Loans and Grants for Women Business Owners

Dec 29, 2020 | Finance, Funding

You are a woman business owner and there are many things for you to focus on — especially how to find money for your business so it can grow and thrive. There are funding sources out there specifically target women entrepreneurs. Learn about these options to see where to go for loans, scholarships, and other sources of funding.

Small Business Administration (Office of Women’s Business Ownership)

(https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/women-owned-businesses) – The SBA is doing more than ever to help level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. At every stage of developing and expanding a successful business, the Office of Women’s Business Ownership is here to counsel, teach, encourage and inspire.

Nerd Wallet

(https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/small-business-grants-for-women) – We all know that Nerd Wallet is the place to get our credit in order and make the right money moves. They have this list of solid resources for women business owners who are looking for funding or grants. While you are there, run some calculators to determine if you are saving enough or could benefit from a refinance.

Grants.gov

(www.grants.gov) – This United States Government resource provides information on other government agencies and what grants they have available. Search their database and see what may be available to you. Some of the agency grants listed on this site include The Food and Drug Administration, National Park Service, Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Administration, and the DOT Department of Transportation.

American Association of University Women

(www.aauw.org) – This foundation is one of the largest private sources of funding for graduate women in the world, supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.

Eileen Fisher Grants for Women Business Owners

(http://www.eileenfisher.com) – This grant program seeks applicants from wholly women-owned businesses that combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability and innovation to take their established businesses to the next stage of their business plan.

SCAMS

You will encounter scams in the way of: telephone calls to entice you, infomercials that look like TV programs with celebrities, “You’re Invited” seminars that offer a big-time sales pitch. Don’t ever give out information like your credit card number or bank account number. Do ask questions (you’re entitled) and make sure you get the answers. Please be careful! Bookmark these resources so they are there when you need them:

Federal Trade Commission

(www.ftc.gov) this is the federal government’s complaint department. If you have been “taken” by a scam or suspect a scam, let this department know and they will investigate. Check here for other investigations that have led to scams and learn how to avoid them (link to Consumer Protection and follow to Internet & E-Commerce).

National Fraud Information Center

(www.fraud.org) a division of the non-profit National Consumers League, this site is dedicated to educating consumers about scams and how to avoid them. Check out the Internet Fraud Daily Report with up to the minute on-line scams.

North American Securities Administrators Association

(www.nasaa.org) any individual or organization who wishes to protect themselves from securities fraud will find the information on this site useful. Entrepreneurs will find valuable information on franchising and raising capital in the “Help for small business” section.

ScamBusters

(www.scambusters.org) keeps you posted on what to watch out for. This site has earned the Forbes “Best of the Web” designation and has also appeared in the print version of Forbes’ Best of the Web.