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Women make up for about 29% of US business owners. 15% of business owners are minority groups. Why, then, is it often more difficult for these groups to obtain grant funding than their richer, often male, counterparts? This is an issue several organizations have geared up to address with grant opportunities targeted toward minority groups and women. Here are some grants you should look into for your woman-owned business for the year 2020:
1. The Girlboss Foundation Grant
We love this one for more than just the name! (Although, it is a great choice.) The Girlboss Foundation Grant is specifically designed for entrepreneurs pursuing creative endeavors in the fields of design, fashion, music, and the arts. Girlboss offers biannual grants of $15,000 and promotes businesses via their online community. The winner also receives two tickets to the next Girlboss Rally. If you are an individual and your brand falls into any of these creative categories, you’ll definitely want to check this one out.
Applicants must: identify as female, be a United States resident, and be 18 years or older by the close of the application date. The current application cycle is open from October 21 to February 21, 2020. The winner will be announced on April 6, 2020. The following application cycle will begin on June 1, 2020. Grant applications are scored on demonstrated creativity and innovation, business acumen and forward planning, financial need, and reasonability of proposed timing, work plan, and budget. You can apply online here, through the Girlboss website.
2. The Amber Grant
The Amber Grants were launched by WomensNet in 1998 to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl, who died at the age of 19 without the chance to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams. Winners are selected monthly- they then become eligible to be entered into a competition to receive the foundation’s $25,000 annual grant. The application for the Amber Grant is a fairly simple online form.
The Amber Grant requires an application fee of $15. The application fee funds future grants and covers the program’s administrative costs. The foundation’s website has a frequently asked questions section that thoroughly explains why the foundation charges an application fee, as well as providing answers to a variety of other questions about the grant process. Learn all about the Amber Grant here.
3. American Association of University Women (AAUW) Grants
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers Community Action Grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for projects or businesses that address the needs of women or girls within their respective communities. If your business idea promotes education and equality for women and girls, you may be eligible.
The deadline for application submission for these grants is in December 2019. Complete details about grant qualifications, eligibility, and the application process can be found on the AAUW website. This application is a little more complex than others due to the amount of information required to apply. Applicants are encouraged to start the application process as early as possible and follow instructions carefully.
4. The Eileen Fisher Grant Program
The Eileen Fisher Grant Program issues two different grant programs yearly: Supporting Women in Environmental Justice, which supports women taking action for environmental justice, and Community Partnerships, which supports leadership programs for women and girls, women-owned businesses and local communities.
Beginning in 2019, the Supporting Women in Environmental Justice Grant awarded $200,000 annually in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $30,000. The Community Partnerships Grant awards up to $2,500 on a quarterly basis and may be used for program or operating expenses. Organizations applying for the Community Partnerships program must: maintain a focus on the issues and needs of the community in which they are based, be committed to partnership with the local community, align with a core area of funding (environment, human rights, women and girls), be a US-based 501(c)3 organization, and be located within 25 miles of an EILEEN FISHER office, retail store or showroom. (Luckily for our local Colorado readers, Eileen Fisher has a location in Denver!)
Eligibility for the Environmental Justice program is slightly different. Full details and program applications can be found on the Eileen Fisher website.
5. The FedEx Small Business Grant
FedEx awards up to $25,000 each to ten small businesses annually. In 2017, the program provided a total prize pool of $120,500. Winners also receive funds to be use toward FedEx print and business services.
Some application requirements include: a brief explanation of your business, how you’d use the money, photos of your business, and optionally, a short video explaining your business. Eligible applicants must operate a for-profit business with fewer than 99 employees and at least six months of operating
Didn’t find the right grant opportunity for you?
There are several other grant programs for women and women-owned businesses across the country each year. Too many to list here, in fact! That’s why we’re lucky our friends at GrantsforWomen.org have compiled a list of grants that can be viewed here.
Freebie: Grant Application Tips for Ensured Financial Success in 2020
Applying for a grant can bring back unwanted memories of your first job application, college applications, and a lot of uncertainty. This downloadable PDF features tips and tricks for the grant application process to get you started with confidence.
grant tips freebie pdf
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