If you are a woman business owner, you are in luck for there is a good bit of money earmarked by the Federal Government specifically for use by women business owners.  But first, you might want to understand how Federal Grant money actually works.

How Does Federal Grant Money Work For Women Business Owners?

Grant money available for women business owners comes two different ways.  First is the money that is available to individual women-owned businesses from the Federal Government; secondly is the money that has been given from the Federal Government to individual organizations which then pass the money on to the businesses owned by women.

Grants Available Directly from the U.S. Government

The absolute main source for grants for businesses owned by women would have to be www.grants.gov; here you will find lists of grants specifically designed for women business owners.  Most of these will be listed either under “business grants” or “minority grants” and may have specific requirements for eligibility and/or application.

Another source of grants from the Federal Government is the Small Business Administration (SBA).  While the SBA usually does not give out individual grants to business owners, it does make exceptions when it comes to businesses owned by women as they fall under the allocation of minority grants and have different guidelines and regulations. For more information on the Small Business Administration, see:  Office of Women’s Business Ownership

Then of course there are individual grants offered by organizations that have received federal funding specifically earmarked to help women business owners.  These include organizations such as:

The Women’s Funding Network which promotes the development and growth of women’s funds.  Members of this group invest over $65 million a year in women and girls worldwide.  For more information, see:  www.wfnet.org

American Association of University Women.  The American Association of University Women funds aspiring scholars around the globe as well as women teachers and activists in certain communities as well as women at critical stages of their careers or pursuing professions in underrepresented careers.  For more information see:  www.aauw.org

State Funded Grant Programs

Most every state in the US has programs specifically put in place to help women business owners not only get started in their selected business but in helping them to make the necessary business connections, to expand their business and other necessary steps in the business growth process.  This can include financial counseling, business ownership mentoring as well as directly awarded funds.  For more information on these and other state-run programs go to your local state website and type in “women business owners” to see what is available in your area.