Who just hands out strings-free cash so you can turn your side hustle into a fully-fledged small business? The answer is: not many people or organizations. Unlike small business loans, which have to be repaid (often with interest and within a certain period of time), grants are funding you get to keep. Once a grant is distributed, you do not have to repay a dime.
It is a great deal with a catch. Small business grants have arduous application processes. Expect a stringent written application, a meticulous review process, and a whole lot of competition. They can also be difficult to track down because of outdated websites, databases, or organizations that go out of business.
At Girlboss, we believe every ambitious woman building a business deserves to know where the money is. Here is the 2026 list, with every amount and status verified.
Grant details change frequently. Always verify current deadlines, eligibility, and availability directly with the official source before applying. This list was last updated in August 2026.
Where to Start Your Search
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Your local Small Business Development Center is the best first stop for any grant search. Funded in part through the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBDCs provide free guidance to local grants and funding options, review your applications before you submit, and connect you with programs you would not find on your own. They are hosted by state universities or state economic development agencies and serve every state.
Grants.gov
The most comprehensive database of federally-backed grants across all fields. Not limited to women, but a thorough starting point for discovering what your business qualifies for. Can be overwhelming, but nothing is as complete. Use filters by agency, eligibility, and category to narrow it down.
IFundWomen
IFundWomen is a grant marketplace that aggregates funding opportunities for women-owned businesses, partners with corporations like Visa, American Express, and Neutrogena to administer grants, and also offers coaching and crowdfunding.
Complete one universal application to receive notifications when you become eligible for any open grant. One of the most useful tools for women who want to stay on top of new opportunities without constantly hunting.
Hello Alice
Hello Alice is a fintech platform serving over 1.5 million small business owners across all 50 states. They have distributed over $50 million in grants since 2020, offer accelerator programs, and provide free guides on everything from writing a business plan to understanding your financing options. Particularly strong for women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. Free to join and use.
Grants to Apply For Now
Amber Grant by WomensNet
The Amber Grant is named after Amber Wigdahl, who died at 19 before fulfilling her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants every month to women-owned businesses across all industries, including nonprofits.
Monthly winners automatically qualify for one of three $50,000 year-end grants. One application covers all eligible programs. Apply any month, with category-specific themes rotating throughout the year.
Cartier Women's Initiative
One of the most prestigious grants for women impact entrepreneurs globally. Open to for-profit, woman-led businesses that are one to six years old and committed to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Three finalists are selected from each of nine regions, with $100,000 for first place, $60,000 for second, and $30,000 for third. Fellows also receive a structured year-long leadership program, INSEAD training, and global visibility. The 2026 fellows were announced in March 2026; applications for the 2027 edition are open until June 16, 2026.
Tarte Shape Your Future Small Business Awards
Tarte Cosmetics ran its second annual Shape Your Future awards in August 2023, providing $300,000 in grants for Black women entrepreneurs across two tiers: six awards of $25,000 and 15 awards of $10,000. Recipients also received mentorship, content creation space at Tarte Labs, and legal guidance. The most recent confirmed edition was 2023. Check the official page directly to confirm whether a 2026 cycle has been announced before applying.
Additional Programs Worth Knowing
More active 2026 programs from NerdWallet's verified list:
- Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition — $15,000 first place for women-owned businesses with at least $10,000 in lifetime sales.
- SoGal Foundation Black Entrepreneur Grant — $5,000 to $10,000 for Black women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.
- NerdWallet full list — The most current and comprehensive verified list of women's small business grants.
The small business grant struggle is simultaneously extremely real and highly worth it. The competition is fierce, the applications are arduous, and the process requires patience.
But grants are money you keep, and for women building a business on a lean budget, that changes everything. For more on the full funding picture beyond grants, our guide to small business loans for women covers the options when you need capital faster than a grant cycle allows.
Business coverage for women who are building. Get the Girlboss Daily for funding opportunities, small business strategy, and the resources that help you make it happen.
