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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 $25,000 year-end Amber Grant. That means you could be awarded $35,000 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 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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