Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a simple, straightforward process. The WomensNet Team reviews/evaluates grant applications daily and selects 5 monthly finalists.  We discuss each finalist and vote to determine a winner. We announce the finalists by the 15th of the month to follow, and the winner is announced by the 23rd.

Businesses selected for a monthly Amber Grant are automatically eligible for the year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).  While considering Voting results, updates from the monthly Amber Grant winners and other factors, we awarded the $25,000 in December 2021. You can view the 2020 announcement on this page.

WomensNet funds several women’s business grants throughout the year.  To be considered for all these grants, you only need to apply ONCE for the Amber Grant.  You’ll then be considered for all of the grants for which you’re eligible. You can see the list of all of our grants right here.

Businesses should be at least 50% women-owned for consideration. The business must be based in either the U.S. or Canada. And the applicant must be a minimum of 18 years old.

Yes, non-profits are eligible.

Our monthly deadline for submission is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the last day of each month.  Applications submitted after that will be eligible for the following month’s grant.

Once we receive your application, we’ll send an email confirmation. This email contains information on the process and a link to our exclusive marketing guide. Be sure to check your spam if you don’t see the email within a short time.

Our WomensNet Advisory Board ».

1. Your story. We’re looking for qualities like passion, business savvy, and vision. Women who believe in what they’re doing tend to make us believers, too.

2. Plans for growing/starting your business. We’re not looking for a formal business plan. Just some explanation of how you’ll achieve business success. It might include some mention of your market, your team, the things you’ve overcome so far, and the challenges you still face.

3. Plans for the grant money. Tell us how you would invest the money if you won. Be as detailed as you can.

You can view application tips here as well as sample feedback on many applications on our blog.

Grant winners aren’t limited to any “type” of business. We’ve had all kinds receive grants with a focus on everything from sunscreen to literacy programs. You can view our past recipients here.

Since the grants run on a month-to-month basis, applications for the $10,000 Amber Grant do not roll forward. The exception is if your business falls into any of our business-specific categories. Your application will be considered for each of those categories — which means you can be eligible for multiple opportunities to win a grant with one application. You can read about all of our grants here.

Yes, you can reapply, but you should only consider doing this when something significant has changed to your business model or circumstances that has positively impacted your company.

Our system will not allow a second application with the same email within 3 months. Beyond that, you can re-apply through the same application page.

You don’t. However, it’s very helpful if you provide a social media profile from your company — ideally Facebook.

The fee makes the grant and operation of the site — including reviewing each application, much like a college application — possible. If you would like us to consider waiving your application fee, please email us at info@ambergrantsforwomen.com

We do not provide individual feedback on applications.  We do, however, offer many sample application feedback articles on our blog ».

We mostly focus on Facebook, where we have a great community. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram.