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.
Here’s a great and simple way to start — apply for our Amber Grant for Women. Businesswomen from Chicago (and all across America) can easily apply for this grant. Our judges pick a $10,000 Amber Grant recipient each month – and if you win, you’re automatically eligible for our $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
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.
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:
- 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
- Corporate foundations
- Civic foundations
- Private foundations
- 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
- By Geographic Location (city, state, region)
- By field of interest or program subject
- In your state
- Your type of organization
- Your subject
- The type of support you need
- Your size project
- 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
Get application & business ideas on the WomensNet blog »
