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The Startup Ladies
Aug 66 min read

40+ Grant Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs Starting Up and Scaling For Profit Businesses



It often feels impossible for women founders of for-profit businesses to find grants that fund for-profit business models. Well we found some!


This list of grants for women-owned businesses is organized by category and then alphabetically by organization, The grant making entities we selected to share do provide cash grants to for-profit business entities. Below you will find: a brief explanation of what the grant supports, links to the grantors, and grant amounts or ranges or grant amount range.


Since the HQ of The Startup Ladies is in Indianapolis, Indiana, we included some state grants for both residents and business owners who do business in the state. We hope you find some opportunities that prove to be fruitful for you. Be sure to let us know if they do!



Federal Grants


1. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

  • Details: Federal grants for research and development.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by project phase, typically $150,000 - $1,000,000.

  • Deadline: Multiple cycles annually.

  • Application Information Page: SBIR Application

  • Website: SBIR 


2. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

  • Details: Federal grants for technological innovation.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by project phase, typically $150,000 - $1,000,000.

  • Deadline: Multiple cycles annually.

  • Application Information Page: STTR Application

  • Website: STTR


3. USA Funding

  • Details: billions of dollars awarded to individuals and businesses in the form of grants and other types of funding.

  • Grant Amount: Varies.

  • Deadline: Varies.

  • Application Information Page: USA Funding Application

  • Website: USA Funding


4. U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grants

  • Details: Various grants for economic development.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by program.

  • Deadline: Varies by program.

  • Funding Opportunities Page: EDA Grants

  • Website: EDA


Private Grants


5. Amber Grant for Women from Women's Net

  • Details: $10,000 monthly grant for women entrepreneurs, with an additional $25,000 awarded annually.

  • Grant Amount: $10,000 monthly, $25,000 annually.

  • Deadline: Monthly deadlines (end of each month).

  • Application Page: Apply for Amber Grant

  • Website: Amber Grants for Women


6. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest


7. IFundWomen Universal Grant Application Database


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


9. SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant


10. The Awesome Foundation Women


11. The Halstead Grant

  • Details: Up to $7,500 for women in the jewelry industry.

  • Grant Amount: Up to $7,500.

  • Deadline: May 1st typically (check website for current deadline).

  • Application Information Page: Halstead Grant Application

  • Website: Halstead Grant


Indiana State Grants


12. Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Grants

  • Details: Economic development incentives and grants.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by program.

  • Deadline: Varies by program.

  • Application Page: IEDC Grant Programs

  • Website: IEDC


13. Indiana Humanities CARES Grants


14. Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Grants

  • Details: $6.7 million in grants to boost food supply resilience.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by grant.

  • Deadline: Project period is from June 2024 to May 2027.

  • Application Page: ISDA Grants

  • Website: ISDA


15. Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Grants

  • Details: For health-related businesses.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by project.

  • Deadline: Varies by program.

  • Application Page: ISDH Grants

  • Website: ISDH


16. Indiana Tourism Grants


17. Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant


18. Lafayette-West Lafayette Small Business Grants


Private Foundation Grants


19. Duke Energy Foundation Grants


20. PNC Foundation Grants



Industry-Specific Grants


21. Ladies Who Launch Grants


22. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants

  • Details: For sustainable agriculture projects.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by project.

  • Deadline: Varies by region and program.

  • Application Page: SARE Grants

  • Website: SARE


Regional Grants


23. Chicago Foundation for Women


24. Texas Women’s Foundation Grant


Corporate and Foundation Grants


25. Walmart Local Community Grants


Minority and Women-Specific Grants


26. AT&T She's Connected Grant


27. Fearless Strivers Grant

  • Details: Designed for small businesses that are at least 51% Black women owned. Four small businesses will receive a $20,000 grant, mentorship, and digital tools to help them grow their businesses.

  • Grant Amount: $20,000.

  • Deadline: Quarterly.

  • Application Page: Fearless Fund Application

  • Website: Fearless Strivers Grant


28. Galaxy of Stars Grants

  • Details: Grant funding for women and historically marginalized owned small businesses.

  • Grant Amount: $3,750 - $4,250.

  • Deadline: September 30th, 2024.

  • Application Page: Galaxy Grants

  • Website: Galaxy of Stars


29. High Five Grant for Moms


Education and Training Grants


30. Ivy Tech Community College Workforce Grants


31. Women’s Business Development Center Education Grant


Arts and Culture Grants


32. Creative Capital Women’s Arts Grant


33. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Women’s Grant

  • Details: Grants for women-led artistic projects.

  • Grant Amount: Varies by project.

  • Deadline: Annually.

  • Application Page: NEA Grants

  • Website: NEA


Technology and Innovation Grants


34. National Science Foundation Women Entrepreneurship Grants


Additional Grants


35. AAUW Career Development Grants

  • Details: Up to $12,000 for women advancing their careers through education.

  • Grant Amount: Up to $12,000.

  • Deadline: Varies by program. 

  • Application Page: AAUW Grants

  • Website: AAUW


36. BGE Energizing Small Business Grants


37. Fast Break for Small Business Grants

  • Details: $10,000 grants through LegalZoom and NBA.

  • Grant Amount: $10,000.

  • Deadline: Varies; check the website for current deadlines.

  • Application Page: Fast Break Grants

  • Website: LegalZoom Fast Break


38. Freed Fellowship Grant

  • Details: One business owner $500 a month and the chance to earn $2,500 at the end of the year. Winners also receive constructive feedback on their businesses and a two-month membership to the Freed Fellowship community.

  • Grant Amount: $500-2,500.

  • Deadline: Check the website for the most current deadline.

  • Application Page: Freed Fellowship Grant Application

  • Website: Freed Fellowship Grant Requirements


39. National Geographic Women’s Environmental Grant


40. William + Flora Hewlett Foundation Grants


41. Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)


42. Women’s Sports Foundation GoGirlGo! Grant


Notes for founders:

  • Verify all deadlines, as they can change annually.

  • Check eligibility criteria to ensure the grants are suitable for women-owned businesses in Indiana.

  • Reach out to local economic development agencies and business incubators for additional support and resources.


Regardless of where you live in the world, The Startup Ladies can help you go from idea, to market, to growth. We provide monthly training programs and have an eLearning platform available to members 24-7. For more information about membership click here.

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