Best Grants for Women-Owned Businesses in 2026

Women-owned businesses represent nearly 40% of all U.S. businesses, yet they receive a disproportionately small share of traditional business financing. Grants specifically designed for women entrepreneurs help close that gap — and in 2026, the number of available programs has grown. Here's where to focus your efforts.

The Amber Grant Foundation

The Amber Grant is one of the most well-known grants for women business owners. WomensNet awards $10,000 each month to a woman entrepreneur, with an additional $25,000 year-end grant awarded to one of the monthly winners. Applications are simple — a short description of your business and how you'd use the funds.

The Amber Grant is highly accessible for early-stage businesses because it doesn't require an established revenue history. It's also open to businesses in any industry, making it one of the broadest programs available.

Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant

The Eileen Fisher Foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses focused on environmental or social change. Businesses must be at least three years old, majority women-owned, and generating under $1 million in annual revenue.

This grant is more competitive than the Amber Grant but comes with additional benefits: grant recipients gain access to Eileen Fisher's network of advisors and alumni programming.

SBA Programs for Women Entrepreneurs

The SBA's Women's Business Centers (WBCs) don't provide direct grants, but they offer free and low-cost business counseling, training, and connections to local grant programs. There are over 130 WBCs across the country, each with knowledge of regional funding opportunities specific to women-owned businesses.

The SBA also certifies Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB), which qualify for federal contracting set-asides. While not a grant, these certifications can open access to billions of dollars in federal contracts annually.

USDA Rural Development Grants

Women-owned businesses in rural areas have access to USDA Rural Business Development Grants and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides grants covering up to 25% of the cost of renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements, with awards up to $1 million.

The USDA also funds the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, which benefits women in agriculture who are adding value to their raw agricultural products — think farm-to-table food businesses, artisan products, or agritourism operations.

Corporate and Foundation Grants

• Visa She's Next Grant Program — $10,000 grants plus mentorship for women small business owners
• Cartier Women's Initiative — $100,000 for women-led impact businesses (international scope)
• Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program — business education and access to capital for women entrepreneurs
• IFundWomen Universal Grant Application — connects women entrepreneurs to a network of grant opportunities with a single application

How to Position Your Application

Women-focused grant programs are competitive. The applications that win clearly articulate the business's growth trajectory, the owner's unique qualifications, and a specific plan for how the grant funds will be deployed. Generic applications rarely succeed.

Start by confirming your eligibility for each program, then build a calendar of deadlines. Many programs open annually at the same time each year. Browse available grants on GrantLocate and filter by category to find currently open opportunities for your business.