Grants For Women

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

Small Business Grants for Women

If you’re looking to start a new business, fund a nonprofit or further your educational research, there are plenty of grants created just for women that can assist you in pursuing your goals

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.

Business grants for women may focus on specific aspects of the corporate world like entrepreneurship or women-owned businesses. The U.S. Small Business Association provides incentives to help women business owners. Some organizations recognize leaders in their fields or individuals who contribute to the advancement of women in a profession like the Individual Awards from the Society of Women Engineers. There are also several non-profit organizations award grants to help women help themselves.

Below are some examples of grants available to women:

Mott Foundation Grant

This grant from the Mott Foundation is for women who want to enhance their education for the purpose of being more effective in the democratic community. Women who want to be involved in both governmental and non-governmental organizations can apply for this grant, as can women who want to start a nonprofit organization.

Women who want to start a water conservation program or an initiative to preserve the environment in their area are also eligible for the Mott Foundation Grant, as are women who seek to improve the educational systems in their cities or states.

If you’re looking to start a new business, fund a nonprofit or further your educational research, there are plenty of grants created just for women that can assist you in pursuing your goals[/caption]

Applicants must submit a letter or intent and formal proposal for this grant; the amount of the grant varies.

Levi Strauss Foundation Grant

The Levi Strauss Grant for women awards funds to those who are dedicated to promoting worker’s rights. Women who are committed to educating their communities about the prevention of HIV/AIDS are also eligible to receive the Levi Strauss Grant. Women around the world are able to apply for the grant. Depending on the purpose of the grant, women can be awarded anywhere between $250 and $458,667.

Global Fund for Women

A grant from the Global Fund for Women helps to advance the efforts of promoting human rights for girls and women. The grant is designed for women who are running human rights or community advancement organizations outside of the U.S., and the application is offered in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

Grants from the Global Fund for Women are between $500 and $30,000. Detailed proposal letters and applications are due between September 15 and December 15, or between March 15 and June 30. Applicants are notified of their award by May 31 or November 30.

The Amber Grant

The Amber Grant 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 Grant Program

The Women’s Financial Fund 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

Before 1975, more men attended college than women. Today, approximately 25 percent more women attend college than men. Despite increased enrollment, women are still underrepresented in several fields including engineering, computer science and the physical sciences. College-educated women in the workforce earn approximately 75 percent as much as their male counterparts. Minority women fill more lower-paying occupations. Less than 15 percent of women are in management and business and only 7 percent are in higher-paying fields like engineering and computer science. Minority women are least represented in these fields. To help close the gaps between men and women in the workforce the government, non-profit and corporate institutions have set aside grants and awards for women.

If you are a woman in college visit our page about college grants for women.

If you are a woman seeking graduate grants visit our page on graduate grants for women.