The need for grants for women is well known. Women own over 9 million businesses yet they receive the smallest amount of financing from traditional sources such as banks and venture capital firms. Traditionally, women own smaller types of businesses that don't need financial assistance of $250,000 or more and so financing options are limited.
Business grants, however, are difficult to come by. Most businesses are created with loans which rely on good credit histories and collateral that women may have a hard time supplying. Women often choose to max out their credit cards or borrow from family members in order to start a business, which may make their own finances uncomfortable.
There are over thousand’s of recognized state, federal and private grant awarding agencies throughout the United States. Far too many to list at once here (bookmark this page for future updates) but we can briefly condense some of the categories of small business grants for women that you will be able to find by searching the grants database.
You can search by a particular business title if you wish. For example, grants for day care centers, scientific research grants, farming and agricultural grants, etc. And you may also find a number of available free money opportunities when looking for gender or ethnic specific grants like minority business grants, women business grants, or grants for single parents.
How to find Small Business Grants for Women
Online
There are several online sites worth looking at that provide information and access to grants. In addition to this, there are sites specifically aimed to giving grants to women. These sites attempt to help the female population succeed in entrepreneurialism and climb on the ladder of success. There are women's funding networks which promote the growth of women's funds and empower women to encourage strategic networking among themselves, donors and communities.
The local Small Business Association (SBA) office
should help you in finding the right business grants. Even grants that are not advertised online can be found here. They should also point you in the right direction of grants offered in your area of business.
Count-me--in.org http://www.count-me-in.org/ - Is a new fundraising organization that raises money from women for women. Loans are given from $500 to $10,000 (for first time recipients the maximum amount is $5,000). Count-Me-In looks like a great resource with funding consideration based on experience over credit history. Check them out!
