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Small Business Grants for Women in Connecticut

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

Have you ever pursued grants for your woman-owned business? A Google search will bring up a lengthy list of sites. But most either look like scams or complicated government (Small Business Administration) sites.

We’re quite different. For 20+ years, WomensNet has helped women like you find legitimate 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 is a key resource.

A simple place to start is with our Amber Grant for Women. Business women from Connecticut (and all across North America) are eligible to apply for this monthly $10,000 grant.  If you’re a recipient, you’re automatically eligible for our $25,000 year-end Amber Grant.

That’s right — someone will be awarded a total of $35,000 in grant funds this year. Just think about how that would elevate your business.

After you’ve applied for our grant, please take some time to review the resources listed below. There are people in Connecticut eager to help women business owners just like you. Good luck in your search.

Resources for businesswomen in Connecticut:

Fairfield County and Greater Bridgeport SCORE
111 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
Ph: (203) 831-0065

Greater Hartford SCORE
280 Trumbull Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT, 06103
Ph: (860) 519-5851

New Haven SCORE
110 Washington Ave., 3rd flr.,
North Haven, CT
Ph: (203) 234-6305

Northwest Connecticut SCORE
333 Kennedy Dr, Torrington, CT 06790
Ph: (860) 482-6586

Southeastern SCORE
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce
1 Main Street
Ph: (860) 388-9508

Western Connecticut SCORE
155 Deer Hill Avenue City Hall, Danbury, CT 06810
Ph: (203) 794-1404

Women’s Business Development Council
184 Bedford Street, Suite 201, Stamford, CT 06901
PHONE: (203) 353-1750
E-MAIL: dokeefe@ctwbdc.org

University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center
50 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105-2280
PHONE: (860) 768-5681
E-MAIL: sbaowboct@hartford.edu

Small Business Development Center of Connecticut
2131 Hillside Road
Suite 3026 Tasker Building, Storrs, CT 06269
PHONE: (855) 4CT-SBDC
E-MAIL: info@ctsbdc.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.

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.”