Top 10 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in North America in 2025
As the entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs in North America, particularly in 2025, provide crucial support to women-led businesses. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs, outlining their eligibility, application procedures, and specific benefits available.
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1. Amber Grant
Grant Amount: $10,000 monthly, plus a $25,000 annual grant
Description: This grant program, provided by WomensNet in memory of Amber Wigdahl, supports women-owned businesses with various grants including monthly and startup opportunities.
Eligibility: At least 50% women-owned, business must operate in the US or Canada, and applicants must be at least 18.
Application: Explain the business idea and intended use of the grant.
Additional Details: Monthly grants are available in different categories.
2. HerRise Microgrant
Grant Amount: $1,000 monthly
Description: This grant provides quick financial assistance, targeting women entrepreneurs, particularly those of color.
Eligibility: Must be 51% women-owned, registered in the U.S., with gross revenue not exceeding $1 million.
Purpose: Grant funds can cover smaller projects like website creation and equipment purchases.
Target Audience: Specifically aims to assist women of color entrepreneurs.
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3. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database
Grant Amount: Varies
Description: A platform connecting women entrepreneurs with diverse grant opportunities sponsored by corporate partners.
Eligibility: Open to women-owned small businesses, with specific criteria dependent on each grant.
Application: Use the Universal Grant Application to access various funding options.
Additional Details: Offers business training alongside grant opportunities.
4. Giving Joy Grants
Grant Amount: Up to $500
Description: Aimed at women over 18, supporting either the launch or expansion of businesses or non-profits.
Eligibility: Open to women aged 18 and above.
Application Window: Applications accepted from January 1-31, awards distributed in June.
Purpose: Funding is used for launching or expanding businesses/nonprofits.
5. BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
Grant Amount: $10,000 for 15 female entrepreneurs
Description: In collaboration with Deloitte, this grant supports women-owned small businesses showing growth and innovation.
Eligibility: Business must be at least 51% women-owned, operational for at least two years, with annual revenue not exceeding $5 million.
Location: Available to businesses in 24 specified US states.
Purpose: Funds are often used for product launches, marketing, or team expansion.
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6. EmpowHER Grants
Grant Amount: Up to $25,000 reimbursement
Description: Offered by Boundless Futures Foundation, specifically for female small-business owners addressing societal issues.
Eligibility: Established within the last three years, owner must be at least 22, and business must address issues like poverty or sustainability.
Application: Accepted quarterly, with the next deadline on February 15, 2025.
Additional Details: Funding awarded as reimbursement after expenses occur.
7. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition
Grant Amount: $25,000
Description: An annual competition where selected women entrepreneurs pitch their businesses live.
Eligibility: Open to U.S.-based women-led businesses that have raised no more than $750,000.
Application Period: Applications open from April 1 to May 31.
Format: In-person pitch competition.
8. Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship
Grant Amount: $5,000 plus access to 0%-interest Kiva loans
Description: This fellowship program offers educational resources, networking opportunities, and funding for 50 women business owners.
Program Length: One year.
Additional Benefits: Includes mentorship and networking with fellow entrepreneurs.
Eligibility: Open to women business owners, with new applications opening soon.
9. Pitch Perfect Grant
Grant Amount: $5,000
Description: A grant program supporting women in business, backed by Skip, Pink Print, and Ellie Talks Money.
Eligibility: Open to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. aged 18 and above.
Application Process: Requires a short application and video submission from 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Target Audience: Geared towards female-owned businesses looking to grow.
10. Cartier Women's Initiative
Grant Amount: Up to $100,000 for first-place winners
Description: This initiative empowers women-led businesses with social or environmental missions, offering significant financial backing and mentorship.
Partnership: A collaboration involving Cartier, McKinsey & Company, and INSEAD business school.
Additional Benefits: Grants are packaged along with a loan fund of up to $200,000 and a robust fellowship program.
Purpose: Supports female entrepreneurs who have turned their ideas into viable businesses.
Important Note: Grant information, eligibility, and deadlines can change. Always verify details on the official websites before applying. Some deadlines for 2025 have not yet been announced.
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FAQ
Q: What is the Amber Grant and how much does it offer?
A: The Amber Grant provides $10,000 monthly grants to women-owned businesses, plus a $25,000 annual grant awarded to one of the monthly winners. Learn more about the Amber Grant.
Q: Who can apply for the HerRise Microgrant?
A: The HerRise Microgrant is aimed at women-owned small businesses, particularly those owned by women of color, with a gross revenue not exceeding $1 million. It offers $1,000 monthly. Discover more about the HerRise Microgrant.
Q: What is the IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database?
A: This platform connects women entrepreneurs with various grant opportunities sponsored by corporate partners, allowing them to fill out a Universal Grant Application for matching funding options. The grant amount varies depending on the opportunity. Explore IFundWomen.
Q: What are Giving Joy Grants?
A: Giving Joy Grants provide micro-grants up to $500 for women over 18 to launch or expand businesses or non-profits. Applications are accepted in January each year. Learn more about Giving Joy Grants.
Q: Who is eligible for the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program?
A: This program is open to businesses that are at least 51% women-owned, have been in operation for at least two years, and have an annual revenue not exceeding $5 million. It offers grants of $10,000 to 15 female entrepreneurs. Read more about the BMO Grant Program.
Q: What is the maximum amount offered by EmpowHER Grants?
A: EmpowHER Grants provide reimbursement up to $25,000 for business-related expenses aimed at female small-business owners addressing societal issues. Find out more about EmpowHER Grants.
Q: How much can one win at the Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition?
A: The Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition awards a grant of $25,000 to the selected finalists who pitch their businesses in person. Check more details on the competition.
Q: What does the Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship offer?
A: The Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship offers a grant of $5,000 and access to 0%-interest Kiva loans, along with educational resources and networking opportunities for 50 women business owners. Learn more about this fellowship.
Q: What is the Pitch Perfect Grant focused on?
A: The Pitch Perfect Grant, which offers $5,000, is tailored for women entrepreneurs in the U.S., requiring a short application and video submission. Discover the Pitch Perfect Grant.
Q: What are the funding amounts for the Cartier Women's Initiative?
A: The Cartier Women's Initiative awards $100,000 for first-place winners, $60,000 for second-place, and $30,000 for third-place in North America, supporting women-led businesses focused on social or environmental impact. Explore the Cartier Women's Initiative.
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.
