The State of Women's Business Funding in 2026
Women-owned businesses represent approximately 42% of all U.S. businesses and generate more than $1.8 trillion in revenue annually, yet they continue to receive a disproportionately small share of venture capital and federal contract dollars. Grant programs specifically targeting women entrepreneurs exist across the federal government, major foundations, and the private sector — and unlike venture capital, grants don't dilute ownership or require repayment.
This guide covers the real programs, real dollar amounts, and eligibility requirements for women seeking business grants in 2026.
Federal Programs for Women-Owned Businesses
SBIR and STTR Programs
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are the largest sources of federal grant funding for small businesses. While not exclusively for women, federal agencies are required to report on the participation of women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) in these programs, and several agencies have made outreach to WOSBs a priority. Eleven federal agencies participate, with the NIH, NSF, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and NASA being the largest. Phase I awards typically range from $150,000 to $300,000; Phase II can reach $1–2 million.
To qualify, your business must be majority-owned (at least 51%) by women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, employ fewer than 500 people, and conduct research with commercial potential. Register at sbir.gov and search open solicitations filtered by agency and topic area.
SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs)
The SBA's Women's Business Center network includes more than 130 centers nationwide that provide counseling, training, and access to capital resources specifically for women entrepreneurs. WBCs do not award grants directly, but they administer programs and connect entrepreneurs to federal and state funding opportunities. Many WBCs help applicants prepare SBIR proposals and complete federal loan and grant applications.
EDA Economic Development Grants
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds economic development planning and infrastructure projects that can include women-owned business accelerators and incubators as eligible activities. Organizations serving women entrepreneurs in economically distressed areas can apply for EDA Public Works grants (starting at $100,000) and Planning grants. These are organizational grants, not direct business grants, but they fund programs that support women-owned businesses.
Private Foundation and Corporate Grants
Amber Grant Foundation
The Amber Grant awards $10,000 monthly to a woman-owned business, plus a $25,000 year-end grant from monthly winners. Since 1998, the foundation has awarded over $5 million to women entrepreneurs. Applications are simple (under 500 words) and open to any woman-owned business. WomensNet.net administers the program. The application fee is $15. This is one of the most accessible grants for early-stage women-owned businesses.
Cartier Women's Initiative
The Cartier Women's Initiative is a global entrepreneurship program that awards up to $100,000 to women-led impact businesses. The program selects 21 laureates annually across three regional categories, plus separate science and technology and diversity, equity, and inclusion tracks. Businesses must be for-profit, have revenues under $1.5 million, and have been operational for two to seven years. The application opens annually in the fall.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
The Tory Burch Foundation awards $5,000 grants to 50 women entrepreneurs each year through its Fellows Program, along with a year of education and mentoring. Fellows must be U.S.-based women entrepreneurs who have been operating a business for at least three years, have annual revenue under $3 million, and operate in specific industry sectors the foundation prioritizes. Applications typically open in January.
IFundWomen Universal Grant
IFundWomen partners with major corporations including Visa, Google, and AT&T to run grant programs specifically for women entrepreneurs. The Universal Grant program is ongoing, and corporate partners periodically fund specific award cycles targeting underrepresented women founders, including women of color and LGBTQ+ women. Award amounts vary by corporate partner, typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Foundation
NAWBO's foundation administers scholarship and grant programs for women business owners in partnership with corporate sponsors. Programs change annually, but regularly include leadership development grants and business acceleration awards. NAWBO membership is helpful but not always required for foundation programs.
State and Local Programs
Many states operate grant programs specifically for women-owned businesses or set aside a percentage of state economic development grants for women-owned enterprises. Examples include:
- New York: NYSCEF (New York State Consolidated Funding Application) includes preferences for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in several programs.
- California: CalOSBA tracks and promotes resources for women-owned businesses including state procurement set-asides.
- Texas: TWC (Texas Workforce Commission) administers Skills Development Fund grants that can support women-owned businesses adding jobs.
- Illinois: DCEO awards grants through the Illinois Advantage program with priority categories that include women-owned businesses.
Check your state's department of commerce or economic development website for WBE certification programs — certification is often a prerequisite for accessing state grant set-asides and contract preferences.
Strengthening Your Women's Business Grant Application
- Get certified: SBA WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) certification is free and opens access to federal contract set-asides. Many foundation and state grants also require or prefer certification.
- Quantify your impact: Jobs created, revenue growth, community impact. Reviewers want numbers, not narratives alone.
- Align with funder priorities: A tech-focused SBIR requires different positioning than a community-impact Amber Grant application. Customize each application.
- Apply early and often: Smaller grants ($5,000–$25,000) have lighter applications and faster cycles. Early wins build a track record that strengthens larger applications.
- Use your network: WBCs, SCORE mentors, and NAWBO chapters frequently offer application review and coaching — don't skip these resources.
Search Women's Business Grants at Scale
The universe of grants available to women-owned businesses is larger than any single list can capture. FindGrants.io lets you filter by organization type (including women-owned businesses), focus area, award size, and deadline — and ranks matches against your profile so you spend time on grants you're actually likely to win. With over 23,000 grants indexed, it's the fastest way to build a targeted prospect list.