Don't miss the deadline.    Apply now >

X
Sign Up For Free Grant Tips

Small Business Grants for Women in North Carolina

Need a grant for women-owned business in North Carolina?

A Google search will bring up a long list of sites that offer some grants for women. But most either look like scams or complicated government (Small Business Administration) sites.  Endless forms and applications that ask personal questions and demand financial records.  That’s not us.

We’re different. WomensNet can help you find real grants, loans, and other funding for your business venture. Yes, you’re still going to have to put in some hard work and time. But if you’re serious about getting your business to the next level, you’ll find our site a big help.

A simple place to start is with our Amber Grant for Women. Business women from North Carolina (and all around America) are eligible to apply for this grant. Our judges award this $10,000 Amber Grant every month – so today would be the perfect time to apply.  And if you’re one of our 12 monthly winners — you’re automatically eligible to win our $25,000 year-end grant.  That’s $35,000 in grant money in less than a year.

After you’ve applied for our grant, please take a bit of time to check out the resources below. There are folks in North Carolina waiting to help women business owners just like you!

Resources for businesswomen in North Carolina:

Asheville SCORE
151 Patton AvenueFederal Building, Room 259, Asheville, NC 28801
Ph: (828) 271-4786

Chapel Hill SCORE
104 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Ph: (919) 968-6894

Charlotte SCORE
6302 Fairview RoadSuite 300, Charlotte, NC 28210
Ph: (704) 344-6576

Coastal Carolina SCORE
3615 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ph: (252) 222-6126

Greensboro/Highpoint SCORE
1451 S. Elm-Eugene Street, Suite 2306, Greensboro, NC 27406
Ph: (336) 333-5399

Outer Banks SCORE
101 Town Hall Drive Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Ph: (252) 441-8144

Raleigh SCORE
300 Fayetteville St., Suite 440,
Century PO Bldg, Raleigh, NC 27602
Ph: (919) 856-4739

Sandhills SCORE
10677 Hwy 15-501 Moore County Chamber of Commerce
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Ph: (910) 692-3926

Western NC SCORE
140 4th Avenue West Federal Building, Room 108
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Ph: (828) 693-8702

Wilmington SCORE
4010 Oleander Drive, Browning Plaza II, Suite 6
Wilmington, NC 28403
Ph: (910) 452-5395

North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development
114 West Parrish Street, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919.956.8889
Email: institute@ncimed.com

North Carolina Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs
175 BPW Club Road, Carrboro, NC 27510

Small Business Development Center
5 West Hargett St, Suite 600, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 715-7272

What is an Amber Grant?

WomensNet launched the Amber Grant in 1998 to honor the memory of an ambitious young woman who died at the age of 19, before she could realize her entrepreneurial aspirations. Today, these grants help women like you fulfill the dreams that Amber could not.

How Does It Work?

Every month, WomensNet judges award one or more Amber Grants of $10,000 each. Then, at the end of the year, one of those grant recipients is selected to receive the $25,000 Amber Grant.

How Do I Apply?

By telling us your story. There are no lengthy, complicated documents to complete; just answer a few questions about your business. But hurry—applications are due by the end of the month for the next $10,000 Amber Grant.

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

“The Foundation awards $10,000 to a different women-owned business every month. At the end of each year, one of the 12 grant winners is awarded an additional $25,000.”

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.”

Fundera

“The Amber Grant Foundation was launched in 1998 to honor the memory of a young woman. The grant was formed to help women entrepreneurs reach their goals when Amber could not.”

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.”