10+ Funding Resources for Female Founders
We've spoken to many inspiring female founders over the years. But something we hear too often is how much they struggle to secure funding and investors. And BIPOC female founders are at an even bigger disadvantage.
But here's the good news: more women than ever are carving out their space in the lifestyle and CPG spaces, and there's a growing list of funding options to help them thrive. From investors and crowdfunding platforms to grants and small business loans, there are many resources to support your business.
Our mission has always been to help women succeed at every stage of their business journey. So today, we're sharing some fantastic funding options for women-owned businesses, as well as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented founders.
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
Every year, the Tory Burch Foundation selects 50 women for a year-long program to grow their businesses. This includes specialized workshops, mentorship & networking opportunities, expert guidance and a $5,000 business education grant for early-stage businesses.
Fund Her Future Small Business Grant
H&R Block's business grant provides funds & services to empower women-owned businesses that are making a difference in their communities. The first prize winner receives a grant of $50,000, while four additional finalists receive $12,500. All winners also receive access to a year of small business services, such as business structure analysis, bookkeeping, payroll and tax support from the experts at H&R Block.
Enthuse Foundation
Enthuse Foundation's annual pitch competition celebrates women making their mark on the food, beverage and CPG industries. The grand prize winner receives $15,000 in cash, free business services, marketing resources and business education to grow their business.
She’s Connected by AT&T
She’s Connected is an AT&T program designed to help women-owned small businesses. The winner of the program receives $50,000 to go toward their small business, one full year of AT&T service with a brand-new device and a feature episode on the #ShesConnected channel.
HerRise MicroGrant
The Yva Jourdan Foundation raises money to help women of color entrepreneurs gain access to the coaching, community and capital they need to grow their businesses. The HerRise MicroGrants provide $1,000 every month to under-resourced women entrepreneurs, which are typically used to purchase equipment, marketing materials, software or website creation.
Amber Grant
The Amber Grant by WomensNet gives away at least $30,000 every month to women-owned businesses. Beyond that, WomensNet is a community of entrepreneurial women who create unique resources to help other women business owners. They also provide consulting and personalized business advice to their community members.
SheaMoisture The Blueprint Grant
The Blueprint Grant by SheaMoisture is a funding and mentorship program that supports Black female founders in the beauty and creative industries. The grant is designed for culture drivers who will use the funds to fuel a project/initiative that forges paths for themselves and their community.
IFundWomen
IFundWomen is a crowdfunding platform specifically designed for women entrepreneurs. They provide immediate access to capital through their online fundraising experience, access to small business grants from their corporate partners, expert business coaching and a network of women who can support you in your business journey.
Backstage Capital
Backstage Capital invests in companies led by underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and queer founders. They’ve invested in 150+ companies, and their support goes far beyond financial investment. They offer open office hours to provide insights and support for businesses, and they also offer courses to teach everything you need to know about fundraising, valuations and more.
Cleo Capital
Cleo Capital is an early-stage VC fund that backs female founders at the pre-seed and seed stages. The venture capital fund supports and invests in Black women-owned businesses making their mark on the world. They also share tons of resources, events and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs to build and grow their businesses.
Female Founders Fund
Female Founders Fund launched in 2014 with one simple belief: women will build the companies of tomorrow. Since then, they've become a leading source of capital for female founders. Female Founders Fund has invested in major women-owned brands, such as Billie, Eloquii, Live Tinted, Rent the Runway, Winky Lux and Zola.
Black Girl Ventures
Black Girl Ventures aims to make capital, capacity and community more accessible. Their goal is to help female founders create business sustainability and intergenerational wealth for a more equitable society. Since 2016, Black Girl Ventures has funded over 450 women of color, held more than 50 pitch competitions and served over 10,000 founders.
Final Thoughts
Scaling your business can feel daunting, but these resources are here to help you grow and thrive. With the right support, your business dreams are entirely within reach.
Ready to elevate your brand even further? PR can play a big role in attracting investors and building trust in your business. Schedule a free consultation with Rani Public Relations, and let's make your vision a reality!
