The Women-Owned Business Grant Landscape
Women-owned businesses represent nearly 40% of all US businesses, but receive a disproportionately small share of business capital. Grant programs specifically targeting women entrepreneurs exist to close that gap — funded by federal agencies, state governments, corporations, and private foundations.
The key distinction: some programs require formal WOSB or EDWOSB certification, while others simply require that the business be majority women-owned with documentation to prove it. Knowing which category each program falls into saves significant application time.
Federal Programs for Women-Owned Businesses
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
While technically a contracting set-aside rather than a direct grant, the WOSB program reserves a portion of federal contracts for certified women-owned businesses. Winning a federal contract is functionally equivalent to grant funding for many service businesses. Getting WOSB certified also strengthens applications to nearly every other women-focused program. Apply through the SBA's free certification portal at certify.sba.gov.
Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) Certification
A subset of WOSB for businesses where the owner's personal net worth is under $850,000 (excluding primary residence and business equity). EDWOSB status opens access to an even larger pool of set-aside federal contracts and some grant programs with stricter eligibility criteria. Both WOSB and EDWOSB certifications are free through the SBA.
SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs)
Over 130 SBA-funded Women's Business Centers operate across the US, providing free grant research, application coaching, business planning, and mentorship. WBCs are the single best free resource for women entrepreneurs navigating grant applications. Find your nearest center at sba.gov/local-assistance.
MBDA Programs for Women of Color
The Minority Business Development Agency has specific programs supporting women of color who own businesses. MBDA Business Centers provide direct connections to grant programs, capital sources, and federal contracting opportunities. Particularly valuable for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American women entrepreneurs.
Private and Corporate Grant Programs
Amber Grant Foundation
One of the most accessible women's business grants — awards $10,000 monthly to a woman entrepreneur, plus a $25,000 year-end grant to one monthly winner. No industry restrictions. Applications are simple and rolling. The $15 application fee funds program operations. Highly recommended as a low-effort, regular application.
Visa Everywhere Initiative — She's Next Grant
Visa's She's Next program provides grants of $10,000 plus business resources to women-owned small businesses. The program has run annual grant cycles targeting businesses with under $3M in revenue. Focus areas include underrepresented women entrepreneurs and businesses demonstrating community impact.
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
IFundWomen partners with major corporations including Google, Comcast, and others to fund grants to women-owned businesses. Their universal application lets you apply once and be considered for multiple corporate grant programs simultaneously. Grant amounts vary by partner program, typically $5,000–$25,000.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
The Tory Burch Foundation offers a competitive fellowship program for women entrepreneurs that includes a $5,000 grant, access to low-interest loans through Bank of America, and a year of education and mentorship. Applications open annually — highly competitive but high value beyond the grant itself.
State-Level Women's Business Grant Programs
Every state has some form of women's business support program. The strongest ones include:
- California iHUB — innovation hub grants available to women-owned tech businesses
- New York State Women's Business Development Council — grant programs and MWBE certification support
- Texas Women's Business Center — grant identification and application coaching in San Antonio and Houston
- Illinois Women's Business Development Center — Chicago-based programs with statewide reach
- Every state's SBDC network has staff specifically focused on women-owned business grant access
Getting Certified: WOSB, MWBE, and WBE
Certifications unlock access. The three most valuable for grant applications are:
- WOSB / EDWOSB — federal certification through the SBA, free, required for federal set-asides
- WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) — private sector certification through WBENC, accepted by most major corporations
- MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) — state-level certification, varies by state, often required for state contract and grant programs
Most grant programs don't require certification upfront, but having it in place before applying removes a common rejection reason and shortens review times.
What If You Need Capital Before a Grant Comes Through?
Most women's grant programs have competitive application cycles — monthly for some, annual for others, with review periods that can stretch weeks to months. If your business has a capital need now, working capital financing can bridge the gap while you pursue grants simultaneously.
Revenue-based financing qualifies based on your monthly revenue, not your personal credit score, and can fund in 24–72 hours. Many women business owners run both tracks at once. Our free assessment takes 2 minutes and shows you what you qualify for right now.
See What Funding You Qualify For