Women have had a constant struggle for equality and have made tremendous strides. Yet many still have lower paying jobs and suffer from discrimination in the workplace. In fact, 75% of women make less money than their male counterparts, when fulfilling the same job. Government grants for women are designed to help lessen this inequality and give women opportunity through finances.

Grants are given to women in order to:

• Pursue college and/or higher education
• Start a new business
• Expand or update and existing business
• Subsidize a low income household
• Subsidize personal or family need

Now more than ever women are receiving grants and starting up their own company or becoming a force to reckon with in their industry. In fact, according to the statistics of recent years, women make up nearly half of the population of new business owners each year; and are more likely to succeed in their venture than their male counterparts. How is that for incentive? If the only thing that has been holding you back has been money, than a grant is just what you need.

Below are just several of the grants, scholarships and foundations that give financial aid to women.

Business Grants for Women

The Amber Grant
This is a small grant of $500-$1000 that is awarded to women starting up their own business. The money is intended for use in essential start-up costs.

The Women’s Financial Fund
This grant program gives money to new and existing businesses owned by women. New businesses can receive from $100-$500 for start-up costs, and existing businesses could be eligible for $1,000 to $5,000.

College Grants for Women

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Grant
This grant is available to women in their 3rd and 4th year s post-secondary studies in sciences or maths. Students must be ‘outstanding’ with a relatively high GPA.

The American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation
The foundation offers a variety of awards and scholarships to women to better equip them in the financial field. These funds are for individuals attending 2-year or 4-year college or university finance or accounting programs.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
This educational foundation has been one of the most influential in providing women with the financial resources they need to pursue post-secondary studies. Over the years they have come to acquire an extensive database of grants, scholarships and fellowships for the US female population. In 2008 alone, they provided approximately $4.5 million in funding for more than 250 fellowships, grants, and special awards to outstanding women.