Start-Up Grants for Women and Minorities

Is a Grant Right For You?

Looking for Grants for Women and Start-Ups?  I am frequently asked by prospective business owners, particularly women, about where to find grants to help them get started with their business concepts.  There are grants available but qualifying is difficult and competition is fierce.  In general, preparing yourself to qualify for business loans, is the better avenue for funding.  Below are some resources for grants for women and start-up businesses. 

Grants.gov – This is the best place to start when looking for grants for your business. The site offers tips for grant writing and a learning center, explaining how to find and qualify for grants.

GrantsforWomen.org – This is an online guide for grants geared specifically to women. Women typically and unfortunately, get less Venture Capital money than men and this site recognizes women are underserved when it comes to qualifying for business funding. 

Challenge.gov – Receiving these grants requires you to compete while you help the U.S. government solve problems, nationally and locally, big and small. 

Cartier Women’s Initiative – This is an annual competition that identifies, supports and encourages all types of projects by women entrepreneurs.  This is a lucrative grant and, as would be expected, the competition is fierce. 

FedEx Small Business Grant – This is a contest that awards at least 10 entrepreneurs with grants and prizes each year.  To qualify for this grant, you must have been in business for at least 6 months at the start of the contest. This is a lucrative grant with the grand prize winner receiving $50,000 and $7500 in print and business services from FedEx office.

Score – SCORE is a wonderful resource for all business owners.  SCORE bills itself as the nation’s larges network of volunteer, expert business mentors.  They have more than 10,000 volunteers in over 300 chapters nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA and assistance is free.

SBA InnovateHER Challenge – The SBA provides financing each year to businesses that are run by or benefit women.  This is a challenge and you must win a local InnovateHER challenge to qualify for the national challenge, which has awarded $40,000 to the national winner.  Businesses must have 51% or more women ownership.

SBA – The SBA offers a resource center, not exclusive to women or start-ups, that provides information on grants currently available to businesses.

Grants are available to women and start-ups but keep in mind, you will need to be prepared and have a fantastic business plan to qualify.

Kina Jackson

Flourish Commercial Capital 855-214-6838

www.flourishcommercialcapital.com