In a world that’s run mainly by men in power suits and well-maintained hipster beards, you might think that it’s hard to find businesses run by women. It is actually quite the opposite. In fact, in the last 20 years, businesses owned by women have increased by 114% in the United States alone.
Because they often face a lot of discrimination and harassment in traditional working spaces, more and more women are opting to start their own businesses. Becoming an entrepreneur also allows them to balance work life and familial obligation more easily.
The surge in women entrepreneurs has also increased the number of organizations that provide small business grants to women. This provides women with an alternative to small business loans or using credit cards to get the capital they need to start up their own business. But the problem is find small business grants and business loans for women. While there are a lot of small business grants that are open to everyone, the following resources are either exclusively for women business owners or highly encourage women business owners to apply.
1. FedEx small business grant
Every year, FedEx awards 10 business owners with small business grants through their FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Eight winners receive a business grant worth $15,000 plus $1,000 worth of FedEx Office print and business services. One winner will receive $30,000 plus $5,000 worth of FedEx Office print and business services. And one business owner will receive $50,000 plus $7,500 worth of FedEx Office print and business services.
2. Girlboss foundation grant
Female entrepreneurs with businesses in the creative industry might be more keen to apply for a grant through The Girlboss Foundation. Founded by Sophia Amoruso, who some might now as the founder of Nasty Gal, The Girlboss Foundation awards grants on a biannual basis to business-minded females to help them pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Grant winners will receive funding worth $15,000 plus exposure through the Girlboss website as well as local and regional press.
3. Amber grant
Named after a women who died at the age of 19 before she could bring to life her entrepreneurial dreams, the Amber Grant awards funding to women entrepreneurs in honor of that young woman. Each month, $2,000 is awarded to a woman entrepreneur. At the end of the year, one of the 12 female entrepreneurs will be awarded $25,000 to help them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Joining is easy — for a small application fee of $15, interested entrepreneurs can share their story for a chance at getting $27,000 of total funding.
4. The halstead grant
The Halstead Grant is an award that grants funding to female entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in the jewelry industry. In order to qualify, applicants have to answer a few questions and should know how to create a design portfolio for The Halstead Grant to review and consider. One winner will be provided a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 worth of Halstead jewelry supplies, and press and media exposure. The Halstead Grant hopes to kickstart the careers of female jewelry designers in the United States through the funding they provide.
