Business Category Grant
This monthly grant provides $10,000 to women entrepreneurs in various business categories, with the opportunity to compete for a larger $25,000 grant at the end of the year.
Description
WomensNet’s Business & Organization Specific Category Grant provides monthly funding of $10,000 to women-owned businesses that fall within designated industry categories. This program operates as part of the larger Amber Grant framework and offers targeted financial support to help businesses in specific sectors gain traction and grow. Each month, a different business category is highlighted, and eligible businesses in that category are considered for the award.
The specific categories covered each year are distributed as follows: January is for Skilled Trades, February covers Health, Fitness & Wellness, March is for Food & Beverage, April focuses on Sustainability, May supports Mental & Emotional Support, June is for Business Support Services, July includes Animal Services, August is for Hair Care & Skincare, September supports Education & Child Care, October includes Creative Arts, November is for STEM, and December wraps up with Fashion & Interior Design. Businesses operating in these sectors are encouraged to apply during the corresponding month to be considered for the $10,000 grant.
Applying is straightforward—submission of a single Amber Grant application automatically qualifies a business for the relevant monthly category grant, as well as additional funding opportunities including the $10,000 Startup Grant, the quarterly $10,000 Non-Profit Grant, and the specialized Marketing Grant. No repeated applications are necessary. Furthermore, recipients of monthly grants are automatically entered into the running for a $25,000 Year-End Grant awarded to the top candidate in each of the Amber Grant and Category Grant programs.
The grant is designed to be accessible and is awarded based on a compelling story, the business’s potential, and alignment with the month’s focus category. This approach enables women entrepreneurs across a broad spectrum of industries to secure funding without excessive administrative barriers.
Past winners demonstrate the diversity of supported ventures, such as Flour and Salt Bakery LLC, the Food & Beverage category winner for March 2025. This program supports innovation, resilience, and growth among women-led businesses by recognizing and investing in their unique contributions across key economic sectors.