By demographic · 9 min read
Grants for Women-Owned Businesses: 12 Programs Worth Applying To
The grants worth your time as a woman founder - Amber, IFundWomen, Cartier, SBA WOSB, Visa She's Next, and more.
Eligibility basics
For most women-owned business grants, your company must be at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women. The federal WOSB and EDWOSB programs require third-party certification; most private grants accept self-attestation.
12 programs worth applying to
- Amber Grant for Women - $10K monthly, $25K annual; low-friction one-page application.
- IFundWomen Universal Grant Application - one form, many corporate sponsors.
- Cartier Women's Initiative - global; up to $100K plus mentorship for impact-driven founders.
- Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program - $5K grant, year of programming, capital pitch.
- Visa She's Next Grant Program - $10K + IFundWomen coaching.
- Halstead Grant - $7,500 for emerging silver jewelry artists.
- Galaxy Grants from HerSuiteSpot - quarterly; for women of color.
- SBA WOSB / EDWOSB set-asides - federal-contract opportunities, not pure grants but non-dilutive revenue.
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) grants - vary by chapter.
- Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program - sustainable, women-led companies.
- 37 Angels grant + investment competitions - equity-light awards.
- SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant - $10K-$25K for Black women and nonbinary founders.
What reviewers actually score
- A clear, specific problem you've identified through your lived experience or customer research.
- Traction - even modest - that de-risks the award.
- A use-of-funds plan that ties each dollar to a measurable outcome.
- For programs with public alumni, evidence you fit the "type" they've previously funded.
FAQ
Do I need WOSB certification?
Only for federal WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside contracts. Most private grants only require self-attestation that the business is at least 51% woman-owned.
Are women-only grants legal?
Yes - private foundations and corporations may legally restrict grants to women-owned businesses. Federal WOSB programs are governed by SBA rules.
About Chombo
Stop hunting. Start applying.
Chombo is a funding engine for students, founders, and creatives. We pull scholarships, grants, and fellowships from federal, state, and private sources into one filterable feed — matched to who you are, where you're based, and what you need.
- Personalized matches — filtered by persona, stage, and needs, not generic lists.
- One workspace per application — requirements, tasks, documents, and notes in one place.
- Deadline nudges — a reminder three days before each one closes.
Free to browse. No credit card. Refreshed daily.