Spring vibes are in full swing, and it’s time to level up your entrepreneurial game! If you’ve been waiting for your moment to shine, consider this your golden ticket. Funding opportunities are all around us, just waiting for you to claim them. With millions of dollars in small business grants left unclaimed each year, it’s like finding hidden treasure – all you have to do is dig a little deeper!
But hey, don’t just take it from me – I’ve been in your shoes and secured several game-changing grants myself. Remember the Jones New York Empowerment Grant? Yeah, that one came with a boss mentor, a killer wardrobe, and a fat check. It was practically like winning the lottery!
In my book, YOUR NEXT LEVEL LIFE: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, AND Opportunity For Black Women In America, I’ve got a whole section dedicated to these life-changing opportunities. Grab your copy and let’s dive into the world of grants together.
Now, let’s talk about those grants. Here are seven incredible opportunities you can apply for right now:
Amber Grant
Every month, WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses. One grant is given to a startup, one is for businesses in specific, rotating categories (the April category is sustainability, and the May category is mental and emotional support), and the final grant is for general small businesses. At the end of each year, monthly grant winners are eligible to receive one of three $25,000 annual grants.
The application is relatively simple: Explain your business, describe what you’d do with the grant money and pay a $15 application fee. The foundation’s advisory board chooses the winners, looking for women with passion and a good story. Businesses operating in the U.S. and Canada are eligible.
Because there’s no time in business requirement, companies seeking startup business grants for women may want to prioritize the Amber Grant.
2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
IFundWomen is a grant marketplace that specializes in funding and coaching for women-owned businesses. You can submit one application and when IFundWomen adds a grant from an enterprise partner, it will match the partner’s grant criteria to applications within the database.
If your business is a match, you’ll receive a notification and invitation to apply. Previous grant partners have included companies like Visa, Neutrogena and American Express.
3. HerRise Microgrant
HerRise Microgrants are offered by the Yva Jourdan Foundation, the nonprofit arm of HerSuiteSpot, an organization that provides business coaching and training to women of color entrepreneurs. $1,000 grants are awarded each month and applications are accepted on a monthly basis. To be eligible, your business must be at least 51% woman of color owned and you must have less than $1 million in gross revenue.
4. Corporate Counsel Women of Color Entrepreneur Grant
Businesses that have been in operation since at least Jan. 1, 2020 may be eligible for a CCWC Women of Color Entrepreneur Grant. Five businesses will be selected to receive $2,500 grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
5. Dream Makers Founders Grant
A collaboration with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, the Dream Makers Founders Grant offers $25,000 grants to five female small-business owners. To be eligible, your business must employ between two and 10 people, generate revenue between $100,000 and $1 million and at least 51% female owned. You must also be a member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community. Applications are accepted from March 25 – April 30, 2024.
6. BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
Presented as a collaboration between BMO Bank and Deloitte, the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program is open to small businesses that are at least 51% women-owned and are located in one of 24 states. Additional eligibility requirements include that your business must have been in operation for at least two years, and your annual revenue cannot exceed $5 million. Fifteen female entrepreneurs will receive $10,000 grants. The application window is open from April 30 – May 14, 2024.
>> MORE: Small-business grants in Colorado
7. Fund Her Future
Fund Her Future, a grant program from Block Advisors by H&R Block, is open to women business owners nationwide. One grand prize winner will receive a $50,000 grant, while four additional small businesses will get $12,500 each. Winners will also receive a year of free small business services, including bookkeeping, payroll and tax support. To be eligible your business must be at least 51% woman-owned. Applications are accepted from April 29 – May 26, 2024.
8. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition
In its 11th year, the Fast Pitch Competition from the Women Founders Network is open to U.S. businesses started by women. To be eligible, your business cannot have raised more than $750,000. Selected participants pitch their businesses in person and winners receive $25,000 grants. Applications for the next cycle will be accepted from April 1 – May 31, 2024.
9. Galaxy Grant
This grant program, which is presented by Hidden Star, a nonprofit organization, is open to women and minority small business owners. Winners can receive a grant of $2,750. The application deadline is June 30, 2024.
10. She’s Connected by AT&T
She’s Connected by AT&T is open to U.S.-based small-businesses that are women-owned and have fewer than 51 employees. The grand prize winner will receive a $50,000 grant and a year of free AT&T service alongside a new device. Four runner-up businesses will receive $5,000 microgrants. Applications for this year’s cycle are open from March 31 – July 10, 2024.
11. Giving Joy Grants
Women over the age of 18 are eligible to apply for a grant from Giving Joy. Winners will receive microgrants between $250 and $500, which can be put toward launching a business or nonprofit, or expanding an existing business or charity organization. There are two application windows for this year: The first runs from Jan. 1 – April 30 and the second from June 1 – Sept. 30, 2024.
12. EmpowHER Grants
Female small-business owners who are at least 22 years old may be eligible for an EmpowHER grant from Boundless Future Foundation. Your business must have been established within the last three years in order to be eligible. Grant funding is awarded as reimbursement of up to $25,000 for business-related expenses. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis; the next deadline is June 16, 2024.
13. Her Village Grant
Another program offered by the Boundless Future Foundation, Her Village Grant it is open to nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $30,000. The next application window runs from July to September 2024.
14. Brown Girl Jane x SheaMoisture Grant
Presented by SheaMoisture and Brown Girl Jane, a wellness and beauty brand, this grant is open to Black and women-owned beauty or wellness businesses. Grants between $10,000 and $25,000 are awarded. Applications for the next cycle will open in fall 2024.
