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Small Business Grants for Women in Canada

Small business grants for women in Canada are usually tough to find. But not here.

Trust is the key to any relationship. Since 1998, WomensNet has earned trust by providing information on where to obtain grants, loans and other funding.  We also pride ourselves on being one of the very few hassle-free ways to obtain a small business grant on the web.

That’s right — our simple, straightforward application page won’t take a full day to complete.  And we won’t deny you if you’re not in a certain industry.  As long as you have a woman-owned business, are 18+ years of age and reside in Canada or the USA … you’re eligible for our grants.

How do they work?  Each month, we award one Amber Grant of $10,000. If you’re a monthly winner, you’re automatically eligible for our $25,000 year-end Amber Grant. In 2020, we awarded the most total grant money in our 22-year history.

Past winners include Krista Woods (GloveStix), who appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank shortly after earning a year-end Amber Grant. Maia Josebachvili (Urban Escapes) had her company acquired by LivingSocial after being awarded a grant.

It’s our mission to help you grow your woman-owned business. So please consider applying for a grant or sharing our site with friends or family members.

Finally, consider browsing the links below for info from sources like WBE Canada and Canada Business Network. These sites contain information on business planning, marketing, networking and so much more.  Without question, there are women across the country eager to help you and your business thrive.

Best of luck in your search.

Resources for businesswomen in Canada:

Canada Business Network
Phone: 1-888-576-4444

WBE Canada
Phone: 416-646-6233
Email: inquiries@wbecanada.org

Women of Influence
Phone: 1-877-208-4212
Email: info@womenofinfluence.ca

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.”