40+ Grants for Women and BIPOC Business Owners: Funding Your Dreams

MONEY
Written By Nicole Grimes

Starting and growing a business takes more than just vision and hard work—it requires financial resources. For women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) entrepreneurs, securing funding can be particularly challenging due to systemic barriers in traditional lending and investment opportunities. Fortunately, numerous grants are available specifically to support these underrepresented business owners.

Unlike loans, grants provide funding that does not need to be repaid, making them an excellent way to secure capital without the burden of debt. However, the application process can be competitive, requiring research, preparation, and persistence. To help you navigate this process, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 40 grants designed to support women and BIPOC entrepreneurs across the U.S.

Private Small-Business Grants for Women

1. Amber Grant

  • Description: Monthly grants for women entrepreneurs across various categories.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada.

  • Amount: $10,000 monthly, plus an annual $25,000 grant.

  • Apply Here: Amber Grant

2. IFundWomen Universal Grant Database

  • Description: Submit one application to access multiple grant opportunities from major partners like Visa and American Express.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned businesses.

  • Amount: Varies based on partner grants.

  • Apply Here: IFundWomen

3. HerRise Microgrant

  • Description: Monthly microgrants that prioritize funding for women of color entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned businesses generating less than $1 million in revenue.

  • Amount: $1,000 monthly.

  • Apply Here: HerRise Microgrant

4. Galaxy Grant

  • Description: Provided by Hidden Star, a nonprofit that supports underserved entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Women and minority small-business owners.

  • Amount: $1,500.

  • Apply Here: Galaxy Grant

5. Tory Burch Foundation Fellowship

  • Description: Offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to 0%-interest Kiva loans.

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: $5,000.

  • Apply Here: Tory Burch Fellowship

6. Stacy’s Rise Project

  • Description: Provides funding, mentorship, and business visibility for women entrepreneurs in food and beverage industries.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned businesses.

  • Amount: $25,000.

  • Apply Here: Stacy’s Rise Project

7. Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards

  • Description: Supports women-led businesses with a social or environmental impact and offers executive coaching and networking.

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: $30,000–$100,000.

  • Apply Here: Cartier Women’s Initiative

8. The Kitty Fund Mother-Led Business Grant

  • Description: Supports mother-led businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs who are mothers.

  • Amount: $1,000.

  • Apply Here: The Kitty Fund

9. EmpowHER Grants

  • Description: Offers funding to women entrepreneurs addressing social issues, awarded as reimbursement for business-related expenses.

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: Up to $25,000.

  • Apply Here: EmpowHER Grants

10. Texas Rural Woman Grant

  • Description: Funding for women-owned businesses in specific rural counties in Texas.

  • Eligibility: Women entrepreneurs in rural Texas.

  • Amount: $5,000.

  • Apply Here: Texas Woman’s University Grant

11. Fearless Fund Women of Color Grant Program

  • Description: Provides investments, mentorship, and grants for women of color entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Women of color business owners.

  • Amount: Varies based on funding.

  • Apply Here: Fearless Fund

12. Black Girl Ventures Pitch Competition

  • Description: Provides funding and support to Black and Brown women entrepreneurs through pitch competitions.

  • Eligibility: Black and Brown women-owned businesses.

  • Amount: Varies based on competition.

  • Apply Here: Black Girl Ventures

13. EnrichHER Small Business Funding

  • Description: Offers grants and funding to women and minority entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Women and minority business owners.

  • Amount: Varies based on funding.

  • Apply Here: EnrichHER

14. The BOSS Network’s "Invest in Progress" Grant

  • Description: Provides grants and mentorship to help Black women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

  • Eligibility: Black women entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: Varies based on funding.

  • Apply Here: BOSS Network Grant

15. Essence + Pine-Sol Build Your Legacy Contest

  • Description: Awards grants and mentorship to Black women entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Black women entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: $100,000.

  • Apply Here: Build Your Legacy

16. Patagonia Corporate Grant Program

  • Description: Provides funding for environmental sustainability and activism projects.

  • Eligibility: Women and minority-owned businesses.

  • Amount: Varies.

  • Apply Here: Patagonia Grants

17. Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Competition

  • Description: Annual competition for women-led startups, offering mentorship and funding opportunities.

  • Eligibility: Women-led startups.

  • Amount: Varies; winners receive funding and mentorship.

  • Apply Here: Women Founders Network

18. SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

  • Description: Provides grants to support Black women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Black women and nonbinary business owners.

  • Amount: $5,000 and $10,000 grants.

  • Apply Here: SoGal Foundation

19. Visa She's Next Grant Program

  • Description: Offers $10,000 grants for women entrepreneurs along with coaching and marketing opportunities.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in the U.S.

  • Amount: $10,000.

  • Apply Here: Visa She's Next

Other Small-Business Grants for BIPOC Businesses

20. Comcast RISE Investment Fund

  • Description: Offers marketing consultations, media placements, and technology makeovers for small businesses.

  • Eligibility: Small businesses owned by people of color.

  • Amount: Varies by service package.

  • Apply Here: Comcast RISE

21. National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants

  • Description: Supports small business needs like marketing, advertising, and hiring employees.

  • Eligibility: Members of the NASE.

  • Amount: Up to $4,000 per grant.

  • Apply Here: NASE Growth Grants

22. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Grants

  • Description: Offers grant competitions to support minority business enterprises.

  • Eligibility: Minority-owned businesses in the U.S.

  • Amount: Varies based on competition.

  • Apply Here: MBDA Grants

23. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

  • Description: Annual contest providing grants and services to U.S.-based small businesses.

  • Eligibility: Small businesses in the U.S. with fewer than 99 employees.

  • Amount: Varies; previous years awarded $50,000.

  • Apply Here: FedEx Grant Contest

24. Visa Everywhere Initiative

  • Description: A global innovation program with funding opportunities for startups, including women entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Startups and small businesses globally.

  • Amount: Varies by category.

  • Apply Here: Visa Everywhere Initiative

25. The Halstead Grant

  • Description: Annual grant for emerging silver jewelry artists, including funding, supplies, and recognition.

  • Eligibility: Designers pursuing silver jewelry as their primary business.

  • Amount: Varies; includes funding and jewelry supplies.

  • Apply Here: Halstead Grant

26. Backstage Capital Investment

  • Description: Investment fund focusing on underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Underrepresented founders.

  • Amount: Varies based on investment round.

  • Apply Here: Backstage Capital

27. New Voices Fund

  • Description: Provides capital and expertise to women of color entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Women of color business owners.

  • Amount: Up to $100 million.

  • Apply Here: New Voices Fund

28. The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

  • Description: Offers business development assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.

  • Eligibility: Minority-owned small businesses that qualify as socially or economically disadvantaged.

  • Amount: Varies.

  • Apply Here: SBA 8(a) Program

29. The SBA Microloan Program

  • Description: Provides loans to help small businesses and certain non-profits expand.

  • Eligibility: Small businesses in the U.S.

  • Amount: Loans up to $50,000.

  • Apply Here: SBA Microloan Program

30. KKR Small Business Builders Grant

  • Description: Grants supporting entrepreneurs worldwide, including women and minority-owned businesses.

  • Eligibility: Small business owners globally.

  • Amount: $10,000 grants.

  • Apply Here: KKR Small Business Builders

31. LISC Rural Relief Small Business Grants

  • Description: Provides funding for small businesses in rural communities, including minority-owned enterprises.

  • Eligibility: Rural small businesses, with a focus on underserved communities.

  • Amount: Varies.

  • Apply Here: LISC Small Business Grants

32. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Grant Program

  • Description: Provides grants to support women and minority-owned businesses in underserved communities.

  • Eligibility: Small businesses in underserved communities.

  • Amount: Varies.

  • Apply Here: LISC Grant Program

33. Opportunity Fund Small Business Loans

  • Description: Offers financial support tailored to minority and women entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Minority and women-owned small businesses.

  • Amount: Varies based on loan terms.

  • Apply Here: Opportunity Fund

34. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

  • Description: Federal grants supporting startups and small businesses in research and innovation.

  • Eligibility: U.S.-based small businesses, including minority and women-owned enterprises.

  • Amount: Varies.

  • Apply Here: SBIR Program

35. Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund

  • Description: Provides grants to small business owners, with a focus on minority and women entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Small business owners globally.

  • Amount: $5,000 to $25,000.

  • Apply Here: Hello Alice Grants

36. FundBlackFounders Grants

  • Description: Crowdfunding and grant platform supporting Black entrepreneurs, including women-owned businesses.

  • Eligibility: Black entrepreneurs.

  • Amount: Varies by funding program.

  • Apply Here: FundBlackFounders

37. Coca-Cola Foundation Grants

  • Description: Offers grants supporting women entrepreneurs in business education and social impact initiatives.

  • Eligibility: Women-owned and minority-owned businesses focusing on social impact.

  • Amount: Varies based on initiative.

  • Apply Here: Coca-Cola Foundation Grants

38. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

  • Description: Federal program offering grants for startups and small businesses in research and innovation, including minority-owned enterprises.

  • Eligibility: Small businesses with innovative projects, including women- and minority-owned businesses.

  • Amount: Varies based on project scope.

  • Apply Here: SBIR Program

39. Coalition to Back Black Businesses

  • Description: A multi-year initiative offering grants, mentorship, and resources to support Black-owned small businesses.

  • Eligibility: Black-owned small businesses in the U.S. with 3-20 employees.

  • Amount: $5,000 grants with an opportunity to receive $25,000 enhancement grants.

  • Apply Here: Coalition to Back Black Businesses

40. Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant

  • Description: Provides funding to Native American tribes for feasibility studies on economic development projects, supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs.

  • Eligibility: Native American tribes and their businesses working on economic development.

  • Amount: Varies based on project proposal.

  • Apply Here: NABDI Grant

41. Lenovo – The Evolve Small Initiative

  • Funding: $25,000 in grant funding

  • Eligibility: Historically marginalized, disabled, and women-owned small businesses located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, Toronto, Washington, DC, or Vancouver

  • Deadline: February 17, 2025

  • Apply Here: Lenovo Evolve Small

While securing a grant takes effort and persistence, it can provide a significant financial boost to your business. Consider applying to multiple opportunities and refining your applications to improve your chances of success.

For the latest updates on small business grants, be sure to bookmark this blog and check for new funding opportunities throughout the year!

Nicole Grimes
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