July 15, 2025

Raising capital as a woman founder can feel like an uphill battle—but grants can be your secret weapon. Unlike loans or equity funding, grants are non-dilutive, meaning you don’t give up ownership or go into debt to access them.

Whether you’re bootstrapping your first product or preparing for a national launch, grant funding can be a powerful tool to get you there—especially if you know where to look.

At Stella Foundation, we’re committed to helping women founders access real resources, not just inspiration. Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most valuable grant opportunities for women-led businesses—and how to find the right ones for your stage, sector, and location.

💰 Why Grants Matter

Grants can:

  • Provide early-stage funding with zero equity loss
  • Serve as validation to future funders and investors
  • Open doors to mentorship, media, and networking
  • Support overlooked industries (e.g., social impact, manufacturing, childcare)

They take work to apply for—but the ROI can be massive.

🏆 Top 10 Grants for Women Founders

1. Amber Grant for Women

  • Award: $10,000 monthly + $25,000 annual grant
  • Who it’s for: Women entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Canada
  • Bonus: Super simple application
  • https://ambergrantsforwomen.com

2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Program

  • Award: Varies ($2,500–$25,000+)
  • Who it’s for: Startups and small businesses founded by women, especially those from underserved communities
  • Bonus: Matches you with partner-funded grant opportunities year-round
  • https://ifundwomen.com/grants

3. Stella Foundation’s Quarterly Grant Program

  • Award: Program funding + scholarships for Stella Labs and Women’s Fast Pitch
  • Who it’s for: Diverse women founders and funders involved in the Stella community
  • Bonus: Access to our accelerator, investor network, and strategic partner support
  • https://stella.co/programs

4. Cartier Women’s Initiative

  • Award: $100,000–$30,000 + 1:1 coaching
  • Who it’s for: Impact-driven women entrepreneurs worldwide
  • Bonus: Includes leadership development and visibility opportunities
  • https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com

5. SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

  • Award: $5,000–$10,000
  • Who it’s for: Black women and nonbinary entrepreneurs
  • Bonus: Designed to bridge the early-stage funding gap
  • https://www.iamsogal.com

6. Ladies Who Launch Grant Program

  • Award: $10,000 + mentorship
  • Who it’s for: Women and nonbinary business owners in consumer-packaged goods (CPG)
  • Bonus: Great for product-based companies needing inventory or marketing support
  • https://www.ladieswholaunch.org

7. Fearless Fund Grants

  • Award: $10,000–$20,000
  • Who it’s for: Women of color business owners, especially in beauty, wellness, and CPG
  • Bonus: Includes a business bootcamp series
  • https://www.fearless.fund

8. HerRise MicroGrant

  • Award: $500
  • Who it’s for: BIPOC women founders with a clear impact goal
  • Bonus: Quick turnaround and open monthly
  • https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise

9. NASE Growth Grant

  • Award: $4,000
  • Who it’s for: Small business owners (must be a NASE member)
  • Bonus: Good fit for solopreneurs or microbusinesses
  • https://www.nase.org

10. Dream Big Awards – NAWBO

  • Award: $10,000–$25,000
  • Who it’s for: Members of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
  • Bonus: Includes national recognition and PR
  • https://www.nawbo.org

🔍 How to Find Grants That Fit You

While these top 10 are a great start, the best grant for you is often local or industry-specific.

Here’s where to look:

  • Your state’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  • SBA’s local resources and grant directory
  • Local chambers of commerce and economic development agencies
  • National nonprofit partners like Hello Alice, Founders First, and Digital Undivided

✨ Stella Partner Spotlight

If you’re part of a Stella Chapter or accelerator cohort, you may also be eligible for:

  • Referrals to corporate-sponsored grant programs
  • Nomination-based awards from Stella’s national partners
  • Pitch competitions and funding showcases

💼 Need help applying? Connect with your Stella local lead or join Stella Startup Office Hours to get hands-on grant support and strategy.

🧠 Tips to Win More Grants

  1. Create a “Grant Folder” with your pitch deck, financials, founder bio, and business summary so you can apply quickly.
  2. Answer the question behind the question—why you and why now?
  3. Connect the dots between your business impact and the funder’s mission.
  4. Use your Stella membership to get feedback, referrals, and visibility.

📌 Final Thoughts

Grants aren’t a silver bullet, but they can be a game-changer—especially for women founders navigating bias in venture capital and traditional lending. Even small grants can help fund prototypes, marketing, legal support, and that next big milestone.

You don’t need permission. You need a plan.

🎓 Ready to master the grant game?
 → Join Stella’s Education Platform for full access to our grant writing and funding strategy courses
 → Explore our Quarterly Grant Program and connect with Stella Chapters for local resources
 → Book Startup Office Hours to review your applications with a coach

When women are funded, communities are transformed.
 Grants help get us there—without compromise.