Government Grants for Women-Owned Businesses: What Is Actually Available
Government grants for women-owned businesses come from federal agencies, state economic development programs, and SBA-affiliated organizations. There is a lot of misleading information online about free money for women entrepreneurs, so this guide focuses on real programs with documented funding, clear eligibility requirements, and active application cycles. If you own a women-owned business and want to access government funding, here is what you need to know.
Federal Government Grants and Set-Asides for Women-Owned Businesses
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
The SBA's WOSB program is not a grant, but it is one of the most valuable government programs for women-owned businesses. The federal government sets a goal of awarding at least 5% of federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses. To participate, you need to certify as a WOSB through the SBA's certification portal. Once certified, you can compete for contracts that are set aside specifically for WOSBs.
While this is contracting rather than grant funding, it provides a direct revenue stream from the federal government and is worth pursuing if your business provides goods or services that agencies purchase.
SBIR and STTR Programs
The SBIR and STTR programs do not restrict eligibility by gender, but they actively encourage applications from women-owned businesses. Several agencies offer technical assistance programs specifically for women-owned firms preparing SBIR proposals. The NSF, NIH, and DoD all track their SBIR awards to women-owned businesses and have stated goals to increase those numbers.
USDA Programs
USDA Rural Development grants are available to women-owned businesses in rural areas. Programs like the Rural Business Development Grant and Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program fund technical assistance, training, and business development for small and emerging businesses in rural communities.
SBA-Affiliated Programs for Women Entrepreneurs
The SBA does not directly award grants to women-owned businesses, but it funds a network of organizations that provide resources:
- Women's Business Centers (WBCs): More than 140 WBCs across the country provide free or low-cost training, counseling, and mentorship. They also help women entrepreneurs identify and apply for grant opportunities.
- SCORE: Free mentoring from experienced business professionals. SCORE mentors can help you refine your business plan, prepare grant applications, and navigate government programs.
- SBA Community Advantage Loans: While loans rather than grants, these are specifically designed for underserved markets including women-owned businesses, with more flexible terms than conventional SBA loans.
State Government Grants for Women-Owned Businesses
Many states have grant or incentive programs specifically for women-owned businesses or that prioritize women-owned firms in their scoring criteria. These programs change frequently, so check your state's economic development agency website for current opportunities.
Common state-level programs include:
- Business development grants with women-owned business preference points
- Workforce training reimbursement programs
- Technology commercialization grants
- Export assistance programs
- Microgrant programs administered through state-funded Women's Business Centers
State certification as a women-owned business (separate from the federal WOSB certification) may be required for state-level programs. Check your state's procurement office for certification requirements.
Government Grants for Women-Owned Businesses: Certification Requirements
Most government programs require some form of certification to verify women-owned status:
- SBA WOSB certification: Required for the federal WOSB contracting program. You can self-certify through the SBA's beta.certify.sba.gov portal, or obtain third-party certification from approved organizations.
- State certification: Many states maintain their own women-owned business certification programs. These are typically required for state contracting set-asides and some state grant programs.
- WBENC certification: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council provides a nationally recognized certification used by many corporations and some government programs.
Getting certified takes time, so start the process before you need it for a specific opportunity. Having certification in place allows you to respond quickly when opportunities open.
Application Strategies for Government Grants
Government grant applications are formal and structured. To improve your chances:
- Register in SAM.gov and obtain a UEI number before you need one. This is required for all federal awards.
- Build relationships with your local SBA office and Women's Business Center. They often hear about opportunities before they are widely publicized.
- Focus on programs where your business fits the stated purpose, rather than applying broadly to every available grant.
- Track deadlines in a calendar and start preparing at least 30 days before the due date.
Find Government Grants for Your Business
Rather than searching multiple agency websites, use FindGrants to match your business profile against available government grants. Enter your business type, industry, location, and ownership demographics, and the engine returns a ranked list of grants you qualify for, including programs that prioritize women-owned businesses. Search available grants now.