Top 20 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in North America in 2025
As women continue to lead the way in entrepreneurship, numerous grant programs are now available specifically to support female entrepreneurs in North America. In 2025, these grants aim to empower women in business by providing financial assistance, resources, and valuable networking opportunities. Below is a comprehensive list of the Top 20 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in North America in 2025, detailing eligibility, application processes, and amounts offered.
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1. Amber Grant
Description: WomenNet awards multiple Amber Grants each month to women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada.
Grant Amount: Three $10,000 grants per month, plus three annual grants of $25,000.
Eligibility: Must be at least 50% women-owned and operate in the U.S. or Canada.
Application: A simple application form with a $15 fee.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Monthly winners are eligible for additional year-end grants.
2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
Description: IFundWomen operates a marketplace to connect women-owned businesses with various grants from different partners.
Grant Amount: Varies depending on the partner grant.
Eligibility: Matches criteria based on the partner organization's requirements.
Application: Submit one application to connect with multiple potential grants.
Source: Investopedia
Additional Information: Previous partners have included Visa and American Express.
3. EmpowHER Grants
Description: Offered by Boundless Futures Foundation to empower female entrepreneurs focusing on societal issues.
Grant Amount: Up to $25,000 reimbursed for business-related expenses.
Eligibility: Female small-business owners, at least 22 years old, and established within the last three years.
Application: Quarterly applications with the next deadline on February 15, 2025.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Funding provided as reimbursement upon proof of payment.
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4. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition
Description: An annual competition for businesses started by women, where selected participants pitch their ideas.
Grant Amount: $25,000 for winners.
Eligibility: U.S. businesses started by women that have raised less than $750,000.
Application: Applications accepted from April 1 to May 31 for the 2025 cycle.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: This is a competitive process with multiple selection stages.
5. Cartier Women's Initiative Awards
Description: An international grant program for women-owned businesses tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Grant Amount: First place receives $100,000, and others $60,000 and $30,000 in various regions.
Eligibility: Early-stage, for-profit businesses focusing on impact.
Application: Opens for the 2025 cycle on April 18.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Winners receive coaching and training workshops.
6. Galaxy Grant
Description: Offered by Hidden Star, a non-profit organization, to support women and minority small-business owners.
Grant Amount: Currently listed at $1,500 (amount may change).
Eligibility: Open to women and minority small-business owners.
Application: Check the website for specific updates.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Grant details may vary based on available resources.
7. Fund Her Future (Block Advisors by H&R Block)
Description: A grant program aimed at supporting women business owners.
Grant Amount: One grand prize of $50,000 and four grants of $12,500 each.
Eligibility: Business must be at least 51% woman-owned.
Application: Applications for 2025 have not yet opened.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Winners receive a year of free small business services.
8. BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
Description: A partnership between BMO Bank and Deloitte providing grants to women-owned small businesses.
Grant Amount: $10,000 grants for fifteen female entrepreneurs.
Eligibility: At least 51% women-owned businesses, in operation for at least two years.
Application: Information for the 2025 application process is forthcoming.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Businesses must have annual revenues not exceeding $5 million.
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9. Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship
Description: A year-long program offering financial support and networking opportunities for women business owners.
Grant Amount: $5,000 grant per participant, plus access to 0%-interest Kiva loans.
Eligibility: For-profit businesses generating at least $75,000 in revenue.
Application: Check the foundation's website for the 2025 cycle application status.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Includes virtual education and networking opportunities.
10. Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant
Description: Grants for women entrepreneurs focused on climate change and environmental leadership.
Grant Amount: $200,000 distributed in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $40,000.
Eligibility: Businesses aligned with the grant’s focus on sustainability and women's leadership.
Application: Check for specific application requirements and deadlines.
Source: thehartford.com
Additional Information: Focuses on established businesses rather than startups.
11. Comcast RISE Investment Fund
Description: A program providing grants for women entrepreneurs of color to help amplify their businesses.
Grant Amount: $10,000 grants available.
Eligibility: Majority women-owned businesses led by women of color.
Application: Open for applications; check official announcements for specific timeframes.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Includes marketing consultations and media placements.
12. SBA 7(a) Loan Program
Description: While primarily a lending program, the SBA often provides grants and resources for women entrepreneurs.
Grant Amount: Varies, often provides competitive interest rates on loans.
Eligibility: Must be a for-profit business that meets SBA's size standards.
Application: Application not necessarily for a grant, but funding can aid in business expenses.
Source: sba.gov
Additional Information: Involves financial institutions, ensuring strong support networks.
13. New York State WBC Grant
Description: Offers funding opportunity through New York State's Women's Business Centers for women-owned businesses.
Grant Amount: Up to $10,000.
Eligibility: Must operate a business in New York State and meet additional state criteria.
Application: Check the New York State WBC website for specific deadlines.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Grants focus on innovation and sustainability.
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14. NAWBO Institute for Entrepreneurial Development
Description: Educates women entrepreneurs with training and access to grants for advanced projects.
Grant Amount: Varies based on project needs and funding available.
Eligibility: Must be a member of NAWBO and follow project guidelines.
Application: Access grants through NAWBO’s programs and partnerships.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Offers a range of educational resources for women entrepreneurs.
15. WeBank Grant
Description: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council offers specific grants for certified women-owned businesses.
Grant Amount: Varies per specific grant initiatives.
Eligibility: Must be certified as a women-owned business by WeBank.
Application: Check the WeBank site for available grants and application processes.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Focuses on a variety of sectors and supports different business stages.
16. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant
Description: Federal grant program to support women-led startups in tech or research-intensive fields.
Grant Amount: Varies, typically ranges from $225,000 to $1.5 million.
Eligibility: Must be a for-profit business; companies must meet specified criteria for tech and innovation.
Application: Visit the SBIR website for submission guidelines and open dates.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Many women-led ventures have successfully leveraged this funding.
17. The Halstead Grant
Description: A program designed for emerging female jewelry artists and businesses.
Grant Amount: $7,500 grant alongside a $1,000 cash scholarship.
Eligibility: Must be women jewelry designers and demonstrate innovation in design.
Application: Check the Halstead website for yearly deadlines.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Aimed specifically at the jewelry-making community.
18. Hatch Innovation Grant
Description: Grants to support women-led startups that focus on innovative consumer products.
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 depending on proposal evaluation.
Eligibility: Must be a woman-owned business that plans to launch a product.
Application: Explore the Hatch website for details on application timelines.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Encourages entrepreneurial creativity in product development.
19. The Rosa Parks Fund
Description: Grants inspired by Rosa Parks' legacy aimed at supporting women of color in business.
Grant Amount: Each applicant can receive up to $15,000.
Eligibility: Must be at least 51% women of color-owned.
Application: Announced via community partnerships and direct outreach.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Supports diverse and next-generation entrepreneurs.
20. Fifth Third Bank Women's Business Grant
Description: A program by Fifth Third Bank aimed at women entrepreneurs who are residents in their service area.
Grant Amount: $5,000 grants available to outstanding applicants.
Eligibility: Must be a woman-owned business and a resident in the bank's footprint.
Application: Applications typically open in the spring; details to follow on their website.
Source: NerdWallet
Additional Information: Focused on strengthening the local economy.
This robust compilation serves as a resource for women entrepreneurs seeking grant opportunities tailored to their needs and aspirations. Each of these grants plays a vital role in supporting the unique challenges and ambitions of women in business across North America in 2025.
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FAQ
Q: What is the Amber Grant?
A: The Amber Grant awards multiple grants each month to women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, providing three $10,000 grants and three $25,000 annual grants. Learn more about Amber Grant.
Q: How does the IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database work?
A: The IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database is a marketplace that matches women-owned businesses with various grants based on a single application. Discover IFundWomen.
Q: What are EmpowHER Grants?
A: EmpowHER Grants offer up to $25,000 for female small-business owners whose businesses address societal issues, through a quarterly application process. Learn more about EmpowHER Grants.
Q: What is the eligibility for the Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition?
A: The Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition is open to U.S. businesses started by women that have raised less than $750,000, awarding a $25,000 grant to winners. Explore the Fast Pitch Competition.
Q: What are the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards?
A: The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards grants significant funding for early-stage, for-profit women-owned businesses focused on impact, offering $100,000 for first-place winners. Discover the Cartier Women's Initiative.
Q: What is the Galaxy Grant?
A: The Galaxy Grant supports women and minority small-business owners with grants currently listed at $1,500, through a nonprofit organization called Hidden Star. Learn more about Galaxy Grant.
Q: How much does the Fund Her Future grant offer?
A: The Fund Her Future program from Block Advisors by H&R Block provides a grand prize of $50,000 and four grants of $12,500 for women business owners. Check out Fund Her Future.
Q: What is the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program?
A: The BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program offers $10,000 grants to fifteen women-owned small businesses, with eligibility requirements including two years of operation and revenue limits. Learn more about BMO Celebrating Women Grant.
Q: What does the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship provide?
A: The Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship supports 50 women business owners with a $5,000 grant, access to 0%-interest loans, and additional educational resources. Discover Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship.
Q: What are the Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grants focused on?
A: The Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grants aim to fund women entrepreneurs addressing climate change and increasing women's participation in environmental decision-making, with annual grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000. Learn more about Eileen Fisher Grants.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
