Grants Offered to Small Businesses Owned by Ten Black Female Entrepreneurs

Grants Offered to Small Businesses Owned by Ten Black Female Entrepreneurs

In the current political and economic climate, securing business grants for Black women entrepreneurs can be challenging due to shifting funding priorities and limited resources. Many programs that once directly supported Black female business grants have either been reduced or become highly competitive, leaving underrepresented, overlooked, and underfunded groups struggling to acquire financial support. Nevertheless, viable solutions exist, including local community funding, private sector partnerships, and intersectional grant opportunities. Expanding research beyond traditional funding sources can help uncover additional options.

Black women entrepreneurs should not limitation themselves to business grants specifically designed for marginalized or minority women. While some grants have historically targeted Black women-owned businesses, resources may be scarce due to changes in regulations and policies around language and terminology. Instead, entrepreneurs should explore alternative paths like small business grants under different eligibility categories, such as first-time owners, local community initiatives, or industry-specific funding. For example, searching for grants is similar to looking for a job; sometimes, the perfect opportunity is listed under a different title, but the qualifications still match.

Local nonprofits, community foundations, and chambers of commerce often provide financial and mentorship support, as well as valuable local connections that may not appear in national databases. Additionally, if direct funding is limited, entrepreneurs can shift strategies and leverage strategic networking by seeking out grants tied to intersecting identities, such as economic development, labor growth, social change, youth programs, healthcare, environmental issues, or community-based initiatives. When resources are scarce, awareness-raising through advocacy, data collection, networking, coalition building, and storytelling can push for future investment in marginalized women's business grants.

Here are ten viable grant opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs:

1. Her Rise Micro Grant (Deadline: Rolling; Eligibility: Women Entrepreneurs; Reward: $1,000; Application Link: https://www.hersuitespot.com/herrise/)
2. Amber Grant (Deadline: Monthly; Eligibility: Women Business Owners; Reward: $10,000; Application Link: Amber Grant)
3. Cartier Women’s Initiative Award (Deadline: April 18 to June 24, 2025; Eligibility: Women Entrepreneurs Leading Impact Businesses; Reward: Grant Funding Up to $200,000 + Mentoring and Support; Application Link: Cartier Women’s Initiative Award)
4. Nikon x Black Women Photographers Grant Fund (Deadline: March 28, 2025; Eligibility: Black Women Photographers; Reward: $50K in Grants and $20K in Mirrorless Gear; Application Link: Nikon x Black Women Photographers Grant Fund)

The following six grant opportunities should also be considered:

1. Women’s Empire Grant (Deadline: March - December 2025; Eligibility: Women Entreprenuers; Reward: $1,000; Application Link: Women’s Empire Grant)
2. Boundless Futures Foundation Grants (Deadline: Varies Quarterly; Eligibility: Women with Socially Responsible Business Concepts; Reward: Up to $25,000; Application Link: Boundless Futures Foundation Grant)
3. Texas Woman’s University Veteran Woman Grant (Deadline: February 21, 2025; Eligibility: Women Veterans in Texas; Reward: $5,000; Application Link: Texas Woman’s University Veteran Woman Grant)
4. Olga’s Kitchen Grant for Michigan Women Entrepreneurs (Deadline: Rolling; Eligibility: Women Entrepreneurs in Michigan; Reward: Up to $10,000; Application Link: Olga’s Kitchen Grant)
5. The Mama Ladder International Grant (Deadline: September 1-30, 2025; Eligibility: Mothers Who Own Businesses; Reward: TBA; Application Link: The Mama Ladder International Grant)
6. Women’s Giving Circle of Harford County Grant (Deadline: March 14, 2025; Eligibility: Organizations Supporting Women and Girls in Harford County, Maryland; Reward: $5,000; Application Link: Women’s Giving Circle of Harford County Grant)

Expanding funding options beyond labeled business grants can open new doors for Black women entrepreneurs. Making new connections, telling compelling stories, and advocating around their cause can help uncover additional grant opportunities. By taking advantage of alternative funding methods and resources, Black women-led businesses can thrive, creating positive change in their communities and the broader economy.

1. Despite the competition and shifting priorities in grant funding, Black women entrepreneurs should explore intersectional grant opportunities that align with their business's mission, such as economic development, labor growth, or social change.
2. Private sector partnerships and local community funding can also be valuable resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs, as they often provide supportive networks and tailored tips to help navigate the complex grant application process.

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