Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the US today, with their businesses generating nearly $120 billion annually, according to Wells Fargo. The same report estimates that if Black women received the same funding and mentorship opportunities as other groups—and closed the gender and racial wage gap—their businesses could add as much as $1.7 trillion to the economy.

For Black women entrepreneurs, business grants can help address systemic barriers to capital and open new opportunities for growth. Grants often also provide professional development and mentorship resources, plus opportunities to showcase your business to new audiences.

In this guide, you’ll learn strategies for applying for business grants and discover some of the more promising grants available to Black women business owners.

What is a business grant?

A business grant is funding or resources awarded to a business that it doesn’t need to repay. While many grants provide direct financial assistance, some offer support like professional development, networking, marketing promotion, and other non-monetary resources to help a small business succeed and thrive. 

Most business grants are application-based and competitive, with winners selected after a formal judging process. Applicants may need to provide written responses to questions alongside budgets and business plans or submit media such as photos, videos, or recorded pitches. Some grant programs take the form of fellowships that pair funding with mentorship and networking opportunities, while others are pitch competitions where business owners publicly present to judges for cash prizes.

Private companies, nonprofits, and government agencies may all offer business grants, often as part of mission-driven initiatives. Many grants focus on supporting business owners from underrepresented groups or helping small businesses reach specific milestones (e.g., hiring, tech adoption, professional development). Awarded grants often include restrictions on what funds can be spent on and may be tied to participation in programs or business platforms connected with the granting organization.

Tips for finding and applying to small business grants

• Search widely, but strategically
• Review the grant details
• Tailor your written responses
• Use documents and media to your advantage

Applying for your first small business grant can take time, but don’t get discouraged. The grant application process becomes easier as you build reusable material packets and apply to more grants.

Many grant applications ask similar questions—such as “Tell us about your business” or “What would you do with the award money?” Once you’ve written strong answers, save them. You’ll see these same questions come up in multiple applications.

Here are some practical tips you can use to strengthen your process:

Search widely, but strategically

Use online grant lists and trusted resources like Grants.gov and SBA.gov to find relevant opportunities. Local and state economic development agencies can also be good sources. Focus on grants for your business type, size, and location.

Review the grant details

Read each grant’s guidelines carefully to make sure you are eligible, especially for location, revenue, and business category. Look closely at grant deadlines—many websites aren’t updated regularly—and consider signing up for newsletters or alerts to learn about new deadlines.

Tailor your written responses

Let your writing reflect your voice and capture your passion for your business. Review the funder’s mission and values, and don’t be afraid to use similar vocabulary or reference the organization’s mission directly. Avoid using AI tools to write your answers—authenticity is more likely to stand out and emotionally connect with your audience.

Use documents and media to your advantage

Business plans, photos, and videos can set you apart by showing rather than telling your story. Play to your strengths: If you have a strong business and revenue model, spend extra time writing your business plan. If you have access to a professional photographer, take impressive photos of your products.

10 grants for Black women entrepreneurs

1. Amber Grants for Women
2. Wish Local Empowerment Program
3. HerRise MicroGrants
4. EmpowHer Grants
5. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant Program
6. Galaxy Grants
7. Pathway to Opportunity Competition
8. Fund Her Future Grant
9. She’s Connected AT&T Small Business Contest
10. NAACP Backing the B.A.R. Grants

Black women entrepreneurs have deep roots in the US—from financier and abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant (1814–1904) to cosmetics magnate and activist Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919). Today, many grant programs continue that legacy by helping Black and women business owners overcome barriers to capital and grow their businesses.

Here are 10 grants worth exploring:

1. Amber Grants for Women

• Amount: $10,000–$25,000

• Eligibility: Women-owned small businesses and startups in the US and Canada

• Application details: Simple form, no required documents, $15 fee

• Deadline: Last day of each month

WomensNet, an organization founded to support emerging female business leaders, offers three monthly Amber Grants to female-owned small businesses. One grant is for organizations in any category, including nonprofits, while the other two target startups and rotating categories (e.g., animal services in July and STEM in November). WomensNet also selects three of its yearly awardees for additional $25,000 grants. One application covers all three monthly grants.

2. Wish Local Empowerment Program

• Amount: $500–$2,000

• Eligibility: Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses in the US with fewer than 20 employees and annual revenue of less than $1 million

• Application details: Simple form, images required but video optional, no fee

• Deadline: Varies

Shopping app Wish offers grants on a rolling basis to Black entrepreneurs with physical stores in the US through its Wish Local Empowerment Program. There are no restrictions on how the awarded funds can be used. Grant recipients are required to join Wish Local for free and use the platform for their businesses.

3. HerRise MicroGrants

• Amount: $1,000

• Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in the US with annual revenue under $1 million

• Application details: Simple form, headshot, and business logo required, $15 fee

• Deadline: Last day of each month

Community and resources hub HerSuiteSpot offers monthly HerRise MicroGrants to support women-owned small businesses, particularly under-resourced women and women of color. Funds can be used for anything from computers and equipment to marketing materials or website creation. Nonprofits, franchises, and direct sellers are not eligible for the grants.

4. EmpowHer Grants

• Amount: $25,000 and training resources

• Eligibility: US female founders age 22 or older with socially conscious, revenue-earning businesses less than three years old

• Application details: Lengthy application questions, requires multiple documents and a background check, no fee

• Deadline: Quarterly, with applications open every January, April, July, and October

The Boundless Futures Foundation’s EmpowHer Grants program offers support to women-owned small businesses. Applicant businesses must make a clear social impact in one of these areas: poverty and hunger, sustainability and the environment, or strong communities. The grant award includes professional training in areas such as finance, marketing, leadership, and long-term planning.

5. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant Program

• Amount: $25,000 and additional resources

• Eligibility: Black-owned, for-profit businesses in the US

• Application details: Not fully disclosed

• Deadline: Annual, with applications generally closing in November

The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant awards grants, along with additional resources and support, to Black business owners. The grant generally coincides with the celebration of Black Entrepreneurs Day, created by entrepreneur and media personality Daymond John. Details about the grant and how to apply are generally released closer to the application deadline.

6. Galaxy Grants

• Amount: $2,000–$5,000

• Eligibility: Small businesses in the US owned by women and people of color

• Application details: Simple form, no fee

• Deadline: Varies

Galaxy of Stars and its nonprofit parent organization, Hidden Star, have offered the Galaxy Grants since 2016 for female- and minority-owned businesses, requiring a quick application with minimal requirements. The grants are available to entrepreneurs at any stage, from those just thinking about starting a business to those with years of experience.

7. Pathway to Opportunity Competition

• Amount: $1,250–$5,000, with networking and exposure opportunities

• Eligibility: Black-owned and other small businesses in the US

• Application details: Simple form, with a capability statement and a three-minute video about your business, no fee

• Deadline: Annual, deadlines vary

The Pathway to Opportunity Competition—formerly the National Black Business Pitch—invites business owners, CEOs, and majority shareholders to present their business in a national pitch competition. Applications are free and must include a brief marketing document outlining your business’s products or services (capability statement) and a video. Selected participants go on to compete in virtual and live stages of the competition, where they vie for cash prizes.

8. Fund Her Future Grant

• Amount: $10,000–$50,000, free tax support

• Eligibility: Women-owned, for-profit businesses in the US with no more than 20 employees

• Application details: Not fully disclosed

• Deadline: Annual, with applications generally closing in May

H&R Block and Hello Alice offer the Fund Her Future Grant to exceptional women-owned businesses, each year awarding a prize of $50,000 to one business, five runner-up prizes of $10,000, and free tax expertise and services for a year. Details about the grant and how to apply are generally released closer to the application deadline.

9. She’s Connected AT&T Small Business Contest

• Amount: $5,000–$50,000

• Eligibility: Women-owned businesses in the US with fewer than 50 employees

• Application details: Moderate number of questions, business ownership documents, no fee

• Deadline: Annual, with applications generally closing in September

Each year, AT&T awards $50,000 to one grand prize winner and $5,000 to four runner-up winners for women-owned small businesses. The She’s Connected Small Business Contest also includes free AT&T service for one year and a new device, as well as the opportunity to be involved in #ShesConnected featured content. 

10. NAACP Backing the B.A.R. Grants

• Amount: Varies

• Eligibility: Minority-owned businesses with or seeking a liquor license

• Application details: Not fully disclosed

• Deadline: Annual, with applications generally closing in May

The NAACP and spirits giant BACARDI award more than $100,000 in Backing the B.A.R. grants to minority-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and other small businesses that have or need a liquor license. The grants are designed to accelerate business growth and also offer educational and mentorship support.

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