10 Fantastic Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

Have you been thinking about starting a business? If so, you’re going to need a great idea, ambition, and the skills to outshine the competition.

You’re also going to need the resources necessary to put your ideas into action and get your operation off the ground. After all, you’re going to quickly discover that starting a business from scratch will be one of the biggest challenges you’ll ever face.

This article takes a look at entrepreneurial resources for women-owned businesses. Keep reading to discover insight into how to take your business plan to the next level while maximizing your potential for success.

1. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

WBENC is a tremendous business resource that opens doors for women-owned companies to have the chance to do business with major corporations.

Their mission is to fuel economic growth through independent certification of female-driven businesses in order to facilitate opportunities for large scale growth.

2. International Association of Women

The IAW provides the chance for women from a wide range of backgrounds and professional fields of expertise to have face-to-face interaction. This networking organization facilitates professional development opportunities, including virtual networking and promotional events.

The International Association of Women is a dynamic community of women that have accomplished great things and are excited to share their experiences with others in an effort to lift each other up and achieve bigger and better things together.

3. The U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration has been helping women entrepreneurs start and grow businesses for decades.

This organization offers over 100 centers that provide training and counseling covering a wide variety of helpful topics. They also sponsor a Women-Owned Small Businesses Federal Contracting Program that’s designed to provide women-centric small businesses access to federal contracts.

SBA centers are located throughout the U.S. and its territories.

4. FedEx Small Business Grant

This grant isn’t intended exclusively for women, yet it provides a significant opportunity for winners to take home the top prize of $25,000.

This grant was created to recognize “incredible small businesses from across the country.”

The FedEx Small Business Grant makes an effort to distribute awards even between businesses owned by both men and women. In addition to the financial award, the ten winners will also get access to free print and copy services from FedEx Office.

5. Amber Grants for Women

The Amber Grant was started in 1998 in honor of a 19-year old woman who unfortunately died before achieving her dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

It is a monthly $500 grant that is designed to help women of all ages reach their business goals. You can apply at the Amber Grants for Women website. You’ll need to be prepared to provide information about your business and what you intend to do with the money if picked by the judging panel.

6. American Association of University Women Community Action Grants

The AAUW offers grants to women for one or two-year community-based projects. Keep in mind that these grants are typically more focused on education rather than simply business ownership.

The funding for this grant dates back to 1972 and was originally designed to promote education and equality for women and girls interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship.

Due to the fact that this is a women’s business organization, the grant is totally woman-focused. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and special consideration for the grant is typically given to those with achievements in STEM initiatives.

7. Open Meadows Foundation

This biannual grant awards $2,000 to smaller organizations that have operating budgets below $75,000 per year. Intended for women-led projects that specifically benefit women and girls, the foundation focuses on helping to build communities.

To apply for the Open Meadows Foundation grant, simply visit their website. You’ll need to fill out the cover sheet from the website and then return it by email along with all requested information. Wondering is Mac mini a good buy with your funding? Be sure you do your research.

8. 37 Angles Grants

37 Angels was formed by a group of women investors with the goal of increasing the percentage of angel investors in the country from 13% to 50%.

This is an amazing organization for women that is designed to take female-owned companies to the next level. Keep in mind that the capital provided by 37 Angels comes in the form of financial investment rather than a grant. Thus the influx of cash could potentially provide exactly what your business needs to succeed and grow.

9. Nav Grant

The Nav Grant is another grant that’s not limited to female entrepreneurs, and yet it does offer a tremendous opportunity for businesses looking for help in rising to the next level.

First prize is $10,000, and you can apply more than once each year. Applications can be found on Facebook. When you apply, it’s important to demonstrate a specific issue that your business is facing and why the money would help you overcome the challenge.

10. GrantsforWomen.org

GrantsforWomen.org was founded to provide working capital that will help get small women-owned businesses off the ground.

While this is a smaller grant than some of the others on this list, it might be exactly the amount of money needed to help a company survive that would otherwise go unnoticed.

A Guide to Entrepreneurial Resources That Every Women-Owned Business Should Know About

Small business owners need all the help they can get. That’s why grants are so important. Fortunately, this guide to entrepreneurial resources can help provide the support you need to get started when times are tough.

Keep scrolling to discover more great tips and advice on women-related topics.

Thanks to Amelie