. If you qualify, there is no reason not to apply — it costs nothing and takes almost no time.
Apply: https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants/
5. Cartier Women’s Initiative — Regional Awards
Applications for the 2027 edition close June 16, 2026. Apply now if you qualify.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is one of the most prestigious grant programs in the world for women entrepreneurs. This is not a program for early-stage businesses — it’s a globally competitive fellowship designed for women leading impact-driven ventures that are already generating revenue and creating measurable social or environmental change.
The awards are substantial. First-place regional winners receive $100,000. Second-place awardees receive $60,000. Third-place awardees receive $30,000. Fellows also receive a structured year-long fellowship that includes leadership training, media coaching, an in-person INSEAD entrepreneurship program, and significant global visibility.
Award Amount:
$100,000 (first place), $60,000 (second place), or $30,000 (third place) per regional category. Fellowship support and training included for all winners.
Who Qualifies:
Women-led, impact-driven businesses from any country, generating revenue for at least one year. Businesses must be incorporated, and the applicant must be a majority founder or co-founder. Sole proprietorships are not eligible for Regional Awards. Must be 18 or older and have strong English proficiency.
Application Deadline:
June 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM CEST for the 2027 edition. This deadline is firm — the portal closes automatically.
Tip: This is a highly competitive global program. Prepare your impact narrative carefully, lead with measurable outcomes and data, and highlight how your business creates lasting change beyond revenue.
Apply: https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com
6. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
Applications for the 2026 cohort have closed. Watch for the 2027 cycle, expected to open in fall 2026.
The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program is one of the most comprehensive women’s entrepreneurship programs in the United States. Each year, approximately 120 women business owners are selected for a year-long fellowship that includes expert workshops, business coaching, peer mentorship, networking events, a virtual resource library, and even holistic wellness support through BetterHelp.
This isn’t a quick cash grant — it’s a full-year investment in the growth of your business. Past fellows describe it as transformative.
Award Amount:
Business education, mentorship, coaching, networking, and financial resources. Not a direct cash grant.
Who Qualifies:
Women entrepreneurs who own the largest stake in a U.S.-based, for-profit business generating at least $75,000 annually. Must be 21 or older.
Next Application Cycle:
The 2026 application closed November 11, 2025. The 2027 program application is expected to open in fall 2026. Bookmark the site and apply early when the next window opens.
Tip: Sign up for the Tory Burch Foundation email list so you’re notified the moment the 2027 application opens. Competition is strong and early preparation matters.
Learn more: https://www.toryburchfoundation.org/fellows/
7. SBA Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)
The U.S. Small Business Administration does not directly offer cash grants to most for-profit businesses — but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing valuable here for women entrepreneurs. The SBA’s national network of Women’s Business Centers provides something arguably more valuable: free and low-cost guidance from people who know how to find, apply for, and win grants.
WBC advisors can help you identify grant opportunities you qualify for, review and strengthen your applications, build your business plan, and connect you with local funding programs that never make national headlines.
What It Offers:
Free one-on-one business counseling, workshops, grant research assistance, business plan support, and referrals to local and federal funding programs.
Who Qualifies:
Any entrepreneur or small business owner. WBCs serve women, veterans, minorities, and underserved communities with no income requirements.
How to Access:
Find your nearest Women’s Business Center through the SBA’s online locator tool.
Tip: If you’re new to grant applications and not sure where to start, a free WBC counseling session is one of the most valuable first steps you can take.
Find a WBC near you: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers
How to Improve Your Chances of Winning a Women’s Business Grant
The women’s grant programs with the best reputations are also the most competitive. Here’s what separates applications that win from applications that don’t:
Tell a specific, compelling story
Grant reviewers read hundreds of applications. The ones that stand out describe exactly who the business serves, what problem it solves, and specifically how the funding will be used. Numbers help. “We will use the grant to hire one part-time employee and serve 40 additional clients by December” is far stronger than “we will use funding to grow our business.”
Know your eligibility before you apply
Each program has specific requirements around business ownership percentage, revenue, industry, and location. Read every eligibility requirement before investing time in an application. Applying for a grant you don’t qualify for guarantees rejection regardless of how strong your application is.
Have your documents ready
Most grant applications ask for some combination of a business description, EIN, financial statements, tax returns, business license, and a description of how funds will be used. Keeping a prepared “grant folder” with these documents saves significant time and allows you to move quickly when new opportunities open.
Apply consistently, not just once
The most successful grant applicants treat it as an ongoing strategy, not a one-time attempt. Apply to multiple programs throughout the year, learn from each submission, and keep going. Many successful recipients were rejected several times before winning their first grant.
Find More Women’s Business Grants and Funding Resources
The seven programs listed here are a starting point — not the full picture. New grant opportunities for women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, startups, and Florida business owners open throughout the year.
Our grant directory is updated regularly so you can find current opportunities, check eligibility requirements, and apply without spending hours searching across dozens of websites.
Bookmark this page, browse the latest listings, and take that next step. The right grant for your business is out there.