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38 Business Grants for Black Women

Grant funding can help Black women entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Here are some options.
By Rosalie Murphy, Sally Lauckner
Last updated on February 13, 2024
Edited bySally Lauckner

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⏰ Estimated read time: 17 minutes

Business grants offer free money that can help Black women grow or even launch a business. Although that may sound appealing,  contests tend to have short application windows and lots of competition for relatively small amounts of funding, so it’s important to tap other resources, too.
In this list, we’ve rounded up lots of business grants open to Black women. Some are open to other entrepreneurs, too. If a program is currently closed to applications, take note of requirements and sign up to be notified when it reopens. You’ll also find organizations that help Black women business owners win government contracts, pitch investors or find other funding opportunities. 

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Business grants for Black women

1. HerRise Micro-Grant

The awards $1,000 per month to a small business owned by a woman of color. The grant is a program of the Yva Jourdan Foundation, the nonprofit arm of HerSuiteSpot. Applications close on the last day of each month. To qualify, your business must be at least 51% owned by a woman of color.

2. Wish Local Empowerment Program Grant

The offers grants between $500 and $2,000 to Black business owners. In order to be eligible, applicants must own a brick-and-mortar storefront in the U.S., must be over the age of 18, must have 20 or fewer employees and must have an average annual revenue of less than $1 million.

3. Invest in Progress Grant

A partnership between the Boss Network and Hello Alice, the Invest in Progress Grant is open to Black women entrepreneurs. In addition to one year of mentorship, recipients will be awarded a $10,000 grant. until Feb. 23, 2024.

4. Black History Makers Grant

Now in its fourth year, the from Citi Trends awards $5,000 grants to 10 Black entrepreneurs. Applications are accepted until Feb. 28, 2024.

5. BGV TikTok Innovate Together Grant

A collaboration between Black Girl Ventures and TikTok, the awards a total of 12 grants. There are three levels of grants: $10,000 Enterprise Awards, $5,000 Innovation Awards and $2,500 Community Awards. To be eligible, you must have an active TikTok account. The application window is open from Jan. 30 - Feb. 29, 2024.

6. Galaxy Grant

is a grant program run by , a nonprofit that helps women and minority entrepreneurs. Grants are open to women and people of color who run or are planning to start a business and who are U.S. residents. Applications are accepted until March 31, 2024.

7. Corporate Counsel Women of Color Grants

The awards five $5,000 grants to women of color business owners each year. To be eligible, your business must have been established as of January 1, 2020, it must be a U.S.-based, for-profit business and it must have generated more than $25,000 in revenue since its inception. Submissions are accepted in a rolling basis, from January 2024 to January 2025.

8. The Amber Grant Foundation

The awards three monthly grants of $10,000 to female entrepreneurs. If you’re awarded one of the $10,000 monthly grants, you will also be in the running to win one of Amber Grant Foundation’s yearly $25,000 grants.
To apply, you’ll fill out a short form on the Amber Grant website, where you’ll tell the organization about your business idea and how you would spend your grant funds. Note that you’ll have to pay a $15 application fee.

9. The Freed Fellowship

Each month, a small business owner is awarded a $500 micro-grant and a free 30-minute business coaching session from the . Monthly winners will also be eligible for a year-end $2,500 grant.

10. NASE Growth Grants

Founded in 1981, the , (NASE) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and microbusinesses. Its grant program awards NASE members up to $4,000 to finance a particular need, whether that’s buying equipment, hiring staff, launching a marketing plan or making another approved purchase.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year, and the organization awards one grant per month. To apply for an NASE Growth Grant, you’ll need to join NASE and remain in good standing with the organization for at least three months.

11. Center for Economic Inclusion Vanguard Accelerator

This accelerator program is open to Black and Latina women-owned businesses in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Additional requirements include employing at least three people, being in business for at least three years and an annual business revenue between $75,000 and $3 million. Ten businesses will be selected to receive $5,000 grants, and will be given access to up to $250,000 in forgivable loans. The until Feb. 21, 2024.

12. The Transform Business Grant

The is open to business owners from systemically oppressed backgrounds. BIPOC individuals, individuals with disabilities, queer, trans and nonbinary individuals, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals are all eligible to apply. Each grantee receives a $1,000 microgrant. The 2024 application dates are March 15-31 and Sept. 15-30.

13. National Black Business Pitch

The awards grants up to $10,000 to three businesses. To be eligible, your business must be Black-owned and U.S. based. The deadline to apply is June 3, 2024.

14. Kitty Fund Grant Program

The Kitty Fund is open to business owners who are mothers. To be eligible to apply, your business must have been in operation for at least one year, must employ between two and 100 people and must generate no more than $5 million in revenue. The next cycle of the opens in March 2024. Pre-registration is open now.

15. Founders First Job Creators Quest Grant

Twenty-five Southern California-based businesses will be awarded grants through the . This grant program is open to business owners who identify as one or more of the following: woman, Black, Latinx, Asian, LGBTQ+ or a veteran. You must employ at least two people and generate an annual revenue between $100,000 and $5 million. Pre-registration for the 2024 cycle will open soon.

16. Brown Girl Jane x Shea Moisture Grant

Originally launched in 2020, this grant is a collaboration between Brown Girl Jane, a plant-based beauty brand and Shea Moisture. It awards grants between $10,000 and $25,000, and is open to Black- and women-owned beauty businesses that have been in operation for at least one year. The next .

17. StartHER Grant

Run by Texas Woman's University's Center for Women Entrepreneurs, the awards $5,000 grants to 25 Texas-based women business owners. The next cycle opens in 2024. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 3 - Oct. 4, 2024.

18. REI Navigate Program

The is a four-month entrepreneurial program open to outdoor-related businesses with at least one founder who identifies as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American or Pacific Islander. In addition to mentorship and programming, participants receive a $25,000 grant. Application dates have not yet been announced for 2024.

19. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant

A collaboration between the NAACP, the Shark Group and Medium Rare, the awards $25,000 to select Black-owned businesses annually. Winners will also receive mentorship and free resources. Dates for the 2024 grant cycle have not been announced yet.

20. TL Effect

is a mentorship program hosted by ThirdLove. Launched in 2020, this program is open to women of color business owners. Each year, one recipient will be awarded a $25,000 business grant. Additional prizes include business mentorship and financial advice from ThirdLove founders. Applications for the next cycle are expected to open in 2024.

21. Coalition to Back Black Businesses

The offers $5,000 grants to Black-owned businesses. After a period of mentorship and coaching, select grantees receive an additional $25,000. To qualify, businesses must have three to 20 employees and be in an “economically vulnerable community,” as determined by the Distressed Communities Index.

22. Female Founder Collective x FounderMade Innovation Giveaway

This is open to businesses that are at least 51% women-owned and are in the food and beverage, wellness or beauty industries. Additionally, businesses must be direct-to-consumer and product-based.

23. Enthuse Foundation Women Founder's Pitch Competition

The 's annual pitch competition awards $10,000 to one grand-prize winner, while the runner-up will get a $5,000 grant. To be eligible, your business must be at least 51% woman-owned; in the food, beverage or consumer package goods industry and your company's lifetime revenue may not exceed $500,000.

24. Fearless Strivers Grant Initiative

The , administered in collaboration with Mastercard, awards $20,000 grants to four businesses nationwide. In addition to funding, winners get one-on-one mentorship and access to digital tools. Applicants must be Black women, U.S. citizens and over the age of 18.

25. NAACP & Leslie's Inc. Certification Boost Grant

Food businesses that are at least 51% owned by a person of color and/or a woman and/or a person with a disability may be eligible to apply for this grant program, which is a . Your business must be headquartered in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia or Texas. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

26. Black Women in Food Grant

Presented by the Black Women in Food Initiative and funded by UberEats and EatOkra, the awards $10,000 to 10 food businesses each year. To be eligible, your business must be at least 51% Black woman owned and must be on UberEats. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

27. Publish Her's Business Impact Grant

For the past six years, Publish Her, a female-founded independent publisher, has awarded a $5,000 to a woman of color business owner. To qualify, you must be over 21 and a U.S. resident. Your business must have been in operation for at least one year, be 100% woman owned and generate at least $50,000 in revenue. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

28. She's Connected by AT&T

Launched in 2020, the grant awards $20,000 to one grand prize winner. To be eligible, your business must be woman-owned, have no more than 50 employees and be registered in the U.S. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

29. Pepper Startup Grant

The program is open to Black women or nonbinary business owners. Other eligibility requirements for this $5,000 grant include that you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident, plus your business must not have raised more than $500,000 in equity financing. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

30. The Startup Collective by Aveeno Pitch Competition

Started in 2021, the Startup Collective by Aveeno hosts an , which is open to Black female entrepreneurs in the Black haircare or skincare space. To apply, you must submit a short video about yourself and your business, as well as a brief essay outlining your business strategy. One winner receives a $100,000 grant.

31. National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge

Founded in 2017, the , presented by the National Black MBA Association, invites 10 finalists to compete in a pitch challenge each year. One grand-prize winner will be awarded $50,000 in , the second-place winner will receive $10,000 and the third-place winner will get $7,500. One business owner will receive the People's Choice $1,000 award. To be eligible, businesses must have at least one Black founder who has "equal stake" in the company and one member of the pitch challenge team must belong to the National Black MBA Association. Annual membership fees range from $15 to $200, depending on eligibility. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

32. DigitalUndivided's Breakthrough Program

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase's Advancing Black Pathways, is open to Black and/or Latina women. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, your business must have been registered for at least one year and generate a minimum of $50,000 in annual revenue. Selected winners will receive a $5,000 grant, a business mentor and access to DigitalUndivided's community of Black and Latina women entrepreneurs.

33. Power Forward Small Business Grant

A collaboration between VistaPrint, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and the NAACP, awards $500,000 in grants to Black-owned small businesses in the New England area. To be eligible, your business must employ between two and 25 people (including the owner), and be located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont or select parts of Connecticut. Each winner will receive a $25,000 grant. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

34. Tory Burch Foundation's Women of Color Grant Program

A partnership between the Fearless Foundation and the Tory Burch Foundation, the awards $10,000 - $20,000 grants to up to 75 businesses that are owned by women of color. To be eligible, businesses must be 51% woman of color-owned. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

35. Cartier Women's Initiative's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

The is open to entrepreneurs whose business focuses on closing access and opportunity gaps for underserved communities. To be eligible, your business must be a for-profit operation that was incorporated at least six years ago and has not raised more than $2 million in dilutive funding. The next Awards ceremony will be held in May 2024. The first-place winners receive $100,000 grants, second-place winners get $60,000 grants and third-place winners get $30,000 grants.

36. Comcast RISE Investment Fund

The targets different cities with each funding cycle. In each new city, the program awards $5,000 grants. To apply, you must have been in business for at least three years and have 100 or fewer employees. This grant program was originally open exclusively to people of color and women, but has since expanded to all small business owners. Applications for the 2024 cycle are not currently open.

37. The Black Ambition Prize

The is open to Black and Hispanic individuals in the process of creating early-stage ventures in one of the following categories: consumer products and services; healthcare; media and entertainment; technology; and web 3.0. One grand prize winner is awarded $1,000,000, and 15 additional teams win between $15,000 and $250,000.

38. The Coramino Fund

The is an annual grant program open to Black and Latinx business owners. Fifty small businesses receive grants up to $10,000. To be eligible, your business must have been in operation for five years or fewer, and must employ no more than 30 people. The 2024 dates have not yet been announced.
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Free resources for Black women entrepreneurs

IFundWomen

, or IFW, helps female and female-identifying founders of any race or ethnicity find capital through crowdfunding and assists with coaching, networking and grant opportunities. The organization's grants hub aggregates grant opportunities for women with up-to-date application deadlines.

Amazon Black Business Accelerator

Black business owners with an Amazon Professional Seller account can sign up for the . Businesses will receive a $500 credit toward startup and operational costs for their Amazon Seller account; up to $3,000 in advertising credits; and a $1,000 Buy with Prime credit to offer shoppers fast, free shipping. Free business education, coaching and onboarding support are also offered.

Minority Business Development Agency

The (MBDA) is a federal agency that supports the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Much like the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, the MBDA has locations across the country where minority entrepreneurs can seek financial assistance and business consulting.

Grants.gov

is a portal where federal agencies offering grant programs — specifically for minority-owned businesses and otherwise — post information about their offerings, including eligibility requirements, funding amounts and application deadlines. You can look for a grant according to several search criteria, including your industry and the sponsoring federal agency.

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program

The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program is an assistance program that aids “economically and socially disadvantaged business owners” in securing government contracts.
Each year, the federal government aims to dedicate 5% of its annual contracting budget to small businesses that are owned and operated by underrepresented entrepreneurs via the . The Business Development Program provides entrepreneurs the support they need to win those contracts, including receiving one-on-one advising.

Female Founders Fund

If you’re a tech entrepreneur seeking early-stage funding opportunities, consider pitching the . The FFF invests in business-to-business, consumer, fintech and health care businesses that have at least one female founding member, and it primarily focuses on investing in seed-stage businesses. The fund averages six to eight investments per year, with investments ranging from $500,000 to $750,000.

BGV Emerging Leaders Fellowship

The program is open to women small-business owners who live in one of the following cities: Austin, Texas; Chicago; Los Angeles or New York City. Your business must have been operation for at least one year and must be revenue generating. Program participants receive $5,000 stipends and participate in a 12-week virtual development program. The application window closes on March 11, 2024, and the program runs from April 1 - June 20, 2024.

Sephora Accelerate

This annual is for beauty industry founders who are people of color. The next six-month program runs from January to June 2024. Selected participants will gain skills to help them build and run a successful beauty business.

Women’s Business Centers

Nationwide, there are more than 100 . Though most don’t make grants, they can help women business owners with coaching, classes and finding capital. 

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Alternatives to small-business grants for Black women

Business grants aren’t the right fit for every company. With their short application windows, relatively small funding amounts and competitive judging processes, grants can be limiting. 
Check out our lists of the and as you look for financing. Consider these other funding options for your business, too:
These loans of up to $50,000 are backed by the U.S. government and issued by nonprofit community financial institutions. Many microlenders offer training and other resources, which can be valuable to business owners. They also may be easier to qualify for than other types of financing if you’re a new or very small business.
Some businesses are able to raise money from customers and supporters — whether they know them or not. There are a variety of crowdfunding campaigns, from donation-based support to investments that you promise to pay back as your business grows, so you can choose one that’s right for you.
Credit cards can be useful for most businesses that are up and running because they let you keep up with everyday expenses even when your cash flow is uneven. You may be able to find a card that rewards your spending, too.
Funding for P2P loans can come from crowdfunding platforms like Kiva as well as well-established institutional investors. In general, though, they can be easier to qualify for than bank loans for new or small businesses. 
A line of credit may be a good choice if you need six figures in financing or more. These loans operate similar to credit cards: You borrow what you need to spend, pay your debt down over time, then borrow again up to your limit. Lines of credit may require at least a year in business to apply for, though.

Fund your dreams with a small-business loan

If grants aren't available for your business right now, check out NerdWallet's picks for the best small-business loans and compare your options.

A version of this article originally appeared on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.
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