Grants For Women & For-Profit Business Startups

Small businesses are a crucial part of the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, 64 percent of new jobs in the past fifteen years were created by small businesses. For women looking to start their own business, there are numerous financial options available to help with associated start-up costs.


According to  Chron.com

Non-Profit Organizations Dedicated to Women

Organizations dedicated to improving the social and economic future of women can be a tremendous resource. These groups can provide mentoring and networking opportunities, educational scholarships and funding for women to start their own businesses. The Amber Foundation Grant was established in 1998 and is run in conjunction with WomensNet.net, (womensnet.net) an online business resource for women. The grant is awarded to women looking to start either a home-based or online business to help pay for initial expenses such as establishing a website. As of 2013, the next round of grants will be a $1,500 award.
Hurry! The application cutoff for the next $500 grant is May 31, 2013

Small Business Mentoring Organizations

Successful entrepreneurs and business people are a tremendous resource for mentoring with many establishing foundations and websites to share their knowledge. They can be a great reference point for all business owners and a source of funding. Investor and entrepreneur Peter Theil established the Theil Fellowship: 20 Under 20 to encourage young entrepreneurs under the age of twenty with developed business ideas. The $100,000 grant as of publication is aimed to attract students out of the classroom and into a working-world opportunity. The Idea Cafe established by small business owner Francie Ward offers the $1,000 Small Business Grant which also includes an additional $1,500 in advertising as of 2011. Applications for the 2013 class are due by 11:59 PM, December 31, 2012.

Corporate Grants

Corporation foundations that focus on the economic stability of women can be a tremendous resource for financing. Such funding can help women create the "next big thing" as well as help secure financial independence. Baby supply company Huggies (Huggies.com) offers the MomInspired Grant program to help women to develop a product or start a business. As of publication, the award amount is $15,000. Eligible concepts do not need to be related to diapers or baby supplies but should focus on children ages newborn to six as well as pre-natal care.

Applications for the 2013 Huggies® MomInspired™ Grant will be accepted beginning Monday, May 6, 2013, through Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

 

Make Mine a Million

(http:www.makemineamillion.org) This organization offers annual events and grant awards to women owed businesses who want to grow to over one million dollars in revenue. This site will insprire you to do great things; check it out the Million Dollar Club page to read about the success stories of the organization.

About the Author

Beth Greene was first published in the "Journal Irish Historical Studies" in 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Ireland, Galway, a Master of Philosophy in medieval history from Trinity College, Dublin and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin.