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Small Business Grants for Women in Tennessee

It’s not impossible to find small business grants for women in Tennessee … but it’s not easy either!

Let’s face it, banks and investors aren’t lining up to give women free money to start or expand their  businesses.

But now for the good news: You’ve hit on a site that has helped women find funding for their business dreams since 1998.  Sure, it’s still going to take time and effort on your part. But if you’re a motivated woman business owner, we’re positive we can help.

For starters, yes, WomensNet offers grants to women businesses in Tennessee (as well as all across the United States). We award a $10,000 grant every month, and it’s called the Amber Grant for Women. It’s simple to apply, and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to do so now.  If you are a monthly recipient — you also become automatically eligible to win our year-end $25,000 grant.  So for a few minutes of your time, you can come away with $35,000 in funding for your woman-owned business.

It’s also worth your while to check out the resources below.  Tennesseans across the state are pitching in to help small business women owners like you!  There’s no reason you shouldn’t take the opportunity to get a helping hand with your business.

Resources for businesswomen in Tennessee:

Chattanooga SCORE
5726 Marlin Road Franklin Building, Suite 515, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Ph: (423) 553-1722

Greater Knoxville SCORE
412 North Cedar Bluff Road Suite 450, Knoxville, TN 37923
Ph: (865) 692-0716

Nashville SCORE
2 International Plaza, Nashville, TN 37217
Ph: (615) 736-7621

SCORE Memphis
5100 Poplar Avenue Suite 1701, Memphis, TN 38137
Ph: (901) 544-3588

Small Business Development Center
3050 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
1-877-898-3900

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.”