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Small Business Grants for Women in California

Searching for small business grants for women in California?  We’re giving away three this month.

Did you know that California leads all states in start-up businesses by women?  Maybe that’s why you landed on this website.  You’re a woman small business owner looking for a startup grant, loan or other funding.

So — where to begin?

We suggest our Amber Grants for Women. We give out THREE of these grants every month. Business women from California (and all around America) have won these monthly $ 10,000 grants in our 25-year history.

And our judges are days away from awarding this month’s winner – so right now is the perfect time to apply.  Best of all:  If you win one of the THREE $10,000 monthly Amber Grants, you’re automatically eligible for a year-end Amber Grant ($25,000).

So, telling us about your business and future dreams could land you $35,000 in grant money. Just imagine what that would mean for your business.

WomensNet isn’t just a source of startup and small business grants for women

Unlike other sites — spammy-looking sites, or overwhelmingly complicated government sites — we’re small enough to care.

We help you find legit sources for grants, loans, and other funding for your woman-owned business.  Sure, it’ll take some work on your part to pursue the money to grow your business.  But since you’re looking for small business grants — we already know you take the life of your business seriously.

When you’re done applying for our grant, please consider the California business resources below.  California has some of the best resources in the country to help women entrepreneurs.  Good luck and best wishes on your business venture.

Resources for businesswomen in California:

Central Valley SCORE
​801 R Street, Suite 201, ​Fresno, CA 93721
​Ph: (559) 487-5605

Coachella Valley SCORE
73-733 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Ph: (760) 773-6507

East Bay SCORE
P.O. Box 429, Alameda, CA 94501
Ph: (510) 273-6611
Email: info@eastbayscore.org

Capital Corridor Area SCORE
6501 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, CA 95610-5017
Ph: (916) 720-9990
Email: sacinfo@scorevolunteer.org

Inland Empire SCORE
3985 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
Ph: (951) 652-4390

Modesto/Merced SCORE
1114 J St C/O C of C, Modesto, CA 95354
Ph: (209) 577-5757

Central Coast SCORE
826 Bay Ave #543, Capitola, CA 95010
Ph: (831) 621-3735
Email: central.coast@scorevolunteer.org

North Coast SCORE
PO BOX 6083, Santa Rosa, CA, 95406
Ph: (707) 571-8342

Orange County SCORE
1415 S. Main St., PO BOX 2446, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Ph: (714) 550-7369
Email: cs.manager@scorevolunteer.org

San Diego SCORE
8825 Aero Dr Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92123
Ph: (858) 283-1100
Email: score0140@scorevolunteer.org

San Francisco SCORE
455 Market Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105
Ph: (415) 764-4964
Email: SFScore@ScoreVolunteer.org

San Luis Obispo SCORE
PO Box 5416, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93403
Ph: (805) 547-0779

Santa Barbara SCORE, 924 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Ph: (805) 367-3292
Email: info.sb@scorevolunteer.org

SCORE Los Angeles
312 North Spring Office, Suite 537, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Ph: (800) 634-0245
Email: office.0009@scorevolunteer.org

Ventura County SCORE
2880 Cochran, St #1118, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Ph: (805) 204-6022
Email: admin.0255@scorevolunteer.org

Silicon Valley SCORE
C/O San Jose Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 149, San Jose, CA, 95103
Ph: (408) 453-6237
Email: SiliconValley@scorevolunteer.org

Professional Business Women of California
2261 Market #1600, San Francisco, CA 94114-1600
PHONE: (415) 857-2923
E-MAIL: info@pbwc.org

Small Business Development Center of California
550 East Shaw, Suite 105A, Fresno, CA 93710
PHONE: (559) 241-7414

Helpful links for women in California:

Does WomensNet Offer Amber Grants to Women In My State?

Yes!! We've been offering business resources and grants to women in all 50 states (and Canada) since 1998. We have three different $10,000 Amber Grant winners EVERY month... Plus at the end of the year, each Amber Grant winner for that year is eligible for an additional $25,000 grant!

How Does It Work?

Submit your application. Our WomensNet judges review every application. Then we announce the three $10,000 Amber Grant winners the following month by the 23rd. At the end of the year, we award THREE more $25,000 grants -- chosen from our previous monthly grant winners for this year. That means you have the opportunity to receive $35,000 from WomensNet by filling out one two-question grant application.

How Do I Apply?

Simple. By telling us your story. There are no lengthy, complicated documents to complete. Just answer two questions about your business. But hurry—applications are due by the end of the month for all three of this month's $10,000 Amber Grant opportunities.

Apply Now

Watch videos from our Past Grant Winners

 
GloveStix
 
Vanessa Bouche of Savhera

Not Sure Where to Start?

You’re in luck. We’ve done hours of research and compiled a list of the 16 best small business grants available for women today—and we’d love to share it with you!

Enter your email to receive a FREE copy of our special report,
“16 Terrific Grants for Women Business Owners.”

Six steps you should take when looking for a business grant:

1. Analyze your organization's needs. Make sure you have a solid understanding of the:
  • Problem or need you want to address
  • Audience that will benefit from your product or service
  • Kind and amount of support you need
  • Resources and commitment your group brings to the project
  • Potential and prospective partners in the community
2. Research various types of foundations. Learn the operational differences between:
  • Corporate foundations
  • Civic foundations
  • Private foundations
3. Look for funding matches. Identify funders who:
  • Are able and likely to fund projects in your geographic area
  • Share a similar core mission or goals
  • Have already supported similar ventures or projects
4. Compile a list of prospects. Group them in two ways:
  • By Geographic Location (city, state, region)
  • By field of interest or program subject
5. Review and refine your list. Eliminate prospects that DON’T FUND:
  • In your state
  • Your type of organization
  • Your subject
  • The type of support you need
  • Your size project
6. Select the most appropriate funding prospects. Research them in detail:
  • Contact them directly to request annual reports and other publications
  • Search print and online media to identify projects that received grants in the past
  • Ask former grant recipients for advice and why they felt they were successful over other applicants
WNN Blog Get application & business ideas on the WomensNet blog »
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You could join this group of past grant recipients.

Apply today for the $25,000 Amber Grant

Whether you’re starting or growing a business, WomensNet can help.

Apply Now >

What people are saying about WomensNet

Forbes

“You have to be in it to win it...seize the opportunity and apply.”

Nerd Wallet

“Every month, WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses. At the end of each year, monthly grant winners are eligible to receive one of three $25,000 annual grants.”

Score

“Launched 20 years ago this grant honors the memory of a young woman who wanted to be an entrepreneur but died at age 19 before she could achieve her goal.”

CNN

“The Amber Grant offers three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses each month. Then, at the end of each year, WomensNet gives an additional $25,000 to three grant winners from that year.”

Essence Magazine

“This organization offers monthly grants of up to $10,000 to support female entrepreneurs starting businesses. Those who qualify for these grants are also in the running for a yearly $25,000 grant.”

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