Funding Women’s Entrepreneurial Dreams: How to Apply for the $10,000+ WomensNet Amber Grant
Women entrepreneurs represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the small business economy, yet access to capital remains one of the largest hurdles to scaling. If you are looking for flexible, non-dilutive funding for your business, the WomensNet Amber Grant offers one of the most accessible funding programs in the country.
Founded in 1998 to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl—a young woman who passed away at 19 before achieving her entrepreneurial dreams—the Amber Grant awards over $30,000 every single month to women-owned businesses, capped by $50,000 year-end grants.
Here is a complete guide to understanding the Amber Grant program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
What Is the Amber Grant Program?
Unlike single annual grant programs, WomensNet awards multiple grants every month, giving applicants year-round funding opportunities.
When you complete one single application, your business is automatically considered for every monthly and annual grant category for which you qualify:
Monthly Amber Grant ($10,000): Awarded to one woman-owned business every month.
Monthly Startup Grant ($10,000): Specifically designated for businesses in the idea stage or early-stage businesses with less than $10,000 in revenue.
Monthly Business Category Grant ($10,000): Awarded to businesses within specific rotating industries each month (e.g., Skilled Trades, Health & Wellness, E-commerce, Marketing).
Year-End Amber Grants ($50,000 each): Three monthly grant winners from throughout the year are selected to receive an additional $50,000 cash award at year's end.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The Amber Grant program is built to be inclusive, supporting women at every stage of their business journey:
Ownership: Your business must be at least 50% owned and operated by a woman(or women).
Location: Open to businesses based in the United States or Canada.
Age Requirement: The applicant must be18 years of age or older.
Stage of Business: Open to all stages—from pre-revenue ideas and early startups to established small businesses and women-led nonprofits.
Why the Application Stands Out: Simplicity Over Red Tape
Many grant applications require dense financial statements, 20-page business plans, or complex scoring rubrics. The Amber Grant focuses on the founder and the passion behind the mission.
The Application Requires Only Two Primary Narrative Prompts:
Tell us about your business or business idea.
Tell us what you would do with the money if awarded a grant.
Quick Application Facts:
No Business Plan Required: You do not need formal financial projections to apply.
Application Fee: There is a standard $15 application fee per submission (fee waivers are available via email request at
[email protected]for those experiencing financial hardship).One & Done Application: You only submit one application form, and WomensNet's system automatically enters you into all eligible grant pools for that cycle.
How Selection Works & Key Deadlines
Monthly Deadlines: Applications are accepted continuously. The cutoff for each month's grant pool is11:59 PM Eastern Time on the last day of the month.
Review Process: The WomensNet team reviews applications daily, narrowing submissions down to monthly finalists before selecting winners.
Winner Announcements: Monthly winners are announced by the 21st of the following month.
Year-End Automatic Entry: If your business wins a $10,000 monthly grant, you automatically qualify for one of the $50,000 Year-End Amber Grants.
Ready to Submit Your Application?
If $10,000 (or $50,000) in non-dilutive capital could help launch your startup, buy equipment, or scale your operations, don't wait for the next monthly deadline.
