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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 ($50,000).

So, telling us about your business and future dreams could land you $60,000 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: (800) 634-0245

San Fransisco & East Bay SCORE
5627 Telegraph Ave ste. 133 Oakland, CA, 93609
Ph: (510) 273-6611

Capital Corridor Area SCORE
6501 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, CA 95610-5017
Ph: (916) 720-9990

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

North Coast SCORE
PO BOX 6083, Santa Rosa, CA, 95406
Ph: (707) 260-3077

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

San Diego SCORE
Virtual Only

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

SCORE Los Angeles
Virtual Office Only
Ph: (800) 634-0245

SCORE Long Beach/South Bay
4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 120, Long Beach, CA, 90815
Ph: (800) 634-0245

Ventura County SCORE
2880 Cochran, St #1118, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Ph: (805) 204-6022

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

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

Small Business Development Center of California
Visit website for location specific contact

Does WomensNet Offer Amber Grants to Women In My State?

Yes!! We’ve been awarding business grants and resources to women in all 50 states (and Canada) since 1998. Each month, we select three $10,000 Amber Grant winners. And at the end of the year, every monthly winner becomes eligible for one of three $50,000 Year-End Grants — the largest in our history!

How Does It Work?

t’s simple. Submit your application, and our WomensNet judges personally review every one. Winners are announced the following month, by the 23rd. At year’s end, we select three additional $50,000 grant recipients from among all our 2025 winners. That means you could receive up to $60,000 in total funding. All from one quick, two-question application.

How Do I Apply?

Just tell us your business story. There are no lengthy forms or complicated requirements. Simply answer two questions about your business and vision. But please don’t wait. Applications close at the end of each month for all three of this month’s $10,000 Amber Grant opportunities.

Apply Now

Watch videos from our Past Grant Winners

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 »

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.”