Small Business Grants for Women in Chicago

Small business grants for women in Chicago are scarce. We’re changing that…

You’d think it’s nearly impossible to find a legit small business grant for women anywhere online. A quick Google search will get you a long list of sites to check out. But a lot of these sites either look shady or they’re way too complicated government-run sites — agencies that typically give out large grants to women business owners, but only if you’re in the tech sector.

That’s not what we’re about.

WomensNet can help you find real grants, loans, and other funding for your small business. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. You’re going to have to put in some hard work and time. But if you’re serious about growing a successful business, you’ll find our site is a big help.

We give THREE $10,000 women’s business grants each month

Here’s a great and simple way to start — apply for our Amber Grants for Women. Businesswomen from Chicago (and all across America) can easily apply for these grants. Our judges pick a trio of $10,000 Amber Grant recipients each month – and if you win, you’re automatically eligible for one of our THREE $50,000 year-end Amber Grant. That means you could be awarded $60,000 this year by completing your application today.

After you’ve applied, please read about the resources below. There are businesspeople in Chicago waiting to help women business owners just like you.

Resources for businesswomen in Chicago:

Chicago SCORE
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1150
Chicago, IL, 60661
PHONE: (312) 353-7724
EMAIL: info@scorechicago.org

Professional Women’s Club of Chicago
4210 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641
PHONE: 312-263-1808
EMAIL: admin@pwcc.org

National Association of Women Business Owners

Helpful links for women in Chicago:

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

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

What people are saying about WomensNet

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”