Contributed by Dyanne Harvey | Senior Content Writer at Founder Shield

The number of female founders has slightly decreased in recent times: Last year, they made up 13.2% of all founders compared to 15.1% in 2022. And, while it’s true that women face a steeper hill when it comes to VC investment, there are several other savvy financial options they can take to boost their projects and see them through the finish line. As an updated version of our grants list in 2022, we’ve gathered some important statistics and 30 grants and other financial alternatives for female founders in 2024.

A Rocky But Encouraging Year For Venture Capital

Female-led startups have had a tough year amid staggered investor interest in the VC space overall. Year-end predictions show that all-female-founded startups will take only around 2% of all investments. 

Unfortunately, this is further propelled by investor bias, as seen by Making Space’s case, where its female and disabled founder, Keely Cat-Wells, was told to find a male able-bodied co-founder to secure investments ahead of its pre-seed round.

However, it’s not all negative. In 2023, teams with at least one female co-founder received 20% of total US VC funding. TechCrunch also reported that year-over-year funding in July slightly increased for female-led startups, with $1.1 billion in Q2 compared to $900,000 in Q2 2023 — something that had not happened since 2022.

Female-led VC firms and angel investor groups, like She’s Independent, are also on the rise, which could boost funding for all-female companies in the coming years. A total of 86 funds led by women had partial or final closes this year compared to just 36 last year.

Uplifting Female Voices Through Grants

But the story doesn’t end with VC funding for startups. While that’s the predominant way to fund a high-growth business, there are more options to explore when investor interest runs low and the market slows. Beyond complex bootstrapping, risky loans, and debt financing, there are many grants geared toward female-led startups to fund their projects without needing to repay.

Whether it’s a federal, state, or private grant, several organizations devote part of their budgets to helping and uplifting female voices that wouldn’t otherwise receive enough funding to get their innovations across the finish line.

30 Grants For Female Founders

We’ve rounded up the most important active grants and financing opportunities for female-led businesses. To maximize your options, we’ve separated them into the following categories: non-profits, private companies, for minorities, microgrants, government grants, pitch competitions, incubators and accelerators, and niche grants and other benefits. 

Non-Profit Foundations Supporting Women

Amber Grants

WomensNet offers three $10,000 Amber Grants each month to women-owned businesses — one being for a startup. At the end of the year, WomensNet also lets monthly winners qualify for one of three $25,000 annual grants. To apply, you must explain what your business does, describe how you would use the grant, and pay a $15 application fee. Then, it’s up to the foundation’s advisory board to select the winners based on passion and story. This applies to businesses in the US and Canada, and your business doesn’t need a required running time to qualify (which is great for startups at any stage!).

EmpowHer

The Boundless Futures Foundation EmpowHer grant spotlights women creating positive social change. The non-profit’s EmpowerHer grant lets you request up to $25,000 as a female entrepreneur in the US if you’re 22 or older, provided that your startup is under 3 years old and generates revenue. To apply you must provide a credit score, undergo a background check, and submit business plans and budgets. You also get access to a network of advisors offering support in areas like finance, marketing, and leadership. The one downside is grants are reimbursed for business-related expenses after proof of payment is submitted.

Enthuse Foundation Grants

This non-profit provides grants to female business owners with critical needs in the food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. This year, $60,000 was distributed to 24 women-led businesses, with each recipient required to demonstrate financial need and a clear plan for how the funds will be used. To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens, have an established full-time business, and submit required forms if selected.

The Galaxy Grant

Galaxy of Stars, created by the non-profit Hidden Star, is a growing community of minority and women entrepreneurs offering a supportive space for connection, mentorship, and business growth. Those who become Galaxy Plus Members can enter the $2,750 Galaxy Grant Giveaway with a simple 30-second entry. The membership also offers access to hundreds of weekly updated grant opportunities, funding sources, sales/contracting options specifically for women and minority businesses, and a members-only forum to connect with over 500,000 entrepreneurs for advice and networking.

Private Small-Business Grants To Kickstart Female Founder Efforts

IFundWomen and Visa’s She’s Next Grants

Visa and IFundWomen created the She’s Next grant to offer an opportunity for women entrepreneurs in Chile, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and three more regions to boost their businesses in various industries. Grants start at $5,000 depending on the region and often include access to more professional coaching services for female leaders to charge ahead with the right tools for their business.

She’s Connected by AT&T

The She’s Connected grant by telecommunications giant AT&T offers female small business owners the chance to win $50,000, a year of AT&T service with a new device, and more benefits. To apply, participants must share their business stories for the opportunity to be highlighted on the She’s Connected platform.

Comcast RISE

Comcast RISE is a grant supporting small businesses with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and community investment. In 2024, the program awarded 500 grants across five states — Georgia, Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Colorado — with a package that includes $5,000 monetary grants, business consultations, educational resources, creative production, media strategy, and technology makeovers. Eligible companies must be independently owned, have been operational for at least three years, generate revenue, and have fewer than 100 employees.

inDrive’s Aurora Tech Award

This grant takes from inDrive’s beginnings in a remote area of Russia, which made founders realize the disadvantages they faced based merely on their location. As a result, the company decided to advocate for minorities facing even more disparities: women. This global competition supports women founders in tech, with a $85,000 prize fund for the top five winners. Winners also receive financial support, professional insights, networking opportunities, and an educational program for applicants. To participate, startups must be woman-led, have a functional prototype, be under five years old, and fit within an investment limit of $4 million, including seed funding.

Stacy’s Rise Project

The beloved pita chips brand Stacy’s, in partnership with Hello Alice, offers a grant that helps bridge the funding gap for women entrepreneurs with marketing, mentorship, and monetary support to small businesses. This program is open to US-based, for-profit companies selling consumer packaged goods (CPG) with annual sales between $25,000 and $1 million. Additionally, ten selected businesses receive virtual mentorship and resources to help grow their brands. Participants must not be currently enrolled in an accelerator program and must be at least 18 years old.

Grants Incentivizing the Success of Minorities

The Tory Burch Foundation’s Women of Color Grant

The Women of Color Grant Program, in partnership with the Fearless Fund, offers $10,000 to $20,000 grants to 75 businesses owned by women of color. To qualify, businesses must be at least 51% women of color-owned, for-profit, based in the US, and preferably in operation for 1-5 years and generating at least $100,000 in annual revenue. The program also offers worthwhile access to education, community, and valuable resources to foster business growth.

Dream Makers Founder Grant

The Fifteen Percent Foundation started in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter uproar, asking big retailers to include more Black people in their representations, who account for 15% of the US population. In partnership with the Dream Makers Founder Grant, this grant aims to support black and BIPOC female entrepreneurs by offering $25,000 grants to five business owners annually, as part of a $1 million grant fund. To qualify, businesses must be members of the Pledge’s Business Equity Community, have annual revenues between $100K and $1 million, and employ 2-10 people, including the founder. Applicants must also sell a consumer product, excluding beauty-related items, be US-based, and have at least 51% female ownership.

SheaMoisture’s Grants With Purpose

SheaMoisture, a skincare Black-founded and Black-led company, is fighting racial inequality by granting $1 million annually to support small, Black-owned businesses. The Brown Girl Jane Grant is one of four programs that offer $10,000 to $25,000 to Black and woman-owned beauty or wellness businesses to amplify Black female entrepreneurs, with over $400,000 in grants provided since 2020. Other programs include the SheaMoisture Community Impact Grant awarding $10,000 to Black-owned businesses in the US that have been operating for at least one year. 

Invest In Progress Grant

The BOSS Network partnered with Sage for the inaugural BOSS Impact Fund, which is part of the $1.5 million “Invest in Progress” grant program aimed at supporting Black women entrepreneurs with a $10,000 grant. The fund helps black women-led businesses become scalable and growth-oriented, addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and beyond. To apply. Your business must be for-profit, black woman-owned, and based in the US with a demonstrated need for funding.

Microgrants Making a Difference

HerRise Microgrants

These microgrants provide $1,000 monthly to under-resourced women entrepreneurs, including women of color, to help them overcome funding challenges and grow their social impact businesses. Your startup must be 51% women-owned, registered in the US, and demonstrate a need for financial support to cover specific business expenses like equipment, marketing, or website development. 

Kitty Fund Mother-Led Business Grant

This microgrant fund from Founders First CDC supports mother entrepreneurs with $25,000, awarding $1,000 each to 25 women who own and run small businesses with two or more employees. To participate, you must be US-based, send a short pitch video, have an annual revenue under $5 million, and have been in business for at least one year. Grant funds can be used for any business need, including professional services to prepare for funding.

The Freed Fellowship Grant

The Freed Fellowship Grant offers a $500 monthly grant to small business owners in the US, especially encouraging women and minorities to apply. Participants are evaluated with the 5C Framework to spot key business components, receiving feedback with actionable recommendations for growth afterward. Additional benefits include eligibility for a $2,500 end-of-year grant and an invitation to share their journey on the Freed Stories Podcast.

Federal, State, and Local Government Grants

WOSB Federal Contracting Program

This Women-Owned Small Business program hosted by the Federal government awards at least 5% of its contracting budget annually, supported by the Office of Women’s Business Ownership to balance the playing field for female entrepreneurs. While grant amounts are not disclosed, the program provides access to capital in addition to business training, counseling, federal contracts and acquiring credit.

US Chamber of Commerce CO—100

The CO—100 is an awards program by the US Chamber of Commerce that highlights top small businesses across ten categories, including Growth Accelerators, Customer Champions, and Digital Innovators. While it isn’t women-focused, several female-founded businesses receive the award annually. The program offers significant benefits such as a $25,000 prize for one business and $2,000 for each of the ten finalists. All 100 businesses on the list receive a one-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership, providing resources and advocacy.

Operation HOPE

Operation HOPE, from the US Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, primarily offers Financial Wellbeing Coaching for women entrepreneurs with a financial work plan in place. Additionally, the program supports owners facing eviction with the Helping Hands Fund. This grant is paid directly to the landlord or rental company when supported businesses are at least two months behind on rent. Operation HOPE also offers business coaching programs, providing aspiring and existing small business owners with education, personalized coaching, and resources to help them grow and access funding.

Pitch Days To Boost Competitiveness and Spotlight The Best Stories

Enthuse Foundation Annual Pitch Competition

The Enthuse Foundation’s Annual Pitch Competition celebrates the grit of female entrepreneurs. Those in the food, beverage, or CPG can apply for the chance to win cash and prizes while forming lasting connections with fellow finalists. This year’s competition offers $15,000 in cash, 20 hours of in-kind business services, access to growth platforms, and other valuable resources such as a social media package, coaching, and a year of brand-building instruction. To be eligible, businesses must be women-owned (at least 51%), have annual sales of at least $10,000, and generate no more than $750,000 in revenue.

Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

This event supports women through cash grants and mentorship across two tracks: tech-enabled and consumer goods. The first-place winner in each track receives a $25,000 cash grant, with an additional $5,000 cash grant awarded by Junior Venture Capitalists to one finalist. Finalists also benefit from one-on-one pitch coaching, financial mentoring, access to perks, and valuable connections with potential investors. The event also includes free professional services and the chance to pitch at UCLA for a share of $55,000 in grants. Bear in mind that businesses can’t have raised more than $750,000 in outside funding, US-based, and preferably submit pre-revenue plans.

Black Girl Ventures Pitch Program

This pitch program supports black and brown women entrepreneurs in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City by providing a platform to pitch their initiatives and the possibility to win crowdfunded cash prizes between $5,000 and $15,000. Winners also get access to the BGV Connect Incubator and a network of business owners and investors. In addition, participants receive coaching and networking opportunities. To qualify, applicants must be revenue-generating, in good standing, and located in the city for which they are applying.

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank

Springboard’s Dolphin Tank showcase events connect women entrepreneurs in life sciences, healthcare, tech, and more with investors, advisors, and industry leaders to gain insights, capital, and opportunities. During Dolphin Tank events, entrepreneurs present a three-minute pitch, addressing a challenge or opportunity, while the audience crowdsources solutions, strategies, and potential investment opportunities. Each session provides selected entrepreneurs with insights, networking, and resources to help them thrive.

The Shortcut’s Female Founder Pitching Day

This is Finland’s largest annual pitching competition for female and non-binary business founders, aimed at addressing the underrepresentation and funding gap faced by women entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem. The event, organized by The Shortcut, Tech Nordic Advocates, and Shevestments, provides an exclusive opportunity for founders to pitch their businesses to secure funding and support.

Incubators and Accelerators Leveling the Playing Field

Founders First CDC Accelerator

Since 2015, Founders First CDC has supported hundreds of small, service-based B2B businesses led by diverse owners committed to community impact but facing challenges in achieving financial growth. The organization provides four accelerator models that empower business owners through pre-funding programs, unrestricted grants, and a robust network of resources including coaching and funding support.

Halo Incubator

Halo is a virtual incubator that supports early-stage women entrepreneurs in the US and Canada, helping them launch, scale, and fundraise for their young startups. The incubator offers an 8-week program that includes twice-weekly meetings, pitch coaching, networking, and access to industry experts. The program covers key topics such as customer discovery, product design for non-technical founders, sales techniques, fundraising, and brand strategy. Participants also gain access to discounted services, legal office hours, and a robust network of mentors, investors, and potential partnerships.

Digital Undivided’s BIG Pre-Accelerator

BIG is a virtual pre-accelerator program designed to support pre-revenue tech-enabled startups led by women founders. The program, open to US-based founders or those in its territories, helps leaders develop scalable revenue models and prepare for market launch, open to founders who are 18 years or older, and have started building or are ready to launch their MVP. Down the line, participants refine their business pitches, gain key business management knowledge, and establish valuable connections with mentors and industry experts.

Other Niche Grants and Benefits

DWEN US Dream Tech Contest

The DWEN Dream Tech Contest is open to women founders or co-founders of US-based businesses with less than 100 employees who are members of the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN). Its main goal is to equip these businesses with the best technology and resources to thrive. To participate, you must submit a registration form, and if selected as a finalist, submit a new 3-minute video. The top four finalists are voted on by the public and the top three winners receive Dell technology and rewards points worth $40,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place.

The Halstead Grant

The Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists, offering a grand prize of $7,500 in cash, a $1,000 Halstead gift card, and additional industry recognition. This grant can represent a turning point for small jewelers looking to break into such a complex industry, especially those in underrepresented groups. To apply, you must submit a design portfolio and answer 15 business-related questions to help develop a strategy for your young jewelry business.

High-Five Grant for Moms

This grant, offered by The Mama Ladder, supports ambitious mom entrepreneurs to help them reach $1 million in revenue. Grants are available in varying amounts, with the grand prize offering $10,000, professional services valued up to $10,000, and additional perks like a $1,000 travel voucher and health products. To be eligible, applicants must be moms who own at least 50% of a for-profit business, have earned between $10,000 and $500,000 in the past year, and be based in the US or Canada. Since 2018, the program has awarded over $70,000 to help moms grow their businesses.